Christmas Break 2011: Out with a Bang

I did not take any pictures for the rest of our break. (The one above was taken by my Dad on New Years Eve.)  I spent the week after Christmas being violently ill and praying that whatever I had didn't transfer to anyone else. (Luckily, it didn't.) Brad spent the week wrestling our two girls who temporarily forgot their manners (and their appetites) after Christmas.

By New Years Eve I was finally feeling better, and we celebrated by playing laser tag with my family and blowing stuff up. You heard me. Here is the explanation (this is how purely Idahoan I am): My Dad got some explosive stuff for Christmas, so we took it out to the Sand Dunes on New Years Eve and shot it with guns. It was quite fun, even resulting in some big booms that tore apart lava rocks and shook your soul. Yo howdy!

We attended Church with Brad's parents on New Years Day and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love their ward. The Sunday School lesson was amazing. Lainy was in Grandma's primary class and loved it!

Brad's mom made a delicious turkey dinner after church to send us on our way, then we loaded up the car and drove back to Seattle. Leah was still carsick, but I was slightly better at anticipating it which made for a much more pleasant drive.

It has been nice to be home and back in our routine, but we do miss our family. We wish we could see them more often! Maybe someday...

We hope you all had a merry Christmas and wish you the best in the new year!

Christmas Break 2011: Part Six

Part Six: Christmas

Christmas Eve was spent preparing a delicious feast with my Mom and Cassi. Oh the house smelled so good! And the food was even better!

We reminisced about favorite Christmases past, enjoyed the magic in the air that only Christmas Eve can bring, and snuggled into bed for a long winters nap.

The girls woke up to find that their Christmas wishes had come true.

 Brad and I had a few surprises and tricks up our sleeves too!

And when it was time for church, it felt right to leave the gifts and the wrappings and the fun to go sing hymns of praise.

We spent Christmas afternoon with the Hansens at Dallin and Leslie's home. They had prepared some yummy finger foods that we enjoyed while we talked and played. It was a nice, quiet afternoon.

We went to sleep exhausted and content. I'd call that a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Break 2011: Part Five

Part Five: Grand Targhee

A few days before Christmas, my parents took us up to Grand Targhee Ski Resort. We drove up a very bare mountain the night before our skiing was to begin with serious doubts. We told the girls to pray hard for snow, and guess what? It snowed! All night and most of the day! Kirsten called it a Christmas miracle. I personally think those little girls have an "in" with the man upstairs. I have a feeling He is quite partial to their innocent pleadings.

Guess who learned to ski?

My favorite part was when one of them would fall, they would just lay on the ground until their teacher came to pick them up. Apparently untangling skis is much too difficult for little legs to even attempt. Hilarious. That instructor got a serious workout!


 After a two year hiatus, I also re-entered the skiing world.  I was happy to discover that, though my stamina could use some serious work, for the most part I've still got it. And it felt good!

I refuse to mention a certain gentleman who usually snowboards but, on a whim, decided to try skiing one day and totally showed me up. Does he have to be good at everything?

He did have a mildly embarrassing moment, however, when he attempted to jump in a snow bank only to discover the snow was only a couple of inches deep. Ha! Take that Mr. Perfect!

We soaked our sore bodies in the super hot jacuzzi each evening and had fun playing games and eating late into the night. One of our nights there we held our Nazareth Night - one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Definitely a trip to remember! Thank you Mom and Dad!

Christmas Break 2011: Part Four

Part Four: Hansen Family Christmas Party

Most of the Hansen family left town for Christmas, so we had a party together a week early. We ate a wonderful dinner, then did Mom's special Nativity program. I think she had a part and a costume for everyone - 21 people (including brand new baby Madelyn).

Grandma Hansen (age 95), Mom, Grandma Boyer (age 93)

The angels: Lainy and Sarah Jane

Doug, Jessica, and dog Burley. They are expecting their own little miracle soon and we are SO thrilled for them!

Craig, Becca, and baby Madelyn

Waiting for the festivities to begin!

We ended the program by singing together a beautiful hymn written by Brad's mom. She is seriously gifted. It was a beautiful experience to sing about the Savior together. The perfect way to end the evening and usher in the week of Christmas.

ps: Bry and Rach - you were dearly missed! Next year maybe?

Christmas Break 2011: Part Three

Part Three: Salt Lake City

Brad and I were able to get away by ourselves to Salt Lake City for a couple of days before Christmas. We left the girls with my parents (my first time leaving them overnight!). The business of the trip was for Brad to interview with the University of Utah. My reasons for going were nostalgic.

6 years ago (on December 23rd) Brad proposed to me under the Christmas lights on Temple Square. While we were there we found our spot and remembered... It was fun and lovely and a much needed escape.