Christmas Vacation

As usual I'm having issues uploading photos for my post.  That would be why it usually takes me two weeks before I actually get a post witten and posted.  I like to remember what I did on my vacations, so this is just a recap.

We checked Sari and Kate out of school early on Friday (21st) to get an earlier start on the drive to Utah.  Saturday, I went out with my mom for a little while and did some last minute Christmas shopping.
Sunday we went and had an early Christmas dinner with Ryan and Kris and played games after.
On Chrismas Eve we went and visited Lisa and Alan and let the kids play.  That night we had our family Christmas Eve party.  We ate soup, opened presents, decorated gingerbread(graham cracker) houses, and had peppermint icecream for dessert.  I can't remember exactly when the kids went to sleep, but I think it was around 10pm.

Christmas morning I woke up because I heard my mom and Sari and Kate down looking at presents.  It wasn't too early, thankfully.  We had yummy orange rolls, eggs, and bacon for breakfast.  After all the presents were opened we took the kids to the movie Arther Christmas.  Leah and Porter were really cute with their own popcorn and drinks, and both fell asleep before it was over.  We had a big family Christmas dinner that evening.  The table was loaded with food.  In fact, when Scott was trying to make a spot to set something down, he made my grandpa's water dump all over onto his plate and into his lap.  Woops.  It wasn't too bad though.  We had the kids dress up and act out the Nativity scene after dinner.  I was surprised how well they all cooperated, even Leah and Porter were great little actors.  We also made Kneaders raspberry bread pudding for dessert. 

Leah was very animated and excited with each thing she pulled out of her stocking!

On Wednesday, the 26th, we went sledding with Kristin and her kids.  Addie and Boston weren't too sure about it though.  They did end up sledding by the end though.  Leah was really interested in making a snowman, but the snow wouldn't stick together. 
Thursday we went to J Dawg's for lunch and then Scott and I attempted to shop at the outlets at Traverse Mountain with the kids.  It's never a great experience shopping with four kids.  It is even less fun if your cell phone stops working and you can't remember your husband's cell phone number when you ask to borrow a stranger's phone.  Finally we reconnected and got out of there.  That evening we got to go out with Lisa and Alan.  We went and ate at La Jolla Grove in Provo.  It is super yummy.  We checked out the toystore there in the Riverwoods and then Scott and I headed to a hotel in Sandy that my dad had reserved for us.  He said he thought we should have a night without kids sleeping in our bedroom.  That was awesome!  We've had Leah or Lucy sleeping in our room since Lucy was born.  Oh, before we went there we stopped at Cabella's on the way and found Scott some good hiking boots.
Friday (28th) we went back to the outlets at Traverse Mountain shopping, this time without kids.  Much better!  I love all the after Christmas deals.  For clothes, I think the deals are better or easier to get than black Friday.  I went shopping with my mom after Scott and I got home.  Scott stayed with the kids and shoveled snow while they played in it.  That evening Lisa invited all the bookclub girls to her house for a get together for me.  It was great!  I miss those girls a ton!  Scott went to Payson and visited Ryan and Kris while I was gone.

Saturday 29th  Scott, my mom, and I went to Les Mis.  We stopped at Old Navy on the way home and found more great after Christmas deals.  We were like shopping maniacs, especially considering our normal shopping habits.  Sari had her heart set on seeing the lights at temple square, but we weren't really feeling like driving all the way to Salt Lake.  We convinced her to go see the Christmas lights at the Shops at the Riverwoods instead.  We let the kids look in the toy store too.  My parents came with us too.  After the lights we went and ate at Magleby's Fresh.
Sunday  After church I went to the instacare in American Fork because my rib/side had been hurting so much.  I was there for 3 hours!  It was such a long wait.  The doctor said it was rib torsion/costochondroitis. Basically I coughed the cartilage that holds one of my floating ribs in place out of place.  It is slowly getting better.  It's been over a month now, and it still hurts.  Travis and Jessica came over and visited that evening.
Monday New Years' Eve -That morning we went and visited Kristin and Cody for a while.  Scott also went to visit my grandpa while Lucy was taking a nap.  That night we had a party with my family at my parents' house.  We played games and Travis and my dad lit off some fireworks.

 

There was plenty of IPad sharing between the cousins!

 Tuesday- We went to City Creek with my parents and Kristin and Cody.  It was pretty cool.  There is a stream flowing down the middle of the walkway and lots of water features (fountains, falls).  We ate at The Cheesecake Factory.  Lucy wasn't feeling well, so it wasn't the most relaxing restaurant meal ever.  She just kept crying.  I did find my all time favorite kind of cheesecake though - banana cream pie cheesecake.  I really loved it.  That night we watched the 1998 version of Les Mis with my parents.
Wednesday - Traveled back to Billings.  :(  So sad our Christmas break was over.