Christmas in Las Vegas!!

For Christmas, we went to Emily's house in Las Vegas. Everyone was able to be there, except Ashley's family. We had lots of fun, although many got sick, so that was sad.

 On Christmas Eve, we read the Christmas story, from the Bible.

 Avery was demonstrating how Mary might have reacted, while in labor.

 The kids are patiently waiting to open presents. Mac was sick the whole visit. I didn't know Tripp was sick, but he threw up about 30 seconds after this picture was taken. He was very unenthusiastic about opening gifts, and he said he just wanted to go to sleep. so sad. So after a couple presents, he just went to bed. Poor kid.

 This is how he looked when opening presents. So sad, and a little funny. Although he was very happy to get his talking Woody doll that he'd asked for.

 The day after Christmas, we went on a little hike near Hoover Dam. Hey built this train track and tunnels to haul supplies while building the dam, then it was abandoned.

 The tunnels were pretty cool. Tripp loves trains, so he loved it!

 The next day, we went to the Bellagio to see the water show and a Christmas display that was inside.

Every year, we choose a country to highlight for Christmas dinner. We did France this year. We had lots of yummy food. Cheese fondu for the appetizer, for dinner we had prime rib, ratatouille (so yummy) and crème brulee for dessert (my favorite!!)
At night, we put the kids to bed and played games (telestrations is a new favorite). It was a fun little trip. I love hanging out with my family!

Thanksgiving in Spokane!

 We went to visit Ashley's family in Spokane for Thanksgiving. Stephanie and her family went also. It was a very nice trip. This first picture isn't Thanksgiving, I don't think. It's just Aspen and Nate eating some candy. I just really liked Aspen's face.

 Nate and Nate sort of spent a lot of time playing Clash of Clans on their tablets. But at least they were watching Luke, right?

 The ONLY picture I took of Thanksgiving. Dang it. It's Jen, Brad and Stephanie dishing up. While we finished preparing dinner, we sent the kids out to play. They were having a ball. Then, dinner was ready. And all of us adults looked at each other and decided to eat a peaceful, quiet Thanksgiving dinner. So we did. We totally let the kids all play while we ate in peace. It was so nice, actually. I was Thankful. I felt a little guilty. Then Tripp came in and wanted to eat. So he sat at the kids table alone for a while. It's odd, I know, but it was nice!

 Of course, the men had to watch football. But the kids wanted to watch Netflix, so Ashley turned it on in the office. I thought this sight was so funny. Six kids gathered around a little computer screen. But they were all happy. Funny kids.

 The day after Thanksgiving, we went to the Coeur d'Alene Resort to have brunch. I love that place. No giant desserts this time. Just normal brunch.

 Apparently Aspen was a little mad that we didn't order a Gooey.

 Me, Aspen, my sister Ashley, her daughter Halle.

Of course, the kids loved decorating sugar cookies. Sooo yummy. Tripp and Kate had a hart time NOT licking the knives. Or the top of the cookies.

Happy Halloween!

 Tripp thought it was so cool, because he was the first person in the entire parade at his school's Halloween parade. Aspen did not enjoy waiting for the parade to start:)

 Our old neighbors in SouthWeber did this every year. The whole cul de sac would sit around a bon fire and pass out candy. That way we didn't have to go to every house. Just to every lady sitting in a lawn chair around a fire.

 This one house does a little spook alley every year. It's mostly a spooky obstacle course through their garage. Tripp loves it! There is randomly a little boy dressed up as Luigi next to Tripp!

Aspen was too little for the spook alley. She had to settle for the blow up toy out side. In case anyone noticed: she's the same thing as last year. The little girl from Despicable Me. Lame. The garden gnome costume fell through. Next year, I'll be more on the ball.......

Aspen singing "Let It Go"

 

 

 

 

 

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Disneyland

A few weeks ago we went to Disneyland, California Adventure and Legoland with Nate's mom and sister, Natalie. We had so much fun!

 The Haunted Mansion was so cool. During Halloween, they change to inside to be the Nightmare Before Christmas. I was so impressed with how much work goes into that. Tripp loves that movie and he wore his Jack shirt that day. He was so excited. I was too!!

 Jack and Sally spend at least 5 minutes with every child. Jack was very funny and Sally was beautiful- despite them trying to make her look dead:) That was the highlight of Tripp's day.  Most of the other characters are a quick autograph and picture, but there was this special Jack and Sally thing for Halloween. (They also have a special Elsa and Anna thing where you have to get tickets in advance - they run out around 10am- if you even want to catch a glimpse of them in their little house. I peeked in the window and saw Elsa. We didn't go see a single princess. Maybe in a few years, when Aspen cares about them.)

 Tripp thought it was so funny how Tigger got on the ground to sign Tripp's book. Then he told us to "shhhh" because Aspen was asleep.

 After this, Tripp said "why did he use my head as a table?"

 This Buzz Lightyear ride was pretty cool. We went many times. We had to shoot at targets with a laser gun. Tripp loved it.

 Ok, so they advertise this special Frozen pre-parade special. We get there early. It's this: one float with Elsa, Anna, a fake Olaf and blasting 'Let It Go.' Maybe they are working on something cooler and it just takes some time. I don't know......

 The only princesses we saw. I'm excited to go again in a few years when Aspen will want to see them!

 

 He kept hugging the characters. It was cute. I think he thought they were really them. He was just so excited!

Oh man, I love this place. And it wasn't difficult with an 18 mo old. She just took naps in the stroller. They are very family friendly, of course. If one parent has to stay off the ride with a baby, you ask for a little ticket. Then the other parent gets to go to the front of the line after they switch off, along with 2 others in your party. So Tripp got to go on almost ever ride twice because of the parent pass. I can't wait to go again.