Grandma's Farm

 Last week we went out to my grandma's house in Grantsville for a dinner celebrating Pop's birthday. I don't know why we don't go out to visit more often, cause my kids always love it. Even though my grandma doesn't have animals anymore all her neighbors do. 

 Had to share Clairs best pin-up pose. 

 Some neighbors are keeping their goats in the backyard. The girls fell in love with the new babies, Flip and Flop. 

 The momma didn't enjoy all the attention the babies were getting and even rammed into both Kate and Clair to get them away. Am I a bad mom for thinking it was funny even if they were crying?

 Next we fed the cows. 

 They all came running as soon as they saw the kids offering hay. I have to admit these cows were huge and I was a little afraid to be so close. Luckily, they stayed back because of the electric wire fence.

 

 How fitting for Kate to be wearing her new Aggie shirt. Jared took the older kids up the day before to Logan for the Spring Scrimmage and unveiling of the new logo. Of course he had to come home with new shirts for everyone. 

Pops ran over his foot with the tiller last year and had to have it and his lower leg amputated. The kids love to make him take off his prosthetic and show them how it works. He's a good sport to always play along. 

Preparing for Christmas

December was crazy for us, this year. Luckily we still found time for some of our favorite traditions. 

Going to Schuster Creek for our tree:

Don't let these pictures fool you the kids really stayed in the car sipping hot chocolate while mom and dad climbed the mountain looking for the perfect tree. 

 Jared is always so patient and kind with me while looking at the trees and willing to go through many obstacles to get it down. I feel very fortunate to always find a tree and always make it home safely. 

 We decorated it that night. The kids stayed up late to help and wouldn't go to bed until the star was up. 

The next day, after mom redecorated. Notice Max on the sofa, this is how he spends his days, watching for any intruders. 

Skating with Santa:

We loving going to the Gallivan Center for Delta's annual ice skating party. It was really cold this year and Kate was sick, so I went alone with Grayson and Lydia. 

This is the only time we go ice skating, so it's fun to watch the kids reteach themselves how to skate. It usually takes awhile, but they figure it out by the end of the night. Grayson was skating so funny, he would run with straight legs on the ice. I wish I had video of it. Despite the way it looked he was able to stay up and go fast. 

When Santa first arrived he came up to Lydia and gave her a silver dollar. She felt pretty special all night.  

 It was a fun night, I especially enjoyed not being pregnant or holding a child. I was able to play tag with my siblings and try a few tricks. 

Brunch with Santa:

I think we had over 40 kids this year. It's crazy but we love seeing all our friends that we never get to see. 

Lydia was asked to lead the kids in Frosty the Snowman. She suddenly became very shy and wouldn't look up. It was so unlike her.

 Grayson starting to think he might be a little too old for the whole Santa show. 

 Lydia wants a Molly Doll.

 Kate wants an American Girl, Julie, Doll.

I couldn't understand what she told Santa, but she was sure excited to sit on his lap. 

I had to include a picture of my cut of the chocolates. Hopefully this will be the most I ever make. I'm planning on down sizing. It was just too much work this year. 

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

 My family visited NY for thanksgiving several years ago. Jared and I couldn't go and always felt like we missed out. I've been begging my family to do it again for years and we finally did. 

 It was a little insane waking up at 4:30am to leave the hotel by 5am, to get our spot by 6am. The parade didn't start until 9am. I think those were the three longest hours of my life. I don't have any desire to do it again. 

 Luckily we had lots of warm clothing, food, grandparents and lots of electronic devices to keep us busy.

I'm sure Jared was wishing he had never married into our family for those 3 long hours, but he acted like a good sport. It helped that he found a family from Tennessee to talk to. 

I think it was all worth it when the parade finally started and all the balloons came out.  

The kids loved it. They were cheering and chanting the whole time.  

Jared claims he and Neil Diamond made eye contact.  Apparently they have this special connection now. 

 See, this isn't the face of a sleep deprived unhappy child. It was totally worth it. 

These guys were my favorite. They did an awesome dance for us.  

 While we were waiting for our cars to be found in the parking garage, my sister in law suggested the kids play "dead indian"?  Don't ask me what it is, but I liked how the kids were quiet. 

No big deal if we looked like a bunch of crazies with all our gear and 8 kids dead on the sidewalk.  

Okay, Clair is ready for a nap. She was done. 

Philly

On our way to NY we stopped in Philadelphia. 

It was a short stop as we didn't have the best weather and didn't make reservations for some of the tours.

We still had fun walking the square, seeing the Liberty Bell, Constitution Hall and eating a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich. 

Thanksgiving in Maryland

We were so lucky to travel to the East Coast with the Kidd family for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Tami and I spent a fun day shopping at a barn sell and various swap meets. We didn't find much but were very inspired. 

Tami made us all some unforgetably amazing pizza. I'm still thinking about it. 

Since we were going to be in NY on Thanksgiving Day, Tami and I thought it would be good to do a little feast the Sunday before with the Fullers(my aunt and uncle). It was our first time cooking the turkey and most of the trimmings. It was okay, but we all prefer our moms cooking. Despite the mediocre food it was a beautiful day and we were all in good company.

The highlight of the day for the kids was playing outside on the Kamerath's swings.

They have a giant hill in their backyard with a rope swing tied to one of the tall trees.

I have to admit that it was a little terrifying to see my little girl flying so high in the air.

It's nice to see these too haven't out grown snuggling.

We spent monday touring the mall. We've been there so many times I didn't really take many pictures. Jared was excited to finally take a tour of the capitol, we hadn't been since the new remodel. It was actually a little disappointing and nothing like the self guided tour we tour as teenagers so long ago.