Spanish Fork, UT: 2011 Kramer Christmas Party

Over the past three days, we have been surrounded with loving family and it all started with the Kramer Christmas Party. A visit from Santa, decorating gingerbread houses, and playing with well-missed cousins were just some of the highlights for our boys.

While we welcomed Santa with holiday songs, Gavin and Quinley ran right into his lap. And after the party was over and we were driving home, we asked Gavin what was his favorite part of the party. To which he replied, "sitting on Santa's lap and shaking the bells." What Christmas joy!

Logan's name was pulled first out of Santa's sack to sit on his lap. He reacted as expected and I just love his body language.

And after watching Gavin and the rest of the great-grandchildren sit with Santa, we tried Logan with Santa again. He was a lot warmer to the jolly man but still very reluctant.

Hope you are having happy holidays!

Mapleton, UT: We made it to Utah!

On the eve of Christmas Eve, we made it to Utah. And after one giant family nap, we were playing with grandma's toys and visiting with well-missed family.

Peachtree City, GA: Preschool Festivities

The last day before the holiday break, Gavin's preschool and kindergarden group put on their annual Christmas program. Gavin had been practicing his songs at home for a couple weeks, so we were excited to see him in action. It was so hard to get a decent shot plus Gavin was half hiding behind his classmate Laney so bare with the pictures below. Sean recorded the program and is currently editing it together. We will try to post it later for those family and friends interested.

Gavin is wearing the green, gray, and white stripped sweater on the very right on the second raiser row.

Gavin's favorite song to practice was 'I'm a Little Green Tree' and at the end his face to shine was so classic Gavin.

After the program, his class had their own Christmas party where families were invited. Here is a shot of his class with the sweetest teachers, Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Handley. Sean and Mrs. Powell's husband work together so when we saw the Powell family at the work party later that weekend, Gavin spent more time over at Mrs. Powell's table than ours. That's how great these ladies really are!

There was story time with the lead party mom, which reminds me I'm excited to help for the Valentine Party soon.

Feeling like a big boy, Logan got to even enjoy snack time during the party.

Jacksonville, FL: Playing at Papa's

Like mentioned, Gavin and Logan woke the next morning at my father's ready to play the day away. Gavin's first words that morning were 'Can we go down to the garage and play?'

Little Logan and his four-wheeler.

Sometimes the boys would switch vehicles, and sometimes this made Gavin sad.

The boys were also gifted this amazing Hot Wheels wall track. They love watching the little cars fly threw the air and spin around the circle. Logan also loves ripping it off the wall, but in time he will learn.

Although our two day visit went by too fast, we had a fabulous time at Papa's. We had not seen Marilyn since graduation so it was so good to see her again. My only regret was I did not get any group pictures together and only snapped pictures of the boys enjoying their presents. Nevertheless, we had a great time altogether.

Jacksonville, FL: Santa Made an Early Visit

Two weeks before Christmas, we made the trek south and made one more early arrangement with Santa. Marilyn was down from Virginia, so we figured it was the perfect opportunity to gather for some pre-holiday celebrating. While visiting, Sean and I even went on a date to the Bonefish Grill where we shared some delicious dishes including chocolate creme brulee. The whole weekend was wonderful and a reminder of the great family that surrounds us.

Here are the boys opening their presents minutes after arriving. Santa had already stopped by before we arrived Friday night.

The boys were so excited to see Papa and Marilyn, and they were shocked to see presents under the tree.

But the real surprise was downstairs waiting for them in the garage. I love Logan's expression in the first picture below. I can imagine him saying, if he spoke: 'Look there is one just my size!'

One weekend while my father was visiting us, Gavin offered an evening prayer that included a Christmas wish for a basketball hoop. Looks like Santa delivered!

The boys were so excited that night and could not wait to play with everything in the morning.

Happiest Wishes this Christmas!

We have a lot of laughter and love in our home.

And this holiday season, we wish you the same.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Fayetteville: A Walk through Bethlehem

During the first weekend in December, Fayetteville Christian Church offered the community to experience past Bethlehem. Their life-size, acted replica of the town was complete with animals, shopkeepers, booths, shepherds, Roman soldiers, and inn-keepers. It was a beautiful recreation of what Bethlehem could have been. We followed the path of Mary and Joseph all the way to the manger. In the manger, Joseph sang about the new baby Jesus and as we were leaving that area Gavin whispered, 'that was really special mom.' I was touched how my own tiny babe (who will be 4 soon) was able to feel the spirit that night. It was a great family activity to help us focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

I chose not to take pictures during the tour and just experience it firsthand, but when we arrived in the 'marketplace' I started snapping away. The town had all these little stations of how-to's life back then.

