Our extra-jord-n-ari Life

First Sunday in Utah we sang in a quartet with Kim and Dave. It went really well especially since we only practiced for a day.

Look at my beautiful girls! Nee Nee gave them these matchy dresses and Ariel made the bows.

Happier after church

Grandma made rice crispy igloos that the kids had fun decorating

I think they ate their candy more than put it on the igloos. Of course!

Looks awesome Jaxon!

Christmas Eve we had Brick Oven pizza and Root Beer; I've never seen pizza disappear so fast!

Instead of acting out the Nativity we had the kids write down something they would give to Jesus this year on yellow stars

Then we hung them on the Christmas tree.

I think we started a new tradition!

As excited as the boys were for Santa to come I think we got them down around 9, which is awesome for being on vacation AND Christmas Eve.

Then it was time to make magic!

Gemma was so cute when she saw her doll house. She was very shy and timid, but you could see the amazement in her eyes. She was very happy with her purple and pink house.

Every year Jaxon and Kodee want some sort of flying contraption. This year Santa did not disappoint. The airplanes were not as sturdy as we would have liked and they only lasted for about a day (till the neighbor's dog got a hold of Jaxon's red plane. We keep telling him we'll replace it. . . .one day).

This is my favorite present of the year! Ari took my old shirts that are too big for me now and made me a memory quilt. I love it and it is very very comfy. All of these shirts are from choir and SUSD stuff.

The planes- before their demise.

Santa brought Ari some spiffy new duds for Christmas. She is one hot mamma!

Time for a little trip to Provo. We took the kids to Los Hermanos. It was in a new location and very different looking- but same good ole food. Man I love those Shrimp fajitas! And those awesome drinks they make.

Of course we had to stop in and see Uncle Ryan. We had a blast meeting him and his friend Julie at Buffalo Bills. Doesn't he look like a Buffalo Bill? Awesome friend!

Gemma definitely wanted to go outside and build a snowman!

We went on a super fun sledding trip up in Cottonwood Canyon. We were very cold, but the slope was awesome. Gemma did not like the icy blast of snow in her face as we went down.

We loved this little red cabin up at the top of the trail. We would love to have something like this one day. It was like a winterland postcard- picture perfect.

While everyone else hiked up, Gemma opted for the Queen's traveling preference. We pulled her like her slaves. She loved it.

After the sledding we went to Midway, UT to see the much talked about ice castles. They were incredible. It was like walking into Elsa's house. They had LED lighting in them, so they were beautiful at night. There were tons of people there and once again it was freezing! We had nice hand warmers that would thaw our fingers out every once in a while. Afterward we went to a cool diner/restaurant and had some awesome hot chocolate- but the kids and Ari opted for Gelato. Those crazy people. It was way too cold for that.

The whole family enjoying the ice castles. They were magical. They've even been featured in music videos later this year.

I will admit. . .I love to do crazy things with Gemma's hair. This was after taking out her braided teddy bear buns. Hilarious!

Who is this little one? She's growing up way too fast!

Later on in the week we went ice skating at the park by Kim and Dave's. We had a blast, but it was much harder than Jaxon remembered. Kodee didn't have much patience for it. Looking back, it was kind of a miserable night. Gemma wanted to be held the whole time. Lottie was in the car seat. And we were just trying to make a fun family memory. Ces la vie.