Resuscitating...and 1..

So it is under two years since the last post....hoping it'll find some life.  I think posting something old is a good start! I was strolling down memory lane on the blog last night and found this and thought, tis is (almost) the season..I can just repost as a kick start. A little backwards, but that's kind of par for the course.

It is so hard to keep the following in mind, but I'm really going to try harder this year to make it about the important things...

http://flporters.blogspot.com/2008/11/tis-season.html

Our trip

was a busy one. We decided in the fall that we would spend Christmas in Idaho with Brandon's family. The last time we spent Christmas there we were telling everyone we were pregnant with Hannah.  The main reason though was so that Cole could have his uncles and Grandpa stand in on his ordination to the office (?) of a deacon.  My child turned 12.  I think I'm glad we were out of our element and I didn't have a whole lot of time to dwell, otherwise I would've been a drama queen.  This thankfully happened also when he had to get his 5 year old shots.  I just forgot and thank goodness it was sprung on both of us.  The time I took him to get his first shots ever I used the whole box of kleenex they have so handily in the little room there.  Fairly certain the doctor was sooo over it.

I digress...

So we left on the 18th.  Due to some scheduling snafoos. Cole and I traveled separately from Brandon, Laura and Hannah.

Cole and I arrived in SLC ten hours before the trio.  We were met by Susan, Scott, Julie, Scotty, Jane and Parley.  We went downtown and got lunch at a yummy pizza place and then went to the discovery play place.  Then went to the church history museum and parts of temple square...COLD, which was a common theme when I wasn't inside with a warm fire ;).  Then we went to eat at the red iguana, really hot salsa place that was featured on some show on the food network.  It was good, but I chose a mole and shouldn't have.  Anyways, the trio (Brandon, Laura and Hannah) were delayed so we went back to see the lights at temple square. Very pretty and still COLD!

Finally got the trio, and headed to SE Idaho.  That's more detail than the other days will get..

Here's some pics to help liven this up..

A summary of our favorites during the trip
Tastee Treet..this is the Dairy Queen type of eating place that Brandon's dad owned while he was growing up (his brother Steve now owns it).  Anytime we've asked what was the kids' favorite thing, this is on top.  We really love it there, maybe it's because it's so nostalgic...oh wait maybe only Brandon can use that as an excuse..? I do have 15 years of nostalgia credit!

Other fun things were

cousins (especially babies :) )
sledding
seeing old friends
Cole and Scotty's awesome bday party
horse drawn wagon ride to see a live nativity (COLD) with the largest/hottest fireplace ever..at the end, wonderful
game nights
the snow - soo beautiful!
seeing negative temps (although we think our car was lying)
Grandma's Christmas table set so beautifully
navajo tacos!!
feeling the love of everyone arranging their lives and schedules to be with us!

None of us really wanted to go home.  It was one of the hardest times to leave.  And as much as I've complained about the COLD, it was less than it times past and I realized it was livable.  It was a good time had by all!!

Here's a few snow/sledding pics, hope to add more...

Learning the hard way

sometimes over and over.
Today has been one of those days.

So as to maybe not to have to repeat these particulars again...

Keep mouth closed just 1/4 of the time I want to open it and settle down, gracious. ( the thought of potentially not repeating this one is hilarious)

Never let someone cut my baby's hair after the words stacked bob has come out of their mouth.  :( 

No matter the good intentions. DO NOT COOK A TURKEY! ugh!

And to end on a positive note...

Our beloved middle child ;)

Then there's sweet Laura, the best care taker, obedient, seemingly quiet child. She more often does what she's supposed to do when she's supposed to do it.  If she has the right amount of sleep and food, but that's all of us!

Laura loves all things physical.  She was potty trained before 2, with a slight lapse because of trip.
She taught herself the last lessons of riding a bike on a gravel campground hill, lives and breathes the water, loves skating, rides at the fair.  If something needs to be opened or accomplished she doesn't give up and can usually find a way to reach her goal. 

She watches people and cares about their emotions.  She has always gotten the attention of a redhead with the personality of a brunette.  She is definitely growing into and accustom to that attention and adapting well. 
I am so proud of her courage in facing her challenges!!!

This child o' mine

In one day Hannah:

cut her hair at school, because the scissors were there and they tempted her

asked what it would be like to be at a Justin Beiber show in person and wants a JB poster (NOT happening)

told me at dinner with a guest present and with all sincerity and seriousness, that "I am getting "those things" on my chest (pointing to her breasts), you know, like you have". Then squeezed her chest together with her arms.  

What in the world are we in for?

this blog design so needs help, any takers???

here are the rest of cole's poems....

http://cpsstories.blogspot.com/

Didn't want to leave you hanging for those pics :).  And for the record we have had our Be grateful (sp)  up all year and it is mixed in with our Christmas decor.

So fun (for me) to look at...and I've realized I need to kick it up a notch in my Christmas morning attire, gracious...