Here is Gavin making some rope.

And now Logan tries his hand at rope-making.

Candle making while his hot chocolate cools.

Decorating his candlestick while his candle cools.

What a wonderful night remembering the reason for this season.

Ranger, GA: A Visit with Our Georgia Family

Way back when I was born, my parents lived next door to one of the greatest families. Meet Scott and Tonda Ramsey. They are Southern, which means they hug you like family, feed you like family, and kill you with kindness. I have very fond memories from the summers when my family would travel to North Georgia to visit the Ramseys. I will even admit that one summer at their house I was a crazy pre-teenager and refused to eat anything but tomatoes and hot dog buns. I am sure Sean had a similar phase as some point.

A few Saturdays ago, we cruised up to North Georgia again to make our first visit. They have this beautiful piece of property to explore and roam freely. Scott and Tonda are equipped for grandsons so Gavin and Logan felt right at home.

When we first got there, Gavin nearly took out his and Logan's head on the claw part of this tractor. They were on this little power-wheel Gator (pictured below) and Gavin did not know how to stop it. We yelled to stop but we were all way too far away to actually do anything. Luckily, both boys instinctively ducked.

Can you spot the preschooler freely riding the hills on the Gator?

At one point, he got really adventurous and rode down the hill on a tricycle.

'Look mom, no hands!'

Here is the infamous Gator.

Scott and Tonda even have a creek in the back of their property that the boys loved exploring.

Logan just liked to explore a little too close to the cold water.

What is it about nature, openness, and water that boys love so much?

Peachtree City: Trimming the Tree and Visiting with Santa

During one of Logan's naps, Gavin and I trimmed the Christmas tree. He was a superior ornament hanger. In fact, he hung up every single ornament himself. I, then of course, just moved several of them much higher for everyone's safety.

Every ornament got a close inspection.

And so far, there has been only one causality.

Jack Sparrow needs to have his key-holding dog glued back onto his jail platform.

After trimming the tree, we got dolled up for the Ward Christmas Party. Santa made a visit in front of the greatest back-drop I have ever seen. A gas fireplace was even brought in for the display.

And Logan acted exactly as predicted. I love how Santa already has his hands folded up, like 'Yup, that kid is not sitting on my lap.'

Harrisburg, PA: On Grandma's Lap

Before sadly saying our good-byes, we took some pictures with Grams. We had so much fun with her and cannot to visit again. We had a truly perfect visit.

I love the good shots, but the outtakes are always fun to look at too!

New Freedom, PA: Dinner with Cara and Anna

I love our laughs together.

I love our talks together.

Harrisburg, PA: Santa Made an Early Visit

Since we are surrounded by such loving families, we had to strike a deal with Santa about making early stops before December 25th. His first stop was with Grams. We left cookies, milk, and carrots and sure enough in the morning the jolly man delivered.

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Harrisburg, PA: Possibility Park Playground

With such gorgeous weather, we had to get out and enjoy it. There was this fabulous park not too far from my mother's where we took the boys twice. Sunshine, fresh air, and new friends: some of Gavin's favorite things.

Strasburg, PA: Santa's Paradise Express

For the Thanksgiving holiday, we headed north to spend some quality time with my mother in Pennsylvania. We had a fabulous visit with perfect weather, great company, and scrumptious food. I took zero shots on the actual turkey day, but there was turkey and us sitting around the beautiful table. You can probably imagine.

The next morning we boarded the Strasburg Railroad for their annual Santa's Paradise Express. The boys were so excited to ride a real train. Their smiles were so wide. It was such a delight.

We had gorgeous Lancaster County as our backdrop. Lancaster County a.k.a. Pennsylvania Dutch County a.k.a Amish Country.

Along the way, Santa even walked through our car visiting with each boy and girl. Logan was surprisingly cool as a cautious cucumber.

The shots taken below were done by our budding photographer Gavin.

Logan is the KING of facial expressions, and the boy knows it too.

After the ride, the train platform was set-up with shops, eateries, and kiddie activities including these hand-crank cars below. Gavin was quite good, but Logan still needed a little help.

Choo, Choo!