Christmas 2012

 Christmas was great this year!  It was perfectly calm and entertaining all in one.  We really enjoy that we don't have to travel 25+ hours to visit our families and can enjoy the days leading up to and after in our home and surrounding!

We spent Christmas Eve at Nana and Grandads for the traditional pancake dinner.  It was nice to be able to walk next door and enjoy the evening with them, Kimberlee, and Chris.

The next morning the kids were up super early, but we didn't do presents until about 8:30, which was nice.  We took turns opening and giving gifts and it was perfect.  I think everyone was pleased in both what they gave and what they got.

We were glad to be able to have Chris here with us as well.  He doesn't have any family here in Texas, except the Smith family!!  We enjoy his personality and Jag loves Chris the most!

Dave and Evan got a remote control helicopter, thanks to Uncle Shane for picking it up.  We had one from last year, but it broke and was not repairable, so this was a fun replacement.

Austin was happy on Christmas day and was quite enjoyable.  His favorite gift has got to be the Rubiks cube.  He has spent hours perfecting his technique and can currently solve it in under 2 minutes consistently.  He's going for 90 seconds!

After presents at home and a quick stop over at Nana and Grandads (forgot the camera :( ) we headed up to Park City to see Grandma Libby, Grandpa Irv, and Aunt Vicky and Jim and their kids.  We had an adventure trying to get our Texas 2 wheel drive Suburban up her extremely steep driveway packed with snow.  It took an extra hour to get chains on and unstuck twice, but we made it!!

Aunt Vicky and Grandma Libby surprised McKinley with an American Girl doll.  She named her Tori and they have been together 24/7 since Christmas.  Everyone was spoiled with another round of gift giving and sharing.

After all the gifts were done we were ready to eat.  We had our traditional leg of lamb, roasted root vegetables, and peas.  Dessert was a feast of cheesecake, key lime pie, and apple pie with ice-cream.

The day ended with everyone very satisfied and tired and ready for bed.  It was an awesome Christmas!

Progressive Dinner - Smith family

 Each Christmas we have a progressive dinner with the Smith family.  We go from house to house eating and visiting!  This year we started out with appetizers at Grandads and Nanas, then salad at our house, main course at Mike and Mischele's and down to Chad and Cynthia's for dessert. 

There's a lot of shoes when you get the whole family together!

Darla and Brady were tinkering on the piano and I had them stop for a picture.

It's so much fun to visit with all the Smith family.  We truly enjoy each others company and getting together to eat yummy stuff!  It was another successful progressive Christmas dinner.

Austin's Eagle Project

Austin decided he wanted to gather donations for Big Brother Big Sister's of Utah.  He had a used toy and clothing drive that would then be donated to their thrift store to raise money to promote the program.  He had to get approvals from the scouting district and the corporate center for Big Brother Big Sister.  He then had to design and distribute a flyer, organize a pick up night, and finally make transportation arrangements for the donation.  It was a great display of leadership and project management for him to do this all on his own (plus great friends, family and neighbors who contributed!)

 On the night of the pick up there were "teams" of boys assigned to different areas on the map and they went out to gather all the donations from the neighborhood.

 These were the friends who were around when I got the camera out.  There were also ward members and family members who helped out in so many ways.  Thanks to everyone!

 The Suburban was packed to the gills and there are still some donations here at the house to be delivered in a second run.  What a great drive...they were so happy to get so much right around the holidays.  Good job Austin!

Pearson Christmas Party 2012

The annual Pearson Christmas party was held on Saturday, December 16th.  We had a good gathering of Pearson decedents there this year.  It's always a good time to catch up with those you don't see very often and to visit with all of our family members.  This year there was also a talent portion of the evening where Ethan played his violin and McKinley and Evan played piano pieces.  There were games and a coloring contest as well as lot of yummy food.  I didn't take too many pictures this year, but I did take a few.

 

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Santa delivered a present for each child at the end of the party.  Austin got some clothes, Ethan got a charger for his Kindle, Evan got a craft, and McKinley got a 2013 Calendar.  It was a fun evening and a great part of Christmas!

Twins Turn 7!!

                     Thanksgiving was also the 7th birthday for my nieces!  Happy Birthday girlies!

Thanksgiving 2012

 This year's Thanksgiving was peaceful and nice.  We got up early and headed up to Park City for some breakfast at Vicky's.  We were going to go up Wednesday evening, but instead Ashlee received her mission call and we were able to be there as she was called to serve in the Canada Montreal Mission!  We are so proud of her and her decision to serve a mission.  She will leave February 6th!

Breakfast was crock pot french toast which turned out pretty good.  The kids played and the adults cooked and watched football most of the day.  We had a very traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, smashed neeps, roasted brussel sprouts, rolls and gravy!  It was fantastic! 

 After dinner we played some games, took a nap, and watched some more football.  Then it was time for pie...pumpkin and apple a la mode!  Yum!

All in all it was a great Thanksgiving day.  We were able to spend it with some of my favorite people...my family!

I am grateful to reflect upon all the goodness in my life.  I have four great kids that really try to do good things and be their best.  I have a sister who lives close in Park City and her family that makes me smile with their sillyness.  I have parents who love and support me in many different ways.  We have a warm home for the cold Utah winters and soft beds to sleep in.  We have a dog and a cat that love us unconditionally and greet me when I walk in the door.  I am able to work and also be home when the kids are home.  I am healthy and so are my kids.  My husband works hard and is a honorable man full of kindness and service to others.  I have in laws next door and many extended family members who live close.  I could go on and on, but....

Happy Thanksgiving...and on to Christmas!

 

Happy Halloween!!

Last night we had a Halloween party at Nana's house.  We piggybacked on the neighborhood spook alley activity and really enjoyed it.  We had hot soups and chili with rolls and a few treats too.  It was fun to get the kids together and see all the costumes for this year.  The spook alley was really well done and the fresh homemade donuts were divine!