Sledding

Christmas in Gunnison

This year we were lucky enough to get spend the weekend after Christmas in Gunnison with Greg's family. It all started with a few presents still under the tree. The kids saw them and didn't let them stay wrapped for long. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the cute cute books. I am a sucker for books we can never have enough. Matayia got a sticker maker from Jacie and Kaitlyn got a Dora lantern from Seth. Thanks guys!!! We got a weekend away from Curtis and Marsha and we are looking forward to going to Heber somtime later in the spring. (Greg says we will go when the weather is good enough to golf) Have you ever heard of a wiggle car?? Well they sure are fun, Thanks for the cars for the kids to ride, they sure had fun zooming around the gym.



Saturday started with a few intense games on the Wii, but we decided to take the kids outside to go sledding. It was really cold and I wondered how long it would last. But as soon as we got to the hill the girls didn't seem to notice the temperature. The hill (aka road) that we went sledding on was just perfect for the kids, long, but not too steep for the kids. The only problem was that it made for a really long walk back up. It took a little talking for Matayia to ride down on the runner sled, and the only way she would go was on her dads back. But after she walked all the way back up the hill the smile on her face said it all, she really liked it! Kaitlyn went down the hill once and then decided that she preferred to just play in the snow with all the girls. The Weekend ended with a fierce game of lighting at the gym. I ended up with a big bruise on my knee. Just a little battle wound for an old lady like me. My body doesn't move as well as it used to. But I did manage to get my husband out a few times. Thanks for the fun weekend in Gunnison, we always love being together with our family.

Grandpa playing the Wii...

Grandpa is a little new to the Wii idea. We showed him how to use the controller. But we all had a good laugh when he insisted on imagining there was a scope on the top of his controller. No standing for grandpa either he was in a crouched shooting position.


I hate to say, but as you can see neither of these tactics helped out with his accuracy!! Sorry Grandpa maybe next time!!

Heavy Heavy Snow!!

I convinced Greg that we could leave our trampoline up all winter. I am convinced a little snow, will just make your trampoline bouncier in the summer!?! But we have been getting alot of snow this winter. So Christmas day as we looked out the window and saw our tramp stretching closer and closer to the ground Greg became a little nervous. So as soon as we were done eating Christmas dinner, with all the uneaten food still on the table (this was urgent!) we put on our snow clothes and went outside to rescue the tramp from the snow.


The girls both got snow shovels from Santa so they were excited to get to use their new shovels. I suggested that we just get on the tramp and "jump" the snow off, but Greg thought I would take the tramp over its weight limit.(thanks Greg) So as you can see I shoveled from the ground. It was a cold cold day and I will have to admit, that snow was really heavy. But look at the bright side, I'm sure we are going to have a really bouncy tramp come this spring!

Merry Christmas

We have now decided to stay home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This year I have really been thinking about Christmas traditions, and what we want to do with our own little family. I am not quite set on any traditions yet, but still looking for the best thing for us. This year we went out to dinner on Christmas Eve, we went to Olive Garden. When we pulled up it was really crowded, but when we went in they seated us immediately. Dinner was good as it always is at Olive Garden. After we filled up on great Italian food we headed home to have a "movie night". Matayia and Kaitlyn loaded up on all kinds of treats and we went downstairs to enjoy a viewing of Horton Hears a Who. The movie was cute but I think the kids always enjoy new cartoons. We then picked out the cookies for Santa, wrote him a note and headed to bed. Matayia was really excited she could barely hold still but amazingly they both fell asleep really fast.

