Utah Natural History Museum

The day after Christmas, we headed down to SLC to check out the newly opened Natural History Museum.  It is INCREDIBLE.  Seriously.  We spent all day there, and can't wait to go back.  Jaime and Tyler came with us, as well as Jack and my Mom.  It was a splendid day of exploration and education.

Harper and I had to take a time out halfway through and go to the snack bar for some refreshment...

Here's Uncle Tyler giving Jack a swirly:

One of my new fav photos:

Christmas Eve Eve, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day

I am warm and happy just looking at this photo of my little Harper with her Grandma Katherine and her sister, Margie.  Love these women.  Love that fireplace in that room of that house where so many, many, many Christmas memories reside.  I love that Carolyn went over and decorated Grandma and Grandpa's house exactly the way it looked every Christmas for a big party with the cousins.  All the cousins were there, and it was so nice.  Of course we missed Grandma and Grandpa (and most of my sibs), but the thing is, to me it felt like they were still there! As if I might look over and see Grandpa pop his dentures out at any moment, or Grandma would come around the corner to offer me more and more and more food...  I do miss them so much.  Anyway, it just made my Christmas to be with all my amazing cousins, aunts and Uncle Jerry.  I only wish I had taken more photos.

But here's Harper, riding a pig.

For Christmas Eve we did our traditional fondu feast, but we were treated to the company of my parents this year!  It was extra special to us, just as every moment together has been, knowing they'll be gone for a loooong time.

Merrymaking!

And now for the chocolate...

These pictures are all treasures to me!

And apparently now we skip to Christmas morning!  Here's Green Lantern!

I love overlooking the living room from the stairs as the chaos unfolds...

We actually let Harper sleep in.  Owen was so excited to bring her down and show her what Santa brought!  He is a very sweet older brother.

I so love the sleepy, happy faces of Christmas morning!

Jason grilled the bacon outside this year, which may have been our best move yet.  We really didn't want to smell like bacon for church.

The morning felt a little rushed, as church was held at 10 a.m, just as the Lego-building was getting good.  BUT, I can't think of anything more perfect than church services on Christmas day.  Even if I had to sit by myself and wrangle 5 rowdy children.  At least it was mostly singing, so Harper's shrieks went mostly unnoticed.

And then... back to playing.

And in the late afternoon, Grandma and Grandpa's house.  This year for Christmas my siblings and I gave my parents a set of costumes to do the Nativity with all the grandkids.  Everyone contributed costumes and props, and they were amazing.  Seriously cute.

Jaime and Blue.  Seriously, Harper and Blue were some cute little lambies.

Our first presentation of the Nativity with all the cousins was a little rocky, I won't lie.  But we will work on it next year, and by the time Mom and Dad get home, we'll have it perfected.  Ha.

The angel Gabriel delivers glad tidings of great joy.

The cast, minus a couple of sheep.

Oh, shepherds, you are so cute!

Later we enjoyed some beat-boxing from Bennett...

built more Legos...

and sat around talking all night.  Perfect.  The only thing missing: roaring fire.

The 3 Amigos, playing gameboy in the hall.

A very merry PROBAR Christmas! And other Christmas fun...

We are lucky that Jason works for a company that values fun, outdoor adventure, and does wonderful things for their employees.  Last week we were able to invite all our families to come ice skating at the Gallivan Center in SLC for ice skating and Starbucks hot cocoa.  It was absolutely delightful- the perfect holiday activity!  And Jake learned to skate!  Yay, Jake!

Nikki and Ali.

Jason and Jake.

The boys with Gabrielle.

Lawrence family! (minus Gracie...)

Nikolas and Jakie- such cute little cousins.

Jules and Sara take the ice.

Gracie, Owen and me.

Cami and Jessie.

Next we went to Trolley Square for dinner at the Spaghetti Factory...

Naughty Bennett.  But I had to take his picture.

Nikki and Ali, before Ali threw up her spaghetti all over the floor.  Not the ending to the night we were looking for.  :)

Aunt Elizabeth was in town working, so she stopped by too!

A visit from our favorite yearly carolers, the Robison family.  How we love these guys.  They make every Christmas even better with this awesome tradition.  I want to be like the Robisons.

Elizabeth decided to come visit us!  Yay!  It took Harper awhile to warm up to her, but as soon as she got out the books, Harper climbed right up on her lap to cuddle and read.  I'm telling you, she LOVES books.

Aunt E and her boys.

Elizabeth accompanied me to the PROBAR Christmas party in Park City as well.  Here is Jason performing as MC Berry Blast at the party.

"Have you ever had a bar that tastes like no other?  It tastes so good I'd even work with my brother..."  Jason has been really grateful for this chance to work for a great company and spend lots of quality time with his boss, his little brother.  They are an awesome team!

I was so happy to get to see my dear friend, Summer Hennessy.  Her husband is on Jason's sales team, and we have become friends who see each other very rarely.  So it was a treat to spend a few minutes with her. She took on the role of head chef at the event.  Her menu was amazing.  It was really, really tasty, especially the desserts.  Summer has her own dessert company, "Desserts by Summer," so it was really no surprise.  She is amazing.  And one of the most beautiful people I have ever, every known.  Inside and out.

Here's a cute one of Sara (Jules' wife), Jason and Elizabeth.  That is one good looking bunch.

Elizabeth, Jason and I then went and wandered Main Street of Park City.  Elizabeth had never been there before, so we had to go peek in all the windows, even though everything but the bars had long since closed.  We actually found the greatest, most cozy little bar downstairs at Easy Street at the bottom of the hill.  It was perfect for our frozen tootsies.  We sat by the fire and had hot chocolate and talked until midnight.  Then we stayed in a condo at The Canyons and came home early the next morning.  What a treat it all was.  Thank you, PROBAR!  Thank you, Elizabeth!  And thank you to the person who always makes these sorts of outings possible by staying with the kiddos:  MY MOM.  xxooxxoo