We had beautiful weather after Christmas. The kids were able to try out their new scooters on the trails by our house. They love the scooters.
We also tried the scooters out at our favorite park.
It was too wet to do our traditional luminaries on Christmas Eve, but it was finally dry enough to do them the day after Christmas. This is a tradition started by my granny.
We fold down the bags, fill them with sand and then light a candle in them. It's really beautiful to look at.
My dad had rolled the bags while he was on his mission. He rolled over 100 of them, but we only used 50 or so.
Unfortunately, the next day it poured rain again. That plus the fact that David ran over a few of them resulted in a short-lived luminary life cycle.
On the morning of New Years Eve, the kids and I headed for Utah to visit my family. I love my family and get so homesick for them over the holidays. I was so grateful that my mom insisted on buying us tickets so we could go home for a little bit. My sister drove in from Vegas. She and I and another brother got together at the home of my youngest brother (for those keeping score, that means all but one of my brothers) to celebrate New Year's Eve. I love how all the little cousins get along so well. There is nothing my kids like more than playing with their cousins.
My family always puts together a great spread. It was kind of hard not to be able to eat everything in sight. I did eat more sugar than I have in a very long time, which was not well received by my body. That being said, I did much better than I would have in the past.
What isn't there to like about a chocolate fountain?
Three peas in a pod. (If the peas are wild, crazy and occasionally punch one another.)
My brother pulled the kids on a sled behind his 4-wheeler. His wife gave them rides a couple nights later.
My kids were so excited to play in the snow. Well, actually, Baylie was excited and Jalen was okay until he got cold. He DOES NOT like to get cold.
The girls took their "coordination" very seriously.
We use Eastern time to celebrate so the kids don't realize they are celebrating before the clock actually strikes 12 local time.
I love my crazy family. As much as I love South Carolina, it is hard to be so far away from family. I love being with them.
The next morning, the girls treated us to an extensive recital with piano, violin and vocal performances.
Baylie loves her twins. She tells everyone she wants her dad to get a job in Las Vegas and these little girls are the reason why.
They spent hours rehearsing and were particularly proud of this final move.
On New Year's Day, my parents took their kids and spouses out to eat at Porters. It is a restaurant named after an early Mormon pioneer named
Porter Rockwell - a rather colorful character. We used to eat here as a special occasion when we were younger. The food wasn't as good as I remembered, but the place is still very charismatic.
It hasn't snowed while we've been here, but there has been snow on the ground. The kids have gone sledding a couple of times. Baylie especially loves it.
Jalen likes it as long as he doesn't get cold. Once he's cold, he's done.
Catching air.
Hot rod.
Little girl train.
One day we went to Hang Time, the largest trampoline park in the USA.
There is a section with trampolines that you jump off of into big foam pits. Some of them have televisions where you can watch yourself after you've taken the plunge. This particular pit has a tightrope stretched across it.
There is another section with wall to wall trampolines and platforms you can jump off.
Another section to play basketball.
A dodgeball area and an area to practice the tightrope.
The kids went crazy in this place. David would have loved it.
It was fun watching my brothers try and out do each other. There was this punching bag hanging high from the ceiling and both of my brothers managed to hit it. (The two that were there.)
One of the nights the grandkids had a sleepover at Grammy and Grandad's. I wish my kids could spend more time like this with their cousins. I love how they love each other.
I took advantage of the opportunity to have my sister cut my hair. I have lost so much hair lately that I'm hoping the cut will help my hair look better and also decrease the hair loss. (I found the hoop earrings in a parking lot! And yes, I sanitized them.)
I won the family football picks for the third time and I won the bowl picks for the second time. I've never won them both at the same time before. I was quite proud of myself!
My mom got out my wedding dress so I could try it on. It's been 12 1/2 years since I last wore it. It's too big now. I still love it though. It's a beautiful dress.
The kids got really excited to have me try it on. They found it exciting for some reason. It was fun.
Baylie tried it on too. She wants to wear it one day.
We were supposed to go home today, but our flight was delayed and we would have misconnected in Chicago. We are rebooked to fly home tomorrow morning through Houston. Ironically, the connecting flight ended up being delayed as well, so we would have made it after all. But there was no way to know that. We don't fly standby over the holidays any more, but even on confirmed seats, we still have complications!
It has been a great trip. I miss David and I'm excited to get home, but I will miss my family. Baylie has already shed many tears.
I took advantage of the opportunity to have my sister cut my hair. I have lost so much hair lately that I'm hoping the cut will help my hair look better and also decrease the hair loss. (I found the hoop earrings in a parking lot! And yes, I sanitized them.)