Christmas morning didn't come to early for us, I have trained Matayia well in the art of sleeping in and Christmas day was no different. Greg rolled out of bed about 7:00 complaining that he had been awake for a hour, and just couldn't lay in bed any longer. As for me I had no problem laying in my nice warm bed, I really look forward to the girls jumping in my bed with me in the mornings. Greg went out and turned on some Christmas music, set up his camera and played with his flash, setting up the perfect lighting for pictures. And the girls snored on... Greg came back to the room and we thought about waking them up, but the girls snored on... About 7:45 Matayia staggered into our room and announced that she thought that Santa had come. We sent her to the bathroom while Greg went and woke up Kaitlyn. The rule is, the whole family goes to see the presents together but someone must of forgotten to inform Kaitlyn. Because as Matayia was finishing using the bathroom Kaitlyn busted through Greg, and dashed for the presents, there was no holding her back. And so, Christmas morning began...




Matayia was really excited to get an "Easy bake Oven" Kaitlyn walks around the house singing "Easy Bake what ya going make" (she thinks it's hers)



Kaitlyn was excited to get her princess tea cart and immediately went to get her dress up on just like the girls on the box. Maybe Kaitlyn is a little more Princess then we thought!!



She was also excited about the guitar that Matayia gave, but I am glad the guitar has a OFF button for my sanity!!



And here Matayia was "done" having her pictures taken!!! (a first for Matayia)



Thanks Stacey and Melissa for making me look like a sewing loser. (we really do enjoy the aprons and pillowcases)



This year I scored, I got a Wii from Santa, and some new Christmas dishes from mom!!(I have wanted Christmas dishes for years)

Since Greg is the designated camera man in our house you don't see any pictures of his new presents. But I know he will enjoy his new TaylorMade golf irons when the snow melts off the golf coarse. (a patient building gift, in more ways than one!!)

Thanks Santa, and all our family for the great gifts!!!!

Snow Day

We have got alot of snow already this year and the weather man says we should expect alot more this week. The girls were so excited to go out and play in the snow, Along with all the neighbor boys. I just wanted to post a few cute pictures...

Global Warming!!!

Our SnowWoman was feeling the effects of Global Warming so we dressed her in a little red Bikini!!

Thanks to all....

Who made our weekend in Logan so great. Thanks dad for the great Mountain man breakfast, and the many kisses to everyone who stood under the mistletoe. Mom, thanks for all the countless hours of preparation, thanks for the toffee, the fudge (Greg asked me when we got home if I could make fudge like my mom?)the divinity, the slush, the list of food could go on forever. But thanks most of all, for being such a great grandma. Melissa thanks for the cute Christmas program, thanks for sharing your testimony of the true meaning of Christmas. Trevor thanks for the new and improved TV situation, it was great, and how could we forget your great sugar cookies!! Bubba thanks for letting us give you a hard time, you know I love you and that is why I tease you!! Thanks Jon for giving Greg a few laughs when he showed you his new favorite train Email. Thanks Stacey for making this weekend happen for you and your family, I know it not always easy yo get together but it meant alot to me, so Thanks. Thanks to Greg for getting our family to Logan safely, once again I was happy to be the passenger not the driver. And last but not least thanks to Annie, Josh, Jake, Easton and Emma, for being great cousin "friends". I have many fond memories of growing up with Aubrey, Elsha and Lauren, I am so lucky to have great cousins, and so are Kaitlyn and Matayia. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks, to all!!!

Christmas Traditions

Christmas would not be complete without a few Wall family traditions. If Greg only knew what he was getting into with Christmas with the Walls. We started the day with a little cookie decorating. Matayia loves to decorate cookies for Santa but Kaitlyn wasn't quite sure about that spreading the frosting thing.

Her first cookie looked like this...



She then decided that spreading frosting was overrated and went for sprinkles only, almost the whole jar...



She then got it figured out, and just licked the frosting knives clean!!!



