Idaho Falls Sand Dunes

We hardly ever go to the sand dunes.  I really just don't remember that they are even there!  My oldest sister always reminds me when she comes to visit, so we usually always make an evening of it.  It was a beautiful evening and hard to pull the kids away at the end.  

"I will get you Aunt Carrie!"

Merry Christmas 2011

Christmas was wonderful!  My brother and his family from Arizona came on up, my sister from Provo joined us, and my sister and brother that live here also spent Christmas with us and their families.  Lots of great food, laughter, and good company.  Christmas Eve we had a lot of finger foods and appetizers.  The grandkids put on the Nativity, set out cookies for Santa and reindeer food.  Each family had to perform a last minute Christmas song, that brought on lots of laughter! 

A few of the crew loading up their plates.

Getting ready for the Nativity.  Hallie had never been Mary, so she was excited. 

Grandma organizing the troops. 



This is our cast for the Nativity.  They did a great job and we loved watching them! 

I think Joseph (Matthew) was all done.  



This Nativity scene was always set up at my Grandma and Grandpa Ahlstrom's house.  Now my dad faithfully puts it up each year. 



I love all the colors on this Christmas tree.

Gavin was still zonked when he got up Christmas morning.

This watermelon bubble gum brought the biggest smile to Hallie's face.

Gavin's waiting for the ok to open his present.

Hallie could hardly wait to open her present.

Gavin and his favorite aunt Carrie.

Hallie with her new doggie, her favorite animal in the world.

Gavin and his Colossal Cannon.  A favorite toy of all the boys.

Hallie just wanted a Baby Alive because the other dolls, "don't do anything."

Gavin and Preston sitting on Gavin's zoo.  When Chad put it together, Gavin kept saying, "I can't believe it!  I can't believe it."  It was exactly what he asked Santa for!

My mom was so surprised because my dad got her a Kindle Fire.  She reads a book a month and does a lot of other stuff too, so it should be great for her.

My Christmas flowers.  One thing I told Chad I wanted were a variety of flowers.  As of today they are still blooming.

Christmas evening with all the cousins.  Everyone brought their favorite gift to show.

I guess Christmas wouldn't be complete without a meltdown. 



All the kids trying to take on Grandpa.  I think he still won. 

Christmas day was wonderful!  Even though the kids had to wait until after 9am sacrament meeting to open presents, they all handled it so well.  Hallie and Gavin have loved the toys they received and they had fun giving to each other and family also.  They understood the meaning of Christmas as much as a 3 and 5 year old could, and occasionally still talk about baby Jesus. 

A few of the things I'll remember from this Christmas are singing primary Christmas songs each night at bed, kids singing Christmas carols throughout the day, putting up the Nativity before any other decorations, my children's eyes wide with amazement when they met Santa, the memories that were made from the traditions that we carry on each year and the new ones we started.  Merry Christmas!



Happy Birthday Gavin!

Gavin was so excited for his birthday!  He could care less that it's so close to Christmas.  We definitely try to separate his birthday from Christmas since it's only two days before the big holiday.  We had a lot of fun on his day and he proudly announced to everyone that he is 3.  Chad was at work that day, but we still filled his day with lots of fun activities.  We started off the day opening a present and eating magic pancakes (german pancakes), with lots of fruit toppings and sausage links.  Later we headed to Blast Off for a couple of hours of playtime and then we finished off at Pizza Hut for a birthday lunch.  Then we had a houseful of 23 people to build graham cracker Christmas houses and eat soup and homemade scones.  Thanks to my mother for her help!  She made it all work out!  After we let our food settle, we opened presents and blew out the birthday candles.  A cute little side story...earlier in the week we had been to Sams Club for some shopping and Gavin was trying to decided on which birthday cupcakes to get.  He eventually decided on Buzz and Woody until he saw Christmas cupcakes with Santa and reindeer rings!  It was all over after that!  There was no question in his mind that he wanted Christmas cupcakes!  He loves this time of year!  We also enjoyed rainbow sherbet, Gavin's favorite!  (the pictures are all randomly placed, thanks to my struggles with blogger) 



Mine and Gavin's Santa's beach house.  This is where Santa goes after all the presents are delivered and he needs a break!



Hallie built the majority of her house by herself.  She did an awesome job decorating!

That is Gavin's Santa cupcake.  He slept with that ring on his finger for the next few nights. 

Playing at Blast Off with all the trucks.

First birthday present of the day.

Hallie loves ball pits.  We need one in our home.



I think he could sleep in there!



Zipline!  Lots of fun till Mommy gave him a push and he fell off!

My diligent little workers!

Happy Birthday Gavin!  He is such a sweet boy, but can stand up for himself!  I love that he potty trained himself, really, with very little help from me.  He just decided he was doing it!  He loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates, cooking, playing with Hallie, wrestling his daddy, and hugging his mommy.  We love you Gavin! 

Christmas Activities

December was full of so many fun activities!  I thought the best way to put them all up, was just to combine them.  We enjoyed all the fun things before Christmas!



Best buds!  I hope it lasts!



Christmas art projects.  We let our creative juices flow!

We celebrated my dad's birthday, along with many others this month as well!

My little cookie makers.  Great helpers that day with very few mishaps!

Snow bunnies...no matter how little snow there is!

"How do I use that shovel with these mittens?"

Santa statue at the Museum

Where Santa vacations after Christmas day.

Gingerbread replica of the Idaho Falls Temple. 

Playtime at the museum

The biggest Santa statue ever!

Such a good daddy!

This is Hallie's version of our Snowman family.  We're all there...even our soon to come new addition.



We can't forget frosting the Christmas cookies! 

I love all the activities for the month!  The kids were totally in the spirit of the month.  They put the change in the salvation Army canisters, sang Christmas songs while walking through the stores, and pulled off a paper chain each day from their Christmas countdown.  It was a fun month!