Christmas Festivities

We put the Christmas Tree up just after Thanksgiving and the kids had a blast decorating it.  They actually did pretty good.  The top of the tree was a little bare since most of the decorations ended up on the bottom half of the tree.  Sarah was so cute decorating and made sure every branch had at least one ornament (usually 2 or 3).  After they went to bed that night a couple of the ornaments made their way to the top of the tree.  Isaac loved wearing the Santa hat this year and it became his outside hat as well.  As tradition goes, we always go downtown to check out all the lights.  We have started going the first part of December before it gets too cold.  Then the lights are followed up by going to Litza's Pizza. Yum! 

 The kids couldn't wait to make a gingerbread house.  Dad got in on the fun too!  Katie and I just had fun watching.  Isaac decorated one side while Sarah did the other. Nice work guys.

 Trying to get a picture of all of us by using the timer on the camera.  Not too bad - it only took about 6 tries.

The Sunday before Christmas we had a Christmas party with the Oaks.  It is always fun to have everyone together.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner followed by the nativity reading and games.  The kids always enjoy playing Tommy Right and passing the presents right and left!

Here is a fun picture of all of us with Gary's grandparets. 

 Grandpa and Grandma Oaks brought us some gifts on Christmas Eve.  We love having them come over.  The kids ask all the time when they get to come over again.  Anytime Grandma and Grandpa!

 The stockings all hung by the fireplace - no chimney in this house.

 Christmas morning - did Santa arrive?  Of course, three good kids this year.  Tradition - We get dressed to open presents and the youngest goes down the stairs first.  Poor Isaac will always be last.

 The kids opened their stockings first and Isaac's favorite thing was his "firmonica"  aka Harmonica.  That was the best thing Santa could have given him.  Of course Santa brought him Ninjago legos, Razor Scooter and a Spaceship.

 Miss Sarah had been asking for a pink computer and Santa found one just for her.  He also brought her a princess kitchen along with the princess barbie dolls.  They each received a Wii game and the biggest hit was Just Dance Disney.  The kids, yes Isaac too, LOVE it.  More on that later.

 Isaac needed some new clothes so mom and dad found some nice looking shirts for him.  Sarah made this darling reindeer for us at school.

 Little Miss Katie enjoyed playing with all the paper and she loves chewing on her new toothbrush.  Santa brought her a fun new ball and a musical puppy. 

 The aftermath of Christmas!

 Later Christmas day we all went to my parents to open gifts together.  My Grandfather had flown in from Cleveland to spend it with his 3 daughters and all the grandchildren and great grandchildren in Utah.  We had so much fun with him.  He held Katie while the others opened their presents.  I think he enjoyed himself.  We tried to get all the great grandkids to look at the camera at the same time.

Mom and her girls!

Uncle Ryan and Isaac

Katie eating her new toy!  She eats everything.

This is a bittersweet picture for me.  I am so glad we were able to see him one last visit before he passed away.  We won't forget this special Christmas.  Love you Grandpap!

 
The rest of Christmas day we went home, enjoyed dinner and play time and coming down with the flu bug.  After 3 days of spreading the love to each other we were all healthy again and had fun enjoying all the gifts from Santa and family.  It was a wonderful Christmas in our new home!

 

 

 

Tribute to my Grandpap

 Well this past Thursday my sweet grandfather died unexpectantly.  It is so sad but in other ways happy to know he is back with his wonderful wife.  We were very fortunate to have him visit SLC twice this year.  He was here this summer and we had a fun family reunion.  Then he called me up in November and asked what I thought about him coming for Christmas.  I told him that would be great and you could just tell in his voice how excited he was.  He said he hadn't been in SLC at Christmastime in over 30 years and was really looking forward to it.  Well we did have a fabulous time and I was so happy he was able to visit us at our home for a little while.  He played so cute with Sarah.  On Christmas day we were at my parents opening gifts and he was so happy to just hold Katie.  She sat with him for such a long time and I know he got a kick out of her eating everything after she opened it.

We had a fun time trying to get 6 great grandkids to look at the camera with him all at the same time. 

We had such a wonderful time.  I was sad that we came down with the stomach flu that night so I didn't get to see him one last time.  I am SO GLAD I called him after Christmas to talk to him again.  He is an amazing person that had a wonderful life.  Grandpap we will MISS YOU!!!  I love you and am thankful for everything you have done for us.  I will always remember our fun trips to Cleveland and venturing to Cedar Point, Sea World, Pittsburgh and of course your trips to SLC. 

I will return!

So I am finally able to post pics again.  For some reason the blogger website wouldn't let me upload pics but it worked today!  Yeah.  Here is a picture of us at Christmastime with Gary's grandparents.  We were doing a silly pose.  I LOVE Isaac's expression.  I promise more to come (if anyone still reads this.)

Thanksgiving Picture

We had a really nice quiet Thanksgiving this year.  We relaxed at home all morning till it was time to head to G&G Oaks for dinner.  We had delicious food and it was nice to spend time with family.  Of course later that evening I ended up at Walmart for some good deals and enjoyed shopping without the kids.

Disneyland Continued

 Well no trip to Disney would be complete without stopping to play in Bear Country.  They have changed the theme from Brother Bear to Up but the slides and attractions are the same.  Even Katie enjoyed hanging out on the rocks!

 We made a stop at the new Cars Land.  VERY BUSY!  We got to see McQueen and Mater.  Sarah is not a huge fan of people in costumes or things that talk, unless they are people.  So we stopped waiting in the character lines because she wouldn't go near them.  We did however wait in line for 2 hours to go on the new race ride.  Isaac and Sarah didn't like it because it went too fast.  Although I made Isaac go on it with me the next day and he may have had a change of heart!

 You can't go to Disneyland and not get your picture in the entrance - too bad the people we asked to take our picture left Mickey out of it.

 Dumbo was a big hit for Miss Sarah!

 And she loved the jumping jellyfish ride in California Adventure.  Isaac was so excited because he got to ride this one by himself!

 And Isaac's Disneyland Life was complete when he was FINALLY chosed to be a Jedi.  After more attempts than I can count he finally made it to the stage - even made it to center stage.  He loved every minute of his training.  He was super excited because he was the first person to fight Darth Vader.  I loved his reaction and his facial expressions are priceless.  So I video taped most of his training and when Darth Vader came out my camera told my I had no space left - go figure.  So here are a couple pics I was able to snap instead.

 The only person Sarah was willing to see was Minnie Mouse.  The person said she would take our picture with our camera - BLURY, oh well we attempted it at least.

 Trying to get one decent picture of all 5 of us.

 The last night we were there they had a big ceremony for turning on the lights for It's A Small World.  It was amazing how pretty it was.

 The big tree on Main Street.

 Sarah was finally tall enough for most rides so she was able to ride Splash Mountain for the first time.  It took quite a bit of convincing to get her to sit down on the ride.  They let her sit beside me on the back row.  I love her eyes looking at where she was going.  The picture is kind of dark but here is our picture going down the big drop.  Isaac's expression is priceless.

Katie got to hang out with mom and dad while the other 2 rode some rides, but she loved It's a Small World.