2011, Week Fifty-Two, part 2

Hooray for technology! We spent time with the California Montoyas and Yoons via Skype which enabled us to open presents together. While these experiences are super, they don't quite compare to the real thing. We're going to have to go down to California later this year to visit them!

Wrestling in pajamas? It must be bedtime!

Last week Keegan surprised us by taking a few steps. This week he learned how to crawl onto things.

The forecast called for freezing rain/hail for the next few days so we took our Christmas lights down with the sun shinning.

Dallin did his part to rock in the new year.

We celebrated New Year's Eve with the Caruthers and Kellys!

After the kids went down for the night, we stayed up pretty late playing poker and laughing hysterically. Tara ended up winning all of the mini Reese's peanut butter cups that we used for chips. Way to go Tara!
Happy New Year everybody!!

2011, Week Fifty-Two, part 1 - Despain Reunion

Plenty of people participated to piece together the plethora of pleasantly profound puzzles. Uncle Danny and Aunt Shannon stayed up all night on Christmas Eve to finish the biggest one!

Our last day at Ensign Ranch was mostly spent cleaning and packing up but we still found a few moments of playtime.

Dallin and Bryant thought it would be funny to pack themselves up!

These innovative cousins found new ways to play last-minute games.

Keegan enjoyed being scooped up out of the way from the hustle and bustle.

Orlando loves this picture.

Unfortunately we had to go our separate ways but a few of us ended up at Grandma Sheila's house for continued fun.

And tennis in the cold, wet, dark night!

Back home nice comfy and warm.

Twins!

As the week progressed, the Pedersens and some of the Goldings left for home. So we made sure to enjoy the company of those who stayed!

Warmer, brighter, and dryer tennis followed as we hit the courts every morning.

Uncle Danny and Orlando played a massive three hour match with Uncle Danny clinching the victory. Go Uncle Danny!
We had a howling good time playing Betrayal at House On the Hill where the werewolves won.

Orlando and the boys have the best timing when it comes to wrestling. Right before bedtime!

Dallin's gnarly bed-head.

Blasting off with Haley.

We love Grandma's house!

There is really only one word to describe the hours spent enjoying the spoon game. Epic.

Four player simultaneous chess proved to be as delightfully chaotic as we'd hoped. Orlando found himself out of the game after just four turns when he was put into an inconceivable checked situation from three fronts. So for him, it was one of his favorite chess games ever.

Chalk this week at Grandma's house to good semi-clean fun!

Alas, Tara had to work on Friday so we departed one of the best vacations we're ever had.

But the weekend is still on it's way!

2011, Week Fifty-One, part 3 - Despain Reunion

Story time is good all of the time, especially when Grandma Sheila is the one reading.

Here we come a-caroling oh here we come a-caroling.

More time spent horsing around.

Do you know who planned, coordinated, organized, and worked hard on nearly everything to make this reunion one of the best ever? Yes, the beautifully brilliant Tara.

No shortage of ammunition for snowballs.

The sweetest thing that we experienced may have been the children's nativity.

As per tradition, pizza for Christmas Eve dinner!

Then it's time to do the sibling/cousin gift exchange! Jessalyn was so excited!

Adorable Lydia and Shayla.

Date night!

Plenty of these moments but Missy's photo says it the best.

New pajamas too!

Lining up in the hallway in anticipation for the mounds of presents that Santa brought!

Merry Christmas!

Dallin's gift to Mom and Dad brought tears to their eyes.

Being with our family was the best gift of all.

And what better way to show the love of families? Snowball fight!

The kids took great pleasure in pelting Orlando.

We had intended to play football but that led to the flinging of snowballs which inevitably led to this.

Our family posing with missionaries, Elder Snow and Elder Frost.

More sledding and snowballs!

The sun went down but our love for snow sports sure didn't.

My oh my. So lovely.

Everyday I'm shuffleboardin.

Group shot!

One last massive multiplayer Magic game with Aspen going home with the win. That was pretty impressive considering that she just learned how to play during this reunion.
Finally, the biggest news of the month, look who's walking now!

Next week the fun continues!

Despain Photo Shoot

Our new favorite photographer, Steve Rydgren, drove all the way over to shoot us for the most complete Despain family photo ever!

Get enough Despains together in one room and this is what happens.

Our happy family enhanced by the wondrous scenery.

Spectacular sisters sporting sweet scarves.

The core Despains.

Tara + Orlando

Dallin!

The photo shoot took pace Christmas Eve morning and it was the best experience with a group this massive.