happy birthday hailey

 We had a great time at Hailey's birthday party Saturday. The kids always love spending time with their cousins!

to infinity and beyond...

Saturday morning we met up with our Johnson cousins to see Toy Story 3 on ice! The kids have been playing this game on the X-Box a lot lately so they were really excited. It was a great show with lots of fun songs, tricks and all our favorite characters. Thanks Grandma!!

fun on the lake.

bike ride

Monday we went to lunch with Kevin's family (the kids had a great time at Peter Piper Pizza) and then stayed to hang out for a while. Before heading home we went for a bike ride to a nearby park. Karter just learned how to pedal his bike, so this was a thrilling ride for him. On the way to the park, Kevin's mom taught Koltyn how to pedal too!

Christmas 2011

These three pictures pretty much sum up our Christmas this year. The kids woke up a little after seven in the morning to this wonderful sight, Santa had come! They got right to it, opening their stockings and gifts. I would say they all got the most excited when they opened the Kinect for the X-Box. Karter's face was especially priceless.

 We were so happy to have Christmas on Sunday and get to attend a great sacrament service with beautiful music and touching testimonies. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve 2011

It has become tradition to spend Christmas Eve with my family. This year was no exception. Last year, my sister started a new tradition of matching pjs for all the grandkids. She spends lots of time finding enough fabric and making a pair of pants for each of the kiddos. Thanks, Steph!

 After a prime rib dinner we had lots of fun with a variety of activities. From lego building, ornament making and, most importantly, the nativity to playing carols with chimes and bells, we had a packed night of fun.

 It is a Hallsted tradition to do a flame with Christmas dessert. My mom was even able to find apple shaped bowls just like the ones my grandma (her mother) always served it in.

Ahhh, tradition!

temple lights

 Friday we had dinner with the Hallsted family. My uncle had this old car out front, covered in lights, with Santa hanging out in the front seat. Karter and Koltyn were loving it.

Afterwards we headed to the temple to see the lights. It was beautiful as usual and the kids couldn't get enough. I especially enjoy seeing all the nativity sets in the visitor's center. As we walked out the lights were shut off and the kids were pretty sad. We have never closed out the temple lights before.

rustler's rooste

 Wednesday night we met up with the Johnson family at Rustler's Rooste for dinner and gift exchange. During dinner, a balloon artist came by to make anything the kids wanted. He was very talented to say the least. Kimble got a Rudolph, Karter got a Spiderman and Koltyn got a monster truck. There was also a slide inside the restaurant that the kids could not get enough of. Fun, fun, fun.

 After dinner, they let us use the patio for our gift exchange. It was an awesome view of the valley. The kids absolutely loved the gifts that they were given. We are so lucky to have such a generous family!