{A UT Christmas}

We ended our Christmas break back in UT. We celebrated with both sets of my parents, rang in the New Year, and even managed to catch up with a few friends (though not as many as we wanted). All in all it was a wonderful break from our house, and it always feels good to go "home". I did miss MD though. Except for the cold.

My Mom and Ray's Christmas tree. I don't know how she does it, but my Mom's tree looks perfect every year.

Jonas with his Dinosaur slippers.

G&G gave him the Handy Manny Construction set. I think he had as much fun looking at everyone on the box as he did playing with the pieces inside!

Waiting to open the goods.

Grandpa Ray, Devin, and Jonas watching football. As you can see, Jonas was happy as a clam to be watching a movie on Devin's computer. That way everyone wins!!

Back to Grandpa and Grandma Stevenson's. Taryn ended up with a new phone (her first) from Santa. We didn't hear much from her after that. She's sent and received more texts since Christmas than I have in my life!

Jonas telling everyone how excited he was to open MORE gifts. We had a great Christmas in Utah too. We were VERY spoiled. We have such a great family who loves us. We truly felt blessed to be able to spend time with them once again. We know it won't always be that way and we're so glad we got to enjoy it again this year! Thanks for all you did for us. We look forward to June :)

{An Idaho Christmas}

This year we went to Idaho for Christmas. It was lots of fun to see Devin's parents get to watch the grandkids open their presents from Santa. (Devin's brother and his family joined us)

Jonas didn't wake up until after 8 :) Although the other kids woke us up before 6. Their parents didn't establish "the time rule" with them :)

...and we had a replay of our MD Christmas when J wouldn't open any presents until he had something to eat. So Dad rescued him with a quick yogurt....

.....and that did the trick. Then it was off to open presents.

Alexa...almost lost in the mass of toys and paper.

Samantha and Jace. I love their faces. Who knows what they were opening...it didn't matter...they were excited every time.

We had a great trip to Idaho complete with a game of Capture the Flag. Uncle Kerin brought more Nerf Guns than I have ever seen and we shot at each other until we were too tired to shoot. We played hours of the Wii, ate lots of good treats, and made lasting memories. Thanks for all fun!!

{Utah Happenings}

Our first few days in UT are always crazy. Adjusting to time, seeing everyone again, and exploring our surroundings. My Dad had the whole first week off when we got there and it was HEAVEN! He watched Jonas so I could shower and nap. He put J in his car seat, carried him everywhere, got him out of his car seat, and took us where ever we wanted-including to lunch almost every day. It was my favorite part of our vacation. Spending time with Dad is rare-so we really took advantage of it! Thanks for all the fun Dad :)

We rode to Lehi to watch my little sister, Taryn play basketball on the Sophomore team. Since she is a Freshman, it was a pretty exciting event for her (and for us). She played VERY well and scored quite a few points-but I can't remember how many...sorry T.

This is a good picture! Rylee (our cousin) is the one on left facing us in red. Taryn is the other one in red facing us. It was a bonus to be able to watch them both in action :)

I missed T picking her spandex out of her....well....you know. But this does show her sweet shoes :)

She took her turn on the bench too.

Jonas was a great cheerleader. He looks drunk here...but he was just saying "Cheese" for the camera. He squints his eyes because the flash that comes next is so bright. Sooooo we get the cute "Cheese" smile...and the squinty eyes.

Brook was great fun for Jonas. She was willing to play anything with him and was his best bathing buddy ever. He LOVED bathing in the jet tub with bubbles.

Even though this car is for girls :) J loves it. It doesn't work, but Brookie pushed him around in it. She's always lots of fun!

Kaylee (Who stole my camera and took this picture-and still manages to get dates) is also great help with Jonas. She followed him around, made sure he didn't play in the toilet (again), and made plenty of treats for him. She also made sure he ate every piece of candy he found. Jonas learned to take the candy to Kaylee because she wouldn't tell him no!

THIS is how Taryn babysits. I asked her to watch Jonas while I showered. I came upstairs to find her asleep on the heat vent and Jonas in front of the TV waiting for someone to start his movie. Needless to say...she got fired :)

Taryn spent a lot of time resting on the heat vent. Since she gets up at 4:28 every day to get ready for basketball practice...I guess she deserves it.

Taryn decided to make these delicious cookies. Then she started asking questions like....what's soda? What if it says to put Soda and Powder in? Eventually I accused her of being a "Virgin" cookie maker. She threw us all for a loop when she yelled (and I quote)..."I am NOT a Virgin". Don't worry...we had a long talk about what did and did not qualify one as a "Virgin". She's got it all straight now.

This was the end results from Ms. Betty Crocker. Mile High Homemade Oreos. She enjoyed them. :) I love you Taryn :)

{A Maryland Christmas}

Since we went to UT/ID for Christmas this year, Santa was nice enough to make an early stop in MD and bring presents to Jonas. He must have understood the whole packing situation (and it was a situation!!). Jonas didn't wake up very happy and we eventually had to stop the festivities and eat some breakfast. That did the trick. Then he was more than happy to open presents.

After Breakfast. Much Happier Boy!

He must have opened clothes on this snap of the camera. Watching Jonas open clothes was the highlight of our Christmas. He'd peek in the box and if he saw clothes He was ANGRY. He'd slam the box closed and move on. He DID NOT want to open any clothes. Such a boy.

Posing with the first gift.

The Loot

Before we left for our 3 week vacation we rode the train in Walkersville with our friends. It was a cold day, but the kids didn't seem to mind. The ride included a visit with Santa who gave the kids Candy Canes. Jonas loves trains as of late-so he was in heaven.

Brady, Jackson, Lauren, and Kara joined us....

....so did Scotty, Aleese, Barrick, Lily, and Liam.

While Jonas didn't cry when Santa came, he didn't really smile either. He mostly tolerated him being there.

After the train ride we had (gross) Hot Chocolate and cookies in the museum. Jonas LOVED this train set. We must have watched it go around 100 times.

Since J loves trains so much, we took him to the mall to ride this little train. He was in Heaven (as you can tell by his face). He got to ride it twice. Once with Mom and once with Dad. He and I rode it a few weeks ago and he cried and signed for more when we got off. I felt so bad I made Devin take us back. His reaction was totally worth it. He loved it!

J and Dad on the train. I'm not very good at action shots :(