Christmas In Utah!

Since Matt was unemployed we decided that we would travel to Utah for Christmas. At no other time would we have this much time to spend with all of the family. We started our trip by stopping in Vermilion, and having a Christmas partywith Matt's family. Here is a shot with Abigail & Hallie together. They are only1 month apart.

We had a great timewith Matt's side of the family, exchanging gifts, and eating lots of food. We had to cut out early because we were heading on our drive to Utah. We left Vermilion at 3 or 4:00 in the afternoon and drove to Council bluffs Iowa,arriving there around 3 in the morning. We woke up early and were on the road 8:00am Iowa time, and drove and drove and drove, until we rolled into Utah at 10:00 pm Utah time. I think this was a record of driving time from Ohio to Utah. It was a long trip,but were super glad to be in Utah and visiting with all our family and friends.

It was so fun to be at home and be able to participate withmy family for the Ryan family Christmas Eve party. This year we re-inacted the story of Christ's birth. I think thekids enjoyed being a part of it all. There was lots of chaos, but mostly there was lots of fun!

Here are all the some of the kids eating there Christmas Eve dinner!

Bubba, Robert, Sophia and Jesse just relaxing.

Here are the kids in their Christmas pajamas!

On Christmas day we went up to Oakley or Kamas to visit my grandparents in the assisted living home. It is always so good to see them, even if grandma doesn't really interact with you, and grandpa can't hear you, there is something about just being in their presence. I always get teary eyed wondering if this will be the last time I will see them, considering it is usually only once a year that I make it out to Utah. Whenever we see them I try to get snap shots with them and the kids, so we can have some memories of them.

Here is my dad, he made the trip with us to see my grandparents.

After visiting with my grandparents, we stopped in Park City hoping to find something to eat, but considering it is Christmas Day there was not much to choose from. We ended up eating at a mom and pop pizza joint. Thank goodness they were open, and were willing to be open on Christmas. The kids were starving.

After dinner we headed to Temple Square and met up with Steve andHeidi to look at the christmas lights. It is not very often that we get to be in Utah for Christmas, so it is a real treat to see the lights. Temple Square is always so beautiful, to me it is a little bit of heaven on earth.

After Christmas we went up to Logan and stayed with our friends the Shipley's. Spent New Year's with them, and were able to also visit with the Peterson while we were there. Here the girls were playing dress up in their Sunday best. We had wonderful visit with our friends, and we are so grateful for their hospitality.

After the new year we headed back home to OHIO. It is always sad to say goodbye, but it is nice to be back home in your own place. There is nothing like home sweet home.

Christmas Gingerbread House

It has become a tradition for us at christmas time to make a gingerbread house. The kids look forward to it every year. It is truly one of their favorite things to do. This is the outcome of all our hard work. The kids as you can see are pretty proud of the finished product.

As a side note, I went to get my hair lightened. I decided to go to the Paul Mitchell School of hair so that I could get it done for cheaper. At this time Matt was unemployed, so I was doing my best to save us money. As you can see in the picture instead of being lightened, my hair has been darkened. I am not sure how I was so misunderstood. I ended up finding someone else to do my hair to make it light like I wanted it to begin with. So much for trying to save some money.

Pics of the kids

Random pictures of the kids.

Snow, Snow & more snow

Here we are with the snow upon us. Seth is all ready to go out for the 1st time in the snow. This picture totally reminds me of A Christmas Story with Ralphy & his younger brother Randy. They are always bundled up, but can hardly move. The kids absolutely love playing in the snow. It is almost as good as being at the beach, they use all their beach toys building snow castles, instead of sand castles. The kids enjoy going out to play while Matt does the snow blowing. Living up here in Ohio gives the kids plenty of opportunity to play in the snow!

The Nutcracker & Cookie exchange

Grandma & Grandpa Hansen invited Mckayla and I to the nutcracker. Jenny & Olivia came as well. Mckayla thought it was super fun to be with her cousin, and to spend time with grandma & grandpa. She enjoyed the nutcracker, and watching all of

the ballerinas. During intermission Grandma bought Mckayla a nutcracker ornament to put on the christmas tree. It was definitely a night to remember!

We also stayed the night at G& G's house, because the next day we were having a cookie exchange with all the cousins. It was lots of fun, and lots of goodies were made to share with each other. Mckayla thoroughly enjoyed decorating Grandma's sugar cookies with the cousins. Most of all we enjoyed tasting all of the cookies. Grandma makes the best sugar cookies ever!!!!