On to the next Family tradition, a Fondue dinner. I think this is one of my favorite Christmas traditions, I love to fondue, maybe it is because I love meat and you definitely get a lot of that. We all complain about how bad we stink when we are done but the extra load of laundry is well worth it for me. On the menu this year was, Steak, Chicken and Shrimpys. Along with Ranch Doritos, other chip selections, veggies, mom's famous bread sticks and endless glasses of slush. Thanks for the great dinner mom, sorry about leaving you with the stinky house!! (As you can see no pics of dinner I was too busy eating)


The weekend just couldn't end without a performance of the chimes. Matayia thought this was really fun this year. She was really good at it, and definitely has some rhythm. After a little practice we could play some of our favorite Christmas songs


such as, Jingle bells, Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, O come all ye faithful, and of coarse We wish you a Merry Christmas. Thanks mom for always "making" us play the chimes over the years. I actually really enjoy playing them now, I'm sure I would actually miss them if you couldn't find them.

Prelude to Christmas

So this weekend we were lucky enough to get to go to Logan. When I say lucky I mean LUCKY. Greg had been watching the weather all week (as always) and of coarse we were expecting a big snowstorm on Friday and Saturday. So Friday morning I had to break the news to Matayia that we may not be able to go to Grandmas because of the weather. Of coarse she cried, and I assured her that "if" we could safely make it we would brave the weather. Friday It snowed pretty much all day, but started to let up in the evening, So about 6:00 we loaded the truck and hit the road. The trip took a little longer than usual, but the roads weren't too bad until we reached Sardine Canyon. (we expected that) But we purposely drove the truck and Greg got us safely to Grandmas. Thanks again Greg, I am glad I got to be the passenger instead of the driver.



Once we got to Logan the party was ready to begin, Stacey and her family were all ready there along with Melissa and her family. Since Melissa didn't have to travel mom put her in charge of the Christmas Program, and as always she did a great job. The kids all dressed up and did the Nativity story. Kaitlyn was Mary. She was so cute, she didn't leave the baby Jesus side and of coarse wouldn't let anyone else touch him. I think she was just excited to be included with the big kids.



Matayia was an angel. She is just always excited to get dressed up espicially if it something as pretty as an angel. This is a really cute family tradition espicially seeing the little kids being so excited about it. Annie was an angel with Matayia Josh was Joseph, Jake and Easton were the sheperds and Emma was the star. Thanks Melissa for the great thoughtful program.


We ended the night with a viewing (courtsey of Trevor) of Mr. Kreuger's Christmas Projected on the wall. We then tried to get the excited kids to bed in the bunk room. Sometimes I think that bedtime is a highlight of my kids day. They just love sleeping together with all their cousins.

Annual Christmas Sing

Every Year Deerfield Elementary does a Christmas program with the whole school singing Christmas songs. This year we woke up to maybe 5 to 6 inches of new snow. So Greg picked us up (and dropped us off at the front doors of the school) When we got into the gym, Lisa (our neighbor) was sitting on the front row with a few extra seats so we sat with her. But I had forgotten to ask Matayia where she was going to be standing so when the first graders came out I was looking all over for her and couldn't see her. When I finally found her she was all the way over on the other side. So I made a mad dash to the other side of the gym to try to video her. Luckily I made it. But I will have to admit I am not very good at holding the camera still. Greg love to make fun of this, I tell him we all have our strengths and weaknesses and if this is my weakness I will take it. So sorry about the shaky video!!




So I guess we will have to forgo the Video I don't know If I have lost my posting skills or what but I can't seem to get videos to work lately. Sorry

1st Dance Recital

We started Kaitlyn in dance this year and she has just loved it. Her teacher is Miss Snephanie (really Stephanie) We don't correct her because we think it is cute the way she says it. Snephanie is the owner of the dance studio, she has been just great with Kaitlyn, she was so sweet with her even though she spent alot of time in tears. We have finally gotten over our fear of mom leaving and dance is now the highlight of Kaitlyn's week. This week was Kaitlyns first Dance recital, the 2 year olds have their dance recital at the studio with just their class. Which was good for us, I think we would of had a major case of stage fright doing it with the older girls.

(Sorry I am having problems putting up the videos)

Moral: If you give 2 year olds bells don't expect them to dance!!!

