December fun so far

Oh the excitement after the first big snow has fallen. The smell of clean air, the children bundled up from head to toe in bunchy warm clothes, all so they can go out and play.

Well - Hailey decided that instead of me shoveling the drive, I should leave it for her "hill". She created her own launch pad setting the sled at the boarder of the snow, and running from the far side of the garage & jumping onto the sled. She really flew down the driveway. (If you watch the video, you'll get to see Derek participate in the fun as well).

What can be more fun than doing snow angels in the fresh powder? Derek loves making snow angels!

Dave surprised me by getting us tickets to the Phil Vaser concert a couple weeks ago. We had great seats (no one directly in front of us!), and had a blast listening to the music & watching the drunk people dance to country. It was a good time!!

Linda gave the grandkids a little pre-Christmas spoiling. Last Sunday she had over all the grandkids, and made oodles (and I do mean oodles) of candy & holiday treats. Each kid got to bring home a box of goodies to eat, or share w/ friends. She got each of them some goofy glasses for fun - cute, huh? :)

Monday we hit up our annual session of the Forgotten Carols (no pics, dangit). I always love going to this performance, and it really puts me in the Christmas mood. If you haven't seen it - I would HIGHLY recommend. It's become one of my favorite traditions!

Tuesday night we went to Temple Square with Dave's folks, and two of his aunts. It was beautiful & fun to check out all the lights.

Here's Jim w/ his sisters - Helen & Edith. We were so glad they could come up!

A shot of the Salt Lake Temple :)

Me & my little buddy Derek

Yesterday I hit up Gardner Village (one of my favorite spots for all seasons) with Amber, Cambrie & Ethan. Besides Amber realizing she had lost her wallet (which thank goodness was found), we had a nice time. They had all their elves out on display, which the kids always love. And to top it off, it was a pretty nice day - into the 40s!

The stroller babies - checking everything out

more elves

Derek needed to take a picture, so here's Amber & I w/ the elves. Not a bad picture for a 4 year old, eh?

-- And here's the sledding video - check it out :)

Clear Creek

In Hailey's school district, all 5th graders are able to go to an overnight camp called Clear Creek. I was lucky enough to be able to go up with her as a chaperone. The camp was absolutely beautiful, and the kids (all girls) had a really good time.

Here's Hailey in the very COLD morning en route to breakfast. There is an older couple that work/live up there, and this is the view they have every morning -- getting to watch the sun come up. It's so beautiful!

Hailey and I on our way to the cabin for lights' out (which due to some loud girls, ended up being well past midnight -- on a school night no less).

Hailey & some of her buddies that are in her class scored a great "private" section of the cabin (a separate room w/o a door). Here they working their shenanigans.

There were several stations the girls got to do. Tie dying was just one among the many -- bracelets, picture frames, robot making (out of recylables) in addition to some other team building activities.

Isn't Hailey's tie dye shirt wonderful!?

Hailey & her BFFs getting ready for the skits.