A trip to Jackson over Christmas Break

We have these great friends that have a luxurious cabin (house) in Jackson Hole. They called us at the last minute and invited us to go up and spend the new year with them. Lowell took the Austin and Halle skiing one day at the Jackson Hole ski resort while I stayed behind with the little ones. They had a blast even though it was cold.
The next day we decided that we would go to the rec center and let the kids swim. Jackson has a great rec center with indoor slides and shallow water for the little ones. We had a blast swimming and playing in the water. I couldn't believe how warm the water was, in fact, you wondered if you should be worried.
We rang in the new year with blow horns, confetti poppers and tiaras. We played the its midnight but really 9 for the little ones. We had a great time relaxing, playing games, eating good food and sharing great company.
A side note... the scenery on the way to Jackson was beautiful. We sure live in a great place. If you have never had a chance to see the tetons in the winter you should do it.

I pulled off the surprise for Christmas...

I can't believe that I actually surprised Lowell for Christmas. He is always doing things for me that I can't believe and love but me on the other hand am the more practical one so I don't so much. He has been wanting some new snow skis for the past couple years as he takes the kids up the slope and spends most of January skiing with them. SO this year I decided to splurge and buy some good ones for him. We went looking in Utah and the ski swaps and then he did his research and I just kept my ears and eyes open to what he really wanted. I had a little help from our buddies at the ski store who kept them hidden until Christmas eve. They also helped me throw Lowell off by telling him the ski he wanted was sold out and would not be able to get anymore in so Lowell had come to conclusion they would not be here Christmas morning. (ha ha) I was more excited for Christmas morning just to see his face and excitement. He was surprised and he wondered where I had hid them and got them in without him knowing. Thank goodness that he NEVER goes in Berkeley's closet unless I ask him to get a new pack of diapers. Perfect hiding place now spoiled because he will remember to look there in years to come. Well probably not because he is not a snooper ... that would be me!

Who seems more excited Lowell or Austin?!?!

The Happy Man! He deserves it.

Christmas Morning

It is here... It came so fast and is over so fast. This year we have many fun stories to share but the best was Austin. I have never seen him so excited for Christmas. The kids drew maps of strategy to get to the presents, The kids all slept together in Jett's room and at 4:30, yes I said 4:30 in the morning, Austin decided it was time to get up and wake up his siblings. They went out into the family room to see that their stockings were filled and Santa had been here. Well, I woke up and made sure that the other two kiddos got back snuggled in their beds because I knew we would be in BIG trouble. There was no convincing Austin to go back (threatened with his life though if he came to us before 7) so he stayed awake watching tv, playing the wii but best of all organizing the presents into piles of whose they were. We came down to the basement being in organized chaos. The best part was that Grandma and Grandpa slept through the whole thing!
Santa was good to us and we have been very blessed this year. Here are a few pictures of the fun we had Christmas morning.

The chaos I was referring to.

Christmas morning sporting their new jammies.

Jett opening his new cars. Notice the facial expression - good thing I got him to go back to bed it could have been worse.

Berkeley loving the paper and Grandma helping Jett.

Our silly boy who is always filled with surprises.

Grandpa, Berkeley and Mom.

Austin opening up Grandpa's present and wondering why he got no noise headphones. Grandma might regret this purchase, because he does a great job of zoning into lala land.

Halle always smiling.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was full of traditions and surprises. We got our tradition dinner on its way and then we usually go off to a movie while it all cooks. Well, this is where the surprise comes in. We were getting ready to leave when a knock comes at the door. Who do you think it was!?!?!?! Grandma and Grandpa Cederholm bearing gifts. Halle answered the door and I don't think she knew what to think. Then Austin came around and was surprised (I think his response was worth their drive) The kids couldn't believe that they were here to spend Christmas with us.
We had decided that we would see Tangled. It was Good! We got home from the movie and dinner was ready to go. So we ate, read the Christmas Bible story, and opened our Christmas jammies. The kids then put together the plate for Santa and headed off to bed.

I think Berkeley loved the paper more than the gifts..Surprise ... is she under one or what.

We were so exciting that we put Padre to sleep.

I can't believe that I didn't capture one picture of my parents Christmas Eve, sorry Mom! Let me know if you have any and share.

Dancing December

Halle loves to dance! December was a busy month for her, she had a clogging performance at the mall and also performed with the Highland High School Lassies at a half time show for a basketball game. Here are some pictures of her performances.

Halle received first place at the Lassie camp. She received this because the HHS dancers thought that she was one of the best dancers in her age group.

Halle with her friend, Kaylee, showing off their winnings. They had a blast together doing this.

With her clogging team practicing. They do a Grease number and it is sooo cute!

Part 2 to Creative Fun

This goes with the creative fun post. I didn't realize that I had taken these pictures. Here is the kids playing cafe.

The customer (along with Mom and Dad)

Our meals.. I don't think we left hungry.

