Christmas and New Years 2014!

Visiting Santa: When Mamma came for a weekend visit we went to the provo mall to visit Santa and go out to dinner at Red Robin. We had 1 out of 3 successfully sit on Santa's lap this year so I call it a step in the right direction. Chloe and Avenlea were both too scared to go near him but little Blain climbed right up and proceeded to tell him that he wanted an airplane. After the visit we decided that he would probably get the bugs that he had written in the letter. Chloe informed us that she might sit on Santa's lap when she is 5 years old.

 Blain sitting with Santa

 Marie and Summer sitting with Santa

 fun merry-go-round while we waited for our seats at the restaurant

 Chloe was whipping her horse to go faster

Santa's Village in Lehi: We took a trip to the "north pole" where we go hot chocolate, cookies, train rides, another visit with santa, and a show with some talented singing elves. It was a nice little outing that lasted about an hour but it was perfect for our crowd of 10.

 Blain and I on the train with cookies!

 Our group on the train

 Chloe and Blain

 Family shot by the north pole

 Group shot by the light of the pole

Christmas at Em and Ted's: We have been camping out at Em's for almost 2 weeks now ever since Nate got out for Christmas break. There has been lots of family around and lots of fun!

 Sharing the ipad watching Christmas cartoons

          Christmas Pageant: Molly and Sam put together the Christmas Pagaent this year complete with costumes and lines for the little ones to put on and the adults to enjoy. It was Grammy's favorite part of Christmas and the video is SO cute.

 Blain the "tax" man, innkeeper #2 and a wiseman

 Mary (Marie) and Joseph (Tiaga), innkeeper #1(Elly), Innkeeper #2 (Blain), Angel and innkeeper #3 (Chloe), avenlea was a wiseman, Kota was baby Jesus, Ammon was a sheep, Aya was the star, and Summer was super cute.

          Christmas Eve: We all opened the Mitchell traditional Christmas pajamas Christmas eve and kept with the Moyeda tradition of Tamales and beans and rice. I made the best beans of my life by adding bacon to the standard salt, pepper and cumin. The kiddos all went to bed really easy and loved trying to listen for the bells that meant Santa was coming.

Chloe in her Christmas Eve jammies - I made the pants and all the babies did their handprint and footprint for the shirt. I think they turned out really cute!

Kisses from Avenlea

Family Christmas shot - we couldn't get a happy shot without Blain holding the camera or Chloe holding that present (it wasn't even hers ;)

Daddy and Little Avenlea

Blainito in his Christmas jammies

Avenlea playing in her box

All three in their matching Christmas pajamas

Christmas Day was lots of fun even if it was a little rushed because I had to work at 9 so that meant waking up at 6. Blain's favorite gift was a yellow slinky he got in his stocking and Chloe said she loves her Art Box the most. Avenlea had a lot of fun in her new tunnel. I got an awesome MEAT SLLICER which we put to good use slicing up the Christmas ham and then bacon for breakfast the next morning. Nate got a rangefinder and new batter for his laptop. If was a fun day with lots of family and playtime.

Debbie gets married! Debbie and Patrick got married the 27th and they had a really nice reception which everyone enjoyed. My arms were sore the next day from dancing/holding/spinning them all night but it was definitely worth it.

Delicious cake that Debbie and Patrick made themselves and looked beautiful

little gamers - "i'm computering" by Blain

One day you will get to play computer Blain

         Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma Moyeda: Dad and Peggy came up on the 29th so we could exchange gifts and of course give dad some rubs. The kiddos loved their presents and all 5 of us sisters pitched in to get them a private sleigh ride over in midway. I made them some hot chocolate and homemade cookies to take. They really enjoyed it!

present time

only shot I got of dad and peggy

avenlea opening her snow suit

Blain loved his fireman dress up and captain america sword

New Years Eve at the Zoo:  The Hogle Zoo was free on the 31st so we bundled up and went. I'm so glad we went because we saw a lot of animals and it wasn't too crowded. Avenlea loved the furry animals and wanted to pet them all, while Blain wanted to spend all our time watching the seals.

Gorillas

Looking at the Giant Tortoise

Blain also really liked all the snakes

Avenlea kept reaching out her hand and doing her little "ooo ooo" meaning she wants the animal

Since admission was free we let them all ride the carousel. Chloe and Blain had fun but Avenlea was kind of fussy throughout the whole thing.

My sweet family after the Merry Go Round ride

We went back to Em and Ted's to spend New Years Eve where we had a dance party, played Apples to Apples, and watched Ratatoille. Chloe was the only one to make it to midnight, Blain fell asleep at 11 and we put Avenlea to bed around 9. Em has the pictures on her camera so hopefully I can update later. Happy New Year!