Christmas Trip Utah 2016 Part 2

Tim and Miles have some similarities. I miss living so close to Devin and Sarah and Tim!

This picture brings me SO much joy. This is the first time Katelyn was old enough to actually care about her cousins when she saw them.

Most handsome guy in the room. He's even more handsome holding that baby boy.

Grandma makes Christmas come to life. Her decorations and gifts bring huge smiles, but her positive attitude and love is the main reason Christmas morning is so special at her house.

Aunt Megan gave the kids a board game. The BEST board game. You have to work together to win. There should be more board games like this. My kids are so much happier when they are done playing and they had so much fun!

Miles and Aunt Megan!

Katelyn loved her Christmas present.

Ben's Christmas gift to mom was to help her with house projects. A few of them were replacing light bulbs, going to get two ikea pieces of furniture and then put them together. 

Katelyn was SO lucky to play with Brittany so much. Especially because she was in a "you can only touch what I give you" phase. Brittany was so patient!

Trip to BYU while the boys went to Star Wars with Grandma. We love this campus. We love BYU. Go Cougs!

We met at the ski rental place. 

First ski trip!

Troy got it down after a couple of hours. Liam got it by the end of our morning. Ben and I, especially Ben (because he was with Liam), were exhausted after. But we were so proud of these boys for sticking with it. Its hard the first day. I hope we can go twice next year.

"We did it" smiles.

Back to Grandmas to play some more.

Not pictured: Michael's baptism in Preston, Idaho. Katelyn stayed with Grandma Jana, since we didn't have enough seats. It was so special to have Troy see his best friend choose to be baptized. Troy's own enthusiasm and desire grew.

We went back to Stefan's family for some food and great conversation. What a beautiful home and land. It was also fun to see Elder Harris and Sister King (missionaries that were in our area and are getting married!) 

We went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Allsop one more time. 

Devin and Sarah were on a date, so we got to have Tim with us.

We put Tim to bed with Liam, but there was no sleeping involved. Poor Tim missed mom and dad.

Katelyn was so excited to sleep on the top bunk.

Flight home. Katelyn organized her snacks.

This picture shows our exhaustion well. Troy didn't make it far before he fell asleep. Haha.

Christmas Trip Utah 2016 Part 1

Looking at these pictures to get on the plane give me butterflies. We get SO excited to see our families and celebrate the birth of Christ with them.

Katelyn was going through a "pose like a ninja" phase.

Liam is so excited that he can't hold still! He put that window cover up and down a hundred times. I asked him to stop a few times before I realized I needed to distract him before he would be able to obey.

Big helper Troy!

Katelyn was upset about something..

Selfie distraction!

This boy was a champ. Way to go Miles!

We got in Saturday night and spent the night at Grandma Jana and Grandpa Corey's. So much joy when we reunite!

The next night we went to the Merrill Christmas party. They were so sweet to postpone it a day so that we could come. We didn't get to come the last year, so we were so grateful! I love that the kids wanted to put on the manger scene so badly. Miles got to play baby Jesus again.

The famous newspaper game. I think the adult and child gifts were accidentally switched ;P

Ben goes to check on the kids to make sure they go to sleep. Katelyn is always in a humorous position.

Party at Tyler and Annie's! Look at these three baby cousins! Miles, Alex, and Brynlee. Two new daddy's right there. 

I went to a fabulous Murray girls reunion at Rachel's parents house (no pictures.. ugh) and Ben went with Devin and Sarah to Seven Peaks. It was quite the night I missed! But I was so happy to see my friends again. They are great examples to me and Instagram just isn't the same!

I was shocked to see that all of the kids were good for Santa. Especially Katelyn.

Grandma always knows how to entertain these kids.

The boys loved playing their pieces for Grandma!

Miles enjoyed bonding time with Grandma Jana and Grandpa Corey!

We rented a car instead of a van or SUV and saved about 500 dollars. But that meant that someone had to drive one of our kids. It wasn't usually a problem, but mom was really kind to meet us at my moms to drive back down to her house. 

Devin, Sarah, Tyler, Annie, and Alan came to hang out with us at Mom Allsop's house. We are starting to really fill a house. 

Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Allsop's house. I love this picture. They are so sweet, such good examples of faith, of love, and service.