The waitress welcoming us to their restaurant.

The cook.

Creative Fun

So I have to brag about my kids because I think they have come up with the cutest creative things to play together. It usually occurs on Sunday when they realize that no electronic devices can be used but it has happened on other days as well. So here are a few examples of things they have come up with.
They have played yard sale where they have come up with things (toys or artwork of their own) to sell and set up the family room with check out centers and all. Of course, Lowell and I had to pay them for all their artwork.
They have set up the basement as a restaurant with written menus and prices. One of course is the waiter/waitress and the other is the cook. This is probably a classic at our house since we got the kitchen and table downstairs. However new additions are always made to it.
They acted out the birth of our Savior with angels, shepards, wise men and the whole works. They were so glad we had a new baby so Berkeley could participate in the play and be baby Jesus.
They have made up laser tag. This is used with flashlights and played in the dark and whoever gets a light shined on them is out until they go back to their base and recharge. Yes, of course, they set up bases as well.
But my personal favorite was the night of the concert. They had created a band, sent out tickets to be purchased, and set up a stage, which included spotlights for the singer, guitar and drummer solos. The spotlights were flashlights and they each took their turn doing their thing.
I wish I could have got a video tape of this one but I knew the second I pulled out the camera all bets would be off and the entertainment would stop.
I love seeing them play like this together. It reminds me of my childhood. There is nothing better than seeing your children use their imagination!!

Family Pictures

So over Thanksgiving break we went to Utah and visited the fam. Everyone was coming until the weather prohibited the Denver clan to drive here. Grandma had arranged for family pictures and purchased cute skirts and ties for the grandchildren. Well, we went ahead with getting individual family pictures and a few of the five grandchildren that came to our family this year in a five month period. So here is our family picture, one outside and one inside. Jett was a pill and thought that a smile was supposed to be sideways. Oh well, when you have four kids you just hope all can be looking not necessarily smiling their best.

Our little pirate

Berkeley was our little pirate this Halloween. She loved sucking on her new costume ... everything enters her mouth. Babies love to give us all sorts of faces. SO here are a few of them.

Sucking on her costume.

I don't know what she was doing here but its classic.

Halloween

This Halloween I decided that I wanted to REALLY carve some pumpkins. You always see the cool ones on other peoples porches. So I purchased a kit and we were on our way. The kids each picked out on of their design and that was about it. Little did I know that they were a little too difficult for them to do themselves so Lowell and I carved pumpkins this year while they watched. Well at least we did a Halloween tradition. They loved them and that is all the matters, right?!?!?

My kids and their hand signs. For some reason they love to do these while I take pictures.

The family around their pumpkins. Halle picked a spider, Austin's was a witch, and Jett's was a cat. SO long triangles for noses. (I have no idea why Jett is not in the picture)


The kids love Halloween for one reason ..... candy and lots of it. Don't you remember those days of fun. It just isn't the same when you grow up. Austin and Halle had their costume parade at the school where I took Jett and Berkeley to watch them. Jett thought he should be one of the school kids too so he joined the parade with his brother.

Jett posing as Buzz lightyear. (costume #1)

My goblins.

Halle proudly holding her sister at school.

Hanging out waiting to embark on trick or treating.

This picture is not so fabulous until you look at the door window and see Lowell doing a pig nose on the window.

Jett in costume #2 a black spiderman! Who says you have to limit yourself to one costume a year.

Berkeley eating

Berkeley eating her rice cereal. She does better in the bumbo than in her high chair. The high chair seems to swallow her up.

The hand sign shows up again. At least it is I love you and not something bad.

Berkeley loves her rice cereal. I have never had a baby enjoys it but she will gobble it up.

Lake Powell

So here are some pictures of our vacation at Lake Powell. We had tons of fun even though the weather was not traditional Lake Powell weather. We were able to experience all elements such as sun, rain, hail, wind and tornado warnings. So this first picture describes the first of the week and the clouds we faced.
I thought Lowell took a picture of the hail storm we encountered. It made me feel like I was a kid again in Bear Lake because no summer trip there was complete without hail, but here is a picture of the runoff from the storm.
So while it rained we played cards and watched movies. The kids were troopers through it all.

When the sun decided to come out we forced the kids out to play. We had a perfect spot because we could hike, play frisbee golf (which we made up the course) and play in the sand and then have contests (boys versus girls of course). We also had a great sand hill that we would hike up but then the last day the kids came up with a great idea of riding the knee boards down it instead.





See the sun really does exist. We started to lose hope and then it came out. The next post will have all the water pictures. So stay tuned.

Thank goodness for the houseboat. We were safe and WARM away from all the elements that came our way. While also offering a fun slide off the back for the kids to ride.


Here are just a few cute snapshots of my boys enjoying themselves. All in all, we would go again. It was fun just to be away from all the cares of the world!