Christmas Day

Christmas morning pictures:

the gifts from Santa

Mikelle got my old barbie house. I cleaned it up and Santa got some new barbies and a barbie car to go with it. It was really fun to give Mikelle something that had been so special to me. My Mom designed it, and my Dad and Grandpa built it.

Jonah got an Animal Talking Zoo

Tyrel wanted a basketball hoop and a baby

I love his pose here

We also got to talk to Michael on Christmas (we can talk to him on Christmas and Mother's Day). Actually we were able to do a video chat, this is everyone gathered together to say hi.

Matt actually hooked the computer up to the tv so we were able to see Michael on the big screen.

The boys playing ball

watching a movie together

We took a trip to temple square. It has been years since I've gone up there and I was really excited, too bad it wasn't as exciting to the kids; as you can see on Jonah's face (he was really tired though).

Rachel and I

The nativity scene at temple square

Christmas Eve

Since Christmas fell on Sunday this year, we decided to open all the presents on Christmas Eve, and then just have the 'Santa' gifts for Christmas morning, so we had time to get ready for church. I actually loved it and want to start this tradition. I really love going to church on Christmas and putting more of an emphasis on Christ, I wish the Christmas date moved around like Easter does. Anyway, we had all my family here (minus Mike who is on his mission in Oregon, but will be home in May); and Keith here, so it was a full house and really fun.

Christmas Eve Dinner

The mini key lime pies my Mom made

You can tell it's Oliver's first Christmas, look at all those cameras

The BYU blanket I made for Matt

new pajamas

Aaron's new coat

Rachel with her new kindle

I got 'Our Best Bites' cookbook

Kayla opening the book Aaron made for her

The boys in their new sports attire

Chicago

In October, Matt left to go to Chicago for THREE MONTHS to attend Code Academy (a computer programming program). He got to come home for 10 days over Thanksgiving, but other than that, that's all the time we got to see him over the three months. On December 20th, he had Demo Day (where the students present what they have learned and been working on/hope to build), and I was able to fly out to Chicago and go to Demo Day and then we drove home to Utah together and got in right before Christmas. It was a long three months, and we are glad it's over; but Matt learned a lot and is ready to build! Here are some pictures from the trip:

Matt's Code Academy picture

Demo Day presentation

The Sear's Tower, now known as the Willis Tower, is the tallest building in North America (110 stories). The Demo Day Event was right across the street from it.

Just in case you wondered where Matt lived for the past three months

We spent the next morning on Michigan Avenue (a.k.a. The Magnificent Mile) which is a huge shopping/business/everything else in the heart of Chicago.

I loved the architecture in Chicago, it is beautiful

Lake Michigan

At the Nauvoo Temple

We got there at about 7 pm (in the middle of winter); and it was pretty much a ghost town. Everything closed at 3 and there were no people or cars, but we got to see the temple.

'The Prophet's Last Ride'

This was the best we could take of the two of us

We got to stop and spend the night with Matt's Aunt and her family in Missouri. I had never met them before, so it was really exciting to see them and all the country on the drive back to Utah.

I blurred out the name of the town where Matt's Aunt lives, but the sign says 'population 44'. Now that's a small town.

Beautiful country, notice the 'share the road' sign, never seen one of those before.

Kansas

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