(Yup, this video won't work either)

When Matayia came home from school she was excited to watch Kaitlyn's recital. After watching this dance she asked "Why isn't she dancing? to which I replied. "I think she was a little nervous" and then Matayia said " Well at least she looks really cute!!" I also think she looks really cute, we were so proud of Kaitlyn and we think she is a great dancer!!

And the winner is.....

Trevor!!! for being the funnest uncle, and putting up with Annie and Matayia's little games!! Thanks again Trevor!

Santa...the real one!

So this year at the ward Christmas party we had a special visitor, yes, you guessed it Santa. As Matayia sat on Santa's lap I could see it in her eyes, she wasn't buying it. After she was done we were sitting at our table, she leaned over to me and said. "Mom, I don't think that is santa, when he talked to me his beard fell off his face." So right then and there, at the ward Christmas party I had to break it to her. So I said "Santa is so busy, in December getting all the toys ready that he doesn't have time to come to all the parties, so he has helpers that do that for him." She thought about it for awhile and then said "OK"



But we were so excited to get to go to "Santas cabin" to see him this year. That is right, the real Santa (He only has time for a few parties)And we were lucky enough to be invited. We enjoyed a very very cold train ride first and even braved the weather for a second ride later. Matayia and Kaitlyn then enjoyed a great talk with Santa, telling him all the things they wanted. The visit was then topped off with some great hot chocolate and cookies. Thanks again Santa, for taking some time out of your busy December to see us this year.

Temple Square

I was so so surprised and excited when Greg suggested we take the girls to temple square to see the Christmas lights. It seems as though on years past we had to drag Greg to see the lights, he doesn't seem to remember it that way, but I was just excited to have him suggest to go. Greg watched the weather (as he does every night) and then decided that Friday night (the 12th) was the day to go. When he suggested a Friday night at busy temple square I thought he was crazy but once again I was just excited to go. We started at the Gateway, we thought the girls would like the fountain, though we prayed they would not get wet.


Kaitlyn helped out with that, She was actually terrified if Matayia even got close to the water, she would stand back and yell at Matayia to not get close. We even saw a few tears form Kaitlyn worrying about her big sister. Of coarse this egged Matayia on a little, thinking she was funny, but we were thankful she did not get wet.



When we were done at the fountain we hopped on the train (trax) and headed down to temple square. Our girls always love to ride trax, they think it is really fun. I am sure we could of walked from Gateway to temple square faster than waiting for the train but boy, how easily kids can be entertained. Kaitlyn was especially entertained by the Train but Matayia on the other hand was throwing a little attitude! I tried to tell Matayia that she was acting like a teenager with a attitude, and that she was not a teenager yet so save the attitude until then.


Once we reminded her that Santa was watching she shaped right up!


As always temple square was filled with lights and people. I always love to go to temple square especially at Christmas time, there is no other place like it. I think that the church does a great job of displaying the true meaning of Christmas, so many nativity scenes and beautiful statues of Christ. Matayia loved listening to the Christmas story and watching the depiction of Christs birth. As for me My favorite place always stays the same. Every year I love the lights near the old tabernacle, they always look so cool. I have always loved this little church, it reminds me of my Christmas village houses.

As we walked through Temple Square I figured out why Greg wanted to go and see the lights, so many great photo opportunities. And he definitely delivered some great photos.

After we were done enjoying the lights we hopped back on the train to go back to Gateway where we enjoyed some more time at the fountain. Matayia was even brave enough to dart across the fountain dodging all the water. Kaitlyn was a little stressed out but Matayia sure thought that it was cool. The lights were beautiful, the fountain was fun but the weather was the best. It was the first year I can remember not being horribly cold, it was such a great night. Thanks Greg for watching the weather and planning to go on the warmest night.

O Christmas Tree....

My friend told me today, that I don't have a "kid Christmas tree" I do, I just tell my kids exactly where to hang all the ornaments, and then if needed I rearrange them when they leave.

