Thursday morning we got up early and headed to Utah. It had snowed during the night but was pretty clear as we headed over the pass.
There is something so beautiful about fresh-fallen snow!
After a couple of slow-downs on the way (broken down trucks) we made it that evening to Utah.
Some of the family came over for dinner that night and we opened gifts from Trav's parents. Conner got a new volleyball.
Calissa got a cute coin purse, a calendar that you color and a cuddleupet.
Parker got a new pair of warm-up pants.
After a good night sleep we headed out sledding the next day.
When we got to Utah and were talking with Trav's parents we told them that we brought our sleds. They said we had left our sleds in Utah last year. We were wondering what we brought in our car in the black garbage bag. Travis went out to peek and guess what we brought? Our boogie boards! Here is Travis showing off his "Hawaiian Style!"
It was the perfect day to go sledding! The weather was beautiful!
Trav and Conner getting ready to go!
Conner
There might have been a wipeout at the bottom ...
Parker
Trav on the boogie board. They work in the snow too ... who knew?
Calissa
Calissa and Kennedy
The long hike back up the hill!
Calissa and I
Jami and RK tried to go down. Let's just say that I could have walked faster than they sledded. :)
Conner kept helping Maddie walk back up the hill. Most of the time he was carrying both of their sleds and had Maddie on his back. He is such a great cousin, but he did get a little tired!
My turn heading down.
We went sledding for free on a golf course by Grandma and Grandpa's house. They have a big hill and lots of space!
The goal was to go down the big hill and get over the one at the top of the picture. Travis and Parker got close, but I think Jordan was the only one to get up and over.
MiQuelle, Grandpa and Grandma watched from an overlook instead of coming sledding with us.
We all had fun and no one got hurt!
Success!!
Logan and Azure
When we got back the kids continued sledding in the backyard. Parker is smoothing out the path.
Kaisen and Parker crashed.
Saturday night we headed into Salt Lake to go walk around City Creek shopping center (a new shopping center opened by the church), see the candy windows, see the lights at temple square and have some hot chocolate at Little America. We got out there and it was COLD!!
We rode TRAX to see the candy windows. Isn't this amazing?
Then we walked over to City Creek to do some window shopping.
They have a really cool fountain that shoots water and fire to music. It is really cool!
Here are some of the beautiful things along the way. There are fountains inside as well as a creek that runs through sections of it. It also has a retractable roof so it can close and be heated during the winter, closed during the hot summer and be cooled, and be open during the spring and fall.
It is really beautiful. It has high end shops as well as more reasonable ones as well. We did go into Tiffany and Co. though to look around. Travis thought that was a bad idea!
Outside they have a huge fireplace that is open on four sides. It doesn't put off enough heat though! Did I mention it was cold?
We were all freezing so we ended up in a frozen yogurt shop (of all places) for hot chocolate. We were supposed to have it at Little America, but we just couldn't wait that long!
Next we headed over to see the lights at Temple Square. They had these cool luminaries with words punched out. They were beautiful lining the snowy bench!
The temple was beautiful as always!!
Here we are on our way back to the car on TRAX. That is always an interesting ride!
Sunday we went to church with Trav's parents and then went to visit my Grandpa. Here is Calissa with his dog Tipper. We sure miss my Grandma.
When we walked in there was a horrible noise coming from Grandpa's refrigerator. I asked my Grandpa what the noise was when we walked in and he said, "What noise?" Travis and Parker decided to investigate the noise. They made it quieter, but didn't get rid of it. Just wondering now when Grandpa is going to have to get a new refrigerator, or get it fixed!
Smile Grandpa! He had puzzles everywhere when we came to visit. He loves doing puzzles!
Monday we went sledding again. It was colder that day! The kids sledded in the backyard and then again at the golf course.
Here is a cute appetizer that we had! So cute!
That night was New Year's Eve. We celebrated by having a yummy dinner, watching a movie,
playing some games,
and celebrating once midnight hit!
Happy 2013!
We made a huge mess!
Looking good Jordan!
New Years day we went out to breakfast (with all 21 of us) and then decorated Ginger Bread houses.
The kids had fun and worked well together to decorate their house and tree.
Jarom and Eisley's house.
Parker, Conner and Calissa's house.
Logan and Maddie's house (with Azure's help)
Kylee, Kaisen and Kennedy's house.
MiQuelle and Jordan's house
Here they all are!
Wednesday we headed back home to spend a few days at home before the kids had to go back to school. We had a great time in Utah, like always! See you soon!
