I Like to Play in the Snow, You Know and Shiver and Shake in the Snow, Ho Ho!

We have snow!!The kids were so excited to wake up yesterday morning and see lots of snow on the ground and more falling from the sky. Our sweet neighbors brought out an old wooden sled for the kids to play on. Cole pulled Sadie for awhile, then Sadie tried to pull Cole. She couldn't move him, so he said "It's ok, Sadie. Just hop back on and I'll pull you." It was so cute. They had the best time and didn't even realize it was cold. Jayda watched from inside...she kept hitting the window and yelling at the kids. You could tell she wanted to join them!
Mom interrupting the fun with picture time

Jayda gazing longingly at the kids

Sadie trying to pull Cole

Sadie "helping" Cole shovel the driveway

Cole pulling Sadie

Monster Truck Show!!

Bart and Cole had tickets for the Monster Truck Show in DC. They had a great time. Cole even got an extra bonus of sitting on a police officer's motorcyle outside the stadium. Cole's favorite truck was The Grave Digger, although he caught a Superman truck pillow that was signed by the driver, which he LOVES. Both Bart and Cole were impressed by the motorcyle show that was intermission entertainment.

Happy Kids

Although the days have been quite chilly, the kids have found ways to entertain themselves...
Sadie Jo in her crazy dress up outfit

I told Cole and Sadie to check on Jayda when she woke up from her nap and when I went upstairs, this is what I found! Party in the crib!

Jayda's tooth finally broke through and our happy girl is back!

Jayda standing up in her bed for the first time!

Enjoying Christmas Presents

Jayda LOVES her new activity cube

Sadie LOVES playing her guitar and singing

Cole LOVES building new towers for the marbles to roll down

Christmas Trip Part 5-Home Sweet Home!

So, we had had a really great trip, but we were also ready to head home. Bart and I ended up getting the stomach flu before we could leave Utah. The flight home wasn't very much fun, to say the least. Bart was with Cole, 10 rows in front of the girls and I. Fortunately, I was blessed with an angel in the form of a young man in his early 20's. James was incredible and helped me a great deal with Sadie and Jayda, especially since I wasn't feeling great. To make a long story short, we endured what was later described by one of the flight attendants as "the worst landing he had ever experienced in 20 years on the job" and an episode involving a fire truck and 2 ambulances. Needless to say, we were grateful to pull into our driveway.
Thinking that all the excitement had ended, we eventually put the kids to bed and headed there ourselves. No sooner had we layed down, we heard a shout from Cole. As Bart raced to Cole's room, I heard a sound that could only be described as trouble. I entered to find that Cole had vomited from the top bunk. The mess had landed in a huge heap in the middle of the floor, splattering onto everything in sight. We spent over an hour scrubbing the flour and wiping down every surface in the room, including almost every book in the book shelf. Not only that, the rag that Bart used to scrub the floor, stained the carpet green, which we didn't noticed in the semi darkness (Sadie slept through the whole thing) until it was to late. Even a run to Home Depot the next morning to rent a carpet cleaner didn't solved the entire problem.
So, we have promised ourselves no more trips and no more kids. ;) Welcome home!

Christmas Trip Part 4-UT

Utah was the last leg of our trip. We went to see the lights at Temple Square, had lunch at Cafe Rio with our good friends Jodi and Steve, went to see Bart's old roommate Jon and his wife Heidi and visited Bart's grandparents. It was a great way to end our vacation.
Cole and Sadie looking at the gorgeous statue of Jesus Christ

Our family at Temple Square in SLC

Bart and the kids with Great Grandpa and Grandma Stratton

Christmas Trip Part 3-ID

Idaho was wonderful. Again, lots of snow for the kids to play in. Cole, Sadie and Jayda had many cousins to play with. All 10 kids in my family were home for my parents homecoming (from their 18 month mission) so there were 41 grandkids present. It was awesome! We hadn't all been together in awhile, so we had a great time.
My parents with the new 8 grandbabies born in 2008.

Bart trying to recooperate

Cole, King of the Mountain!

Jayda playing with a new toy

Sadie not loving the cold so much

Cole, Sadie and Jayda Christmas Morning

Acting out the Nativity on Christmas Eve

Cole and his best buddy Ben

Christmas Trip Part 2-MT

We had a lot of fun visiting family in Montana. There was a ton of snow..more than had ever been there on previous visits and the kids were in heaven. They went sledding and made snow angels. The kids played on the train, experienced bowling for the first time, played with Grandpa S.'s bunnies and ate lots of Christmas treats.
Sledding with Grandpa S.

Playing on the train at the mall

Jayda with Grandpa and Grandma S.

One of Grandpa's bunnies

Cole LOVES to bowl!

Sadie did a great job bowling!

Christmas Trip Part 1-CA

We started our trip in Southern California. It was great to see lots of friends and to say good-bye for now as we have decided to extend our stay in the East. We suprised the kids with a trip to Disneyland. They had a ball and were in awe of all the Christmas decorations, rides and parade. It was fun to see the experience through their eyes.

Home Again!

We just got back from an extended, fun trip for Christmas. Since we were in so many places and doing lots of things, I am going to report our trip in different parts. So, check in the next few days for updates!