Christmas Adventures-a few highlights

At our ward Christmas party Sam wouldn't sit on Santa's lap, but by the time we flew for Christmas visits Sam was ready. Southwest had FREE pictures with Santa! We didn't pay for the picture to be taken or to be emailed to us. There really wasn't a catch-it was just free! Sam and Thomas look equally excited to be sitting with Santa.
Sam enjoying smores for the first time. They're a hit.

Sam and his fort-building gets a little crazy sometimes.

We went to see the lights at the Oakland temple. Dave even helped put some of them up at the beginning of December. We thought putting up lights at the temple could be a fun family tradition so we all went together. But by the time I finished feeding Thomas in the car Dave was already done.
Sam really liked to touch the lights.

Dave finished his finals on Thursday. On Friday we flew to Portland for Jeff's wedding. On Saturday Jeff and Lizzie got married (Hooray!) in the Portland temple. It was a very nice wedding. We couldn't be happier for them both! On Sunday we spent the night in "Uncle Dan" Bean's home, which was formerly my Grandma Hinman's home in Oregon City. In my mind, there are no better people than the Beans. I was happy to hear Dave express the same sentiments after meeting them. I hope I can learn to be as warm and inviting as they are.

On Monday we flew to West Virginia to spend some time with my family. It was great. I was ready for a vacation and this was just the vacation I was hoping for.
Watching "Joy to the World" on Christmas morning. Good idea Grandpa!

Sam-he's such a cutie!!!

That is one long table! (Tables actually) It was filled...although I think we always ended up with one extra seat. Elijah?

Garrett and Thomas in their matching pajamas! I think Garrett was ready for a nap. Garrett is quite the jabber-er, and I think Thomas learned a think or two from him. But we like it. Since we got back home Thomas has started making new sounds like ga-ga, da-da, and ba-ba. Before he just made oooooo sounds. He's also seems to have gained a little ambition. He used to just sit and watch the world go by, smiling at everyone and anything. Now he tries to grab everything, experience everything, and he still smiles all the time. He also learned to sit on his own while we were at my parents' house.

We got lots of snow while we were there and the kids (and Vid whose collar bone was recently broken and operated on) built an igloo in the front yard. I didn't get any pictures of it though!

We stayed with my parents for about a week (21 people in a 5 bed-room house!). My parents, just like the last Christmas we were there, kindly slept on the couch-bed in the living room to give the master bedroom to someone with young kids.

From West Virginia we went to Utah to visit Dave's family. We had a blast there as well. The relaxing vacation continued. We even got to go see a Jazz game. The following pictures are of Sam and Dave playing in the snowy back-yard.

We made it back safe and sound. Dave's classes don't start until the 18th so he's been going in to work half days which has been so nice. We love it! How will I survive when he goes back full time? We shall see. We love visitors!!!