New Years Eve

We decided to use our passes to the St. George Rec Center to play racquetball.  The courts were all being used and we didn't have a reservation so we played pool until one of the courts became available.  The kids had fun playing racquetball until Ethan hit me with a ball and he got nervous.

So we went to play in the arcade area.  The kids had a rough game of air hockey.  They couldn't agree on rules and Courtney accused Ethan of cheating.

When we left the Rec Center it started to snow.  Can you see the little snowball on the windshield wiper?  It's on the right of the center above the right tail light of the truck.  It's super small.

But before we got to Bluff Street the snow had turned into this.

So we stayed home and ate dinner.  There was a seafood sale at Harmons so I got crab and shrimp.  It was a feast and so much fun.

There was a multi-stake youth dance but the kids didn't want to go so we stayed up until midnight and went to bed.

Dentist

In an effort to avoid missing as much school as possible, the kids have their dentist appointments over Christmas break.  They both did a great job and didn't have any cavities.

Ethan is almost too long for the dentist chair!

Courtney is going to have to get a tooth pulled soon.  She has 2 teeth that are missing.  One of the baby teeth under where the missing tooth should be just isn't going to come out without help and they can't do braces until she gets that tooth out.  But the dentist said it can wait until probably May when they are ready to do the braces.  Poor girl has a messed up mouth with her missing teeth and things growing in sideways.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We have some fun traditions that we always try to do on Christmas Eve.

We make Christmas cookies for Santa, we read Christmas stories, we eat Pizza Hut pizza on a blanket in front of the Christmas tree, we play the chimes, and we open Christmas pjs.  So much fun!!

Courtney took over making the cookies for Santa.  She did a great job!

 Ethan read "Davey's First Christmas" to us and Bryan read the account from Luke.

The kids matched in their Christmas pjs.  I was so happy when Ethan asked me one night if I would make their Christmas pjs this year.  I haven't done that for a few years because they wanted me to buy them.  But I was thrilled to make the pjs.  Ethan even got shorts!

Christmas morning arrived bright and early.  We told the kids they had to wait until 6:30 am and they were up bright and early trying to get us up.

They got to see what was in their stockings and their gifts from Santa.  Then after a while Grandma and Grandpa Oman and Aunt Leigh Ann came over and the gift opening began.

Courtney was happy to get all her stuff.

Knives from my dad.

Courtney found this shirt and thought it was hilarious!  Just in case Ethan wrecks on his bike and someone finds him.

Courtney got this warm bunny socks that she loves.

Santa took pity on poor Courtney and bought her an iPhone 7.  Ethan got a Nintendo switch which he thought was awesome!

It was an awesome Christmas with lots of fun stuff!!

Christmas lights

We always like to take a drive around to look at Christmas lights and stop by the Temple to look at all the lights.  There weren't as many lights this year as in years past but it was still nice to walk around the Temple.

We took the traditional pic of Ethan and Courtney under the arch in the back corner of the Temple grounds.

Courtney bragged that she could carry Ethan so he decided to take her up on it.  She's pretty strong!

Run Run Reindeer

We like to participate in the Run Run Reindeer every year to get our Christmas holiday going right.  Five years ago we had a major snowstorm that began during the run, so we are always hopeful it will happen again.  This year was great weather for a run.

Courtney and Bryan ran it while Ethan and I stayed to cheer them on.

Here they are getting ready to start the race.  So many people dress up for this race and it's hilarious to see them all.  Courtney and Bryan went with their regular running clothes.

Here comes Courtney to the finish line!

Bryan is in the black just off center.  

When they finish the race they get donuts, Chick-filet, hot chocolate, and other stuff.  The sun was right in their faces when I took this pic so Courtney's face is a bit weird.

The runner with her medal...which is HUGE!!

Taking a bite out of the cookie on her medal.

Christmas Caroling

Ethan's friend invited him to go Christmas Caroling with him and a group of friends.  I wasn't sure what to think but Ethan was excited to go and spend time with his buddies.  They had a blast!  When he came home he was full of stories of their caroling antics.  They had 2 part harmonies going and even had dance moves.  I am impressed!!

I am so grateful that he has a bunch of kids that are good influences in his life.  The kid that organized it all was on the mountain bike team but the other kids were from school.  They were all good kids and they had a lot of fun with each other.  And he has a great memory to hold on to. 

I hope they do it again next year because the dance moves were my favorite!

Haircut

Courtney got a cute new haircut!  Her friend, Hayley, has an older sister who cuts hair.  So I called Emily and she cut Courtney's hair.  She cut a few inches off and it looks so cute!