Treats, Treats, and more Treats

So this year I have decided to branch out form my regular Christmas snacks. It seems as though I could never get enough slush or party mix, but maybe I could add a little chocolate to that. I am not much of a chocolate fan (but the rest of the family is) but I love white chocolate. I decided this year I would try dipping pretzels. So I turned to the Internet for instruction. (you can learn to do anything on the Internet) It looked pretty easy and I thought it would be something that both Matayia and Kaitlyn could help with, so off to the store I went. (twice) The melting went great and so did the dipping but Matayia was definitely good at the decorating. We decided to sprinkle,crushed candy canes, M&M, Toffee, and of coarse all the sprinkles we could find. Once we were done we were pretty impressed with our great looking and great tasting treats. We decided to hand them out for our "neighbor gifts" this year, so we packaged them up, tied on some tags and they were ready to deliver.


So, as soon as Kaitlyn got up from her nap she was excited to try one of Matayia's "dipped treats." She quickly chose one covered in M&M's and ran off to devour her treat in private. (I don't think she wanted to share) A few minutes later she came back to the kitchen, and handed me her pretzel with everyone of the m&m's chewed off. She said she was ready for another one!! So all in all I think that we have had a good time enhancing our treat menu with dipped pretzels this year. (We will be dipping more tomorrow, the girls about cried when we delivered them all to the neighbors!!)

Christmas Caroling

Tonight for our young women activity we went caroling at the Charleston (an old folks home in our ward) We invited the whole ward to come to the activity so I decided to take Matayia and Kaitlyn with me. They are always asking if they can come to "Womens" with me so I thought it would be fun to bring them along. Before we left I found myself telling Matayia about "when I was little" and we went caroling with our neighbors for a Christmas party.

When we walked into the Charleston it was all decorated and ready for Christmas. As we were waiting for the rest of the ward members to arrive we stood in the lobby where the residents were starting to congregate. A cute little grandma took a liking to Kaitlyn and Matayia and continued to talk an talk and talk to them. Kaitlyn was not so sure about the "stranger" but Matayia was real friendly. As we began to sing our Christmas carols, I looked around the room at all the sweet old people, I couldn't help but think of Grandma Great. I was reminded of how much I love her and how much I really miss her. As I thought about her, I of coarse had to hold back tears,as I stood singing Christmas songs. I was also reminded of what a Christlike person my grandma was, I can't think of a better example of what I hope to become.

As I stood there I remembered the smell of her house, the touch of her kiss and the warmth of her soul. I will never forget the way my grandma made me feel when I was with her. I will never forget the countless tea parties or the many easy bake oven cakes. I will always remember the way she fell asleep when she read me stories on the couch. The many games of "one eye" and the endless trips to the park will forever be cherished. But most of all I will always remember how much I love my grandma.

Moved???

We heard about this house a couple of years ago from some friends. It was really close to our house, and we visited it often. Me and Matayia would get in the car at least once a week and go and watch the "music house." Well, last night we went to make our annual visit to the "Music House" and it has MOVED!! So we picked up our map and went on a hunt for our favorite Christmas lights. The map took us to Lindon(about 8 miles away) and to a new display. (the old house was in a gated community and the neighbors were sick of all the traffic) We might not get to visit the house as often this year because it is not close anymore, but I am sure we will enjoy many viewings on the computer. This is our favorite song.




Music Box Dancer - Holdman Christmas Display 2007 from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.

Joy to the world

Matayia asked me today why I would write "Joy to the world" behind our nativity scene. I was a little taken back on why she just wouldn't know that. I then tried to explain to her why Jesus brought "Joy to the world". But this really got me thinking about the reason for the season, and that maybe the glitz and glamour of all the shopping has taken over our house this year. I am so grateful for kids that ask questions, especially ones that remind me what is really important.

Naughty or Nice??

Someone forgot to tell Kaitlyn that "Santa is always watching!!"