Hawkins Christmas Tree-Cutting Expedition!... no place for children.

I stood in line the day after Halloween for a Christmas tree permit.  Me... and about a thousand other people!  Sheesh!  There are some dedicated natural Christmas tree lovers out there!  I just love the idea of a $10 Christmas tree, with a little bit of work.  We were so excited to go out and find our tree again this year.  Bevan and I promised each other that it would be a pleasant experience with little hiking and even less fighting.  Last year, we learned that small children were better off playing at Grandma and Grandpa's house than out in the woods with us.  I felt bad for ditching the kids, but maybe next year we'll start taking them.  It wasn't THAT bad.  If we're going to start a tradition then let's start it!

It only took us about an hour to find the tree.  Nice and full and surprising close to the road.  We were on our way back the car actually.  I think we stumbled across someones secret stash.  It was a random grouping of perfect Christmas trees surrounded by a colony of aspen.  Very hidden and easy to miss... but I think we'll be able to find it easily next year!

Dallin went to work pulling off as many ornaments as he could, but we "trained" him not to with hand slaps (such mean parents!).  It worked... or the novelty just wore off.  Either way, our tree is standing proudly!  After all that work, I forgot to water it for 4 days and it went dry.  Oops!  I started watering it again, and it's drinking... a little, let's hope it lasts 'till Christmas!

Christmas Card Photo Fails!

Never try to take Christmas card pictures when kids are cranky.  None of these made the card, but were close runners-up!

Thanksgiving 2014

I think that Thanksgiving is more fun that Christmas!  That may sound blasphemous, but you get all the family time, without the hassle and stress of finding presents!  It's just people and food!  

Thanksgiving morning, we gave another try of running the annual 5K turkey trot, here in Midway!  I was so sick last year and had to sit out, but this year I was determined to do it.  Bevan wanted to place, so I was left pushing the kids.  It's hard pushing a double jogger in a crowd.  I can't count how many times I said, "sorry!" to people.  It was like Disneyland all over again!  I was able to convince some of the thanksgiving "gang at the cabin" to come run it too!  Allen and Ellie came to cheer on Missy and Carson.  Vanessa and Trent made a date of it, and Bevan left me in the dust... so I ran with Vanessa and Trent.  Such great weather!  Alas, not a single picture, even though I had storage room galore for a camera.

After the race, Bevan and Trent ran off to football at the church.  They definitely got their exercise in for the day!  We finally left for American Fork for dinner with his family.  What a spread!  Turkey AND ham! ... and anything else you can imagine.  I kept busy chasing Dallin around and begging Anna to eat her dinner.  For the sake of family togetherness, I kept them awake from their naps, which was a mistake.  I should've enjoyed dinner... and THEN fed the kids.  Oh well.  They crashed on the way to the cabin that night.

We couldn't miss the after-party!  We played games and ate leftovers and junk 'till midnight.  I passed on the black Friday shopping venture, but we played plenty of games, went sledding in the mud, and even ran the loop in 6" of snow!  What a great Thanksgiving!

Anna is 4!

I love back-to-back birthdays!  Anna has been hyped up about her birthday for weeks... mostly because WE hyped it up for her!  She was not disappointed.  She got waffles for breakfast, nuggets and fries for lunch, and a Strawberry Shortcake ice cream cake for dessert!  I tried to mimic Bevan's oreo ice cream cake, and I think it turned out alright!  I borrowed a strawberry shortcake figurine and it made it look so complete!  Her many presents included dress-ups, play food for her kitchen, crayons, markers, watercolors (already all mixed to grey hues), dinosaur popper, and a beautiful Sunday dress!  She was in heaven.  Thanks to loving grandmas, grandpas, and good friends!

I can't believe my big girl is 4!  I've enjoyed our easy days with few schedules and the freedom to whatever whenever!  I know that preschool will be good for her, but it's just so convenient to go on road trips while everybody else is in school!  I love having Mondays off during the winter to ski and get things done, but I'm sure that will all change soon.  Sigh.  Why do kids need to grow up?  Why do I need to grow up?!