Merry Christmas!!!

Ho Ho Ho! The time has arrived!

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."

~ Burton Hillis

However you spend it this year.....................

"Merry Christmas friends & family!"

Hope your house is filled with the echoes of laughter and that your day is special.

School Christmas Program 2011

The Baker/Garrison School Christmas Program was Tuesday night. It's crazy to see how big each kid is growing every year. The preschool kids started out the program singing a couple of songs (with a little help from the kindergarteners). I've watched this progam for years. Makes me feel old to see my toddlers up there on stage; and of course ~ proud ;)

At one moment I thought Isaac was going to grab the microphone and start saying "This".....
He knows how to use that thing pretty well now from watching daddy.

There were some great musical numbers

Then, came the anticipated Christmas plays........................

Lastly, when all the goodies were set out on the table available for eager fingers to enjoy - Santa Claus himself stopped by ...........
Honestly, I didn't know how my kids were going to react. They actually sat there on his lap for more than 8 seconds..... Ha ha.

When Santa asked Ava what she wanted for Christmas she replied "A snake!".........
I think Isaac said what he usually says, "This!"
Or maybe he just stared at this stranger's white-as-snow beard.

lol

;D

Another Christmas memory.............

Inversion

I've always enjoyed the morning drives to EskDale, taking the kids to preschool. I've learned to bring my camera in case I see anything inspiring to photograph (since I've missed out on opportunities before). Of course it was a pleasure to come across one of my favorite critters in the animal kingdom: The Golden Eagle.

This week there has been crazy inversions. On this particular morning, Tuesday, Baker was in the clear, free from the creeping fog at that particular time (because we were all aware how quickly the weather changes here). While driving down the cut-off road, here is what highway 6 & 50 looked like..............

Making our way into it.........................

Then, in the thick of it..........

When I got to Eskdale - it looked like a frosted wonderland ~ very cold; but beautiful :)

I wouldn't want to be one of those kids to lick a metal swing set pole on a day like this!

Speaking from experience from long ago ;)

Thinking about the frost, this memory came flooding back......

lol

Burrrrrrrrr, does that make you want to crawl under a blanket with a hot beverage?
Or does that make you want to grab a sled and launch yourself down a powdered hill?

Cooped Inside

Thankfully the temps are getting into the 40's this week. These photos were taken (last week) on days where we didn't even make our usual walk to the post office because it was too cold. The trampoline wasn't even an option. Isaac loves to walk in other people's shoes ~ literally. Ava loves to play dress up - mostly she loves to pretend she's a dog, cat, or horse. Which means she sheds her clothes and strips down to her underware. She says "animals don't were clothes!" We tell her it's winter and it's too cold to run around naked. Both my kids like to shed their clothes. You'd think they were raised in a nudist colony :/

These cold, winter days means more movies and TV watching. Thankfully we've always got Baker Hall to go exercise in if we need it................

Isaac sportin' crazy Aunt Audrey's shoes ;)
He's also wearing his "cheezy smile."

Did I mention how much we LOVE our wood stove - especially when the town in socked in with fog. Ava regularly says "This would make a good photo. Can you take a picture of us mom?"

Mom and I took a quick shopping trip into Provo, UT. Everything has been crossed off my to-do list and it feels terrific! There are a couple of boxes I'm still waiting in the mail for.

I went through the kids room to find all the toys that they don't play with anymore and I'm giving them away. Most of the good , educational toys I donated to the preschool at EskDale. I figured the new toys that will be unwrapped for Christmas day will take their place. I'm keeping all my vintage toys though ;)

We've been (and are going to be) in great company this week. We got to spend time with Erin Valadez and her adorable kids. Sarah, Jamie, and the girls are coming this week. Grandma & Grandpa Hamilton will be here before Christmas too! I'm so excited!

I'm so looking forward to spending time with friends and family, enjoying hot beverages/ yummy food, watching kids perform in Christmas plays, seeing happy faces Christmas morning :)

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

:D

Weekend Fun at Duck Creek, UT

Last weekend we got together with some of the family up at Duck Creek, UT. We had to detour the long way around (3 hours), but it was worth every mile ;)
Upon our arrival, there was a Christmas parade, and Santa was making appearances around the little town. This was actually a happenin' place.

The lodge was really nice; but smaller than the lodge we stayed at in previous years. We ended up spending more time outside in the snow than inside anyway because it was a beautiful, sunny weekend! We were all eager to sled!

We ended up working up quite an appetite from all the activity. A hot meal really hit the spot. I think we all felt exercised after hauling sleds, a mattress, and in my case a 26 pound little boy repeated up a long hill. lol

It was SO much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

Later, people met in the main living room area to play games............

The following day, after consuming a delicious breakfast......we returned to sled for a few more hours before departing back home.

Ava went crazy with the sleds this year. I think she learned a lot from Kara & Jenna and suddenly gained this amazing confidence to go all the way to the top of the hill and fly down by herself!
lol

I was quite surprised!

Thank you Chandra and Anita for organizing this get-together!
It was a very memorable, wonderful time. Can't wait to see what's in store the next time around ;)