NO SNOW SO...

...hit the trails for a January ride.

 We went up City Creek and had a GREAT time.  It was definitely scary coming down because the trail was frozen and snow-covered in a few areas.  All in all it was quite the adventure and I loved every minute of it.

Guess who got stuck washing these dirty bikes...yep...ME! 

SCARY SPIDER

Burklee came in our room one night and told us there was a scary spider in her bed.  She was terrified! I felt so bad for her so I let her crawl in bed.  Well the next day I forgot about the whole incident.  I went in her room to check on her during nap time and this is how I found her.  When she woke up I asked her why she was sleeping on the floor and she told me that the scary spider was still in her bed.  Needless to say, Jeff and I had to rip the bed apart, shake the sheets, move the bed to a new spot and vacume the room several times in order to convince her that her room was spider-free.  Pretty cute how she put all her little dolls next to herself on the blanket and how she made a little bed for her cat on the pillow-pet instead of using it for herself.

MORE DECEMBER FUN

Grandpa teaching Ammon a few drills to get him ready for his first season of basketball.

 Kurt and Joe getting into "Just Dance".
 Taylor and Jean bustin' a move.

While the big kids played basketball the little kids had their own fun. 

CHRISTMAS 2011

All I want for Christmas is a whale pillow pet...forget my two front teeth.  Ammon has wanted a pillow pet for a year-and-a-half.  I know what you are thinking...just buy the kid a pillow pet already.  I thought he would grow out of it but apparently his need to have one grew stronger to the point that he didn't care about anything else but the darn whale pillow pet.  Christmas morning he ran down the hall towards me...
... then out of the corner of his eye he sees his pillow pet. He sprinted over and...

 hugs for the soft, cuddly whale.  I have never seen him get so excited
 Of course they all had to get one!
 The twins had to watch carefully as they each took turns opening their presents.  Burklee making sure he doesn't open something she wants.
 She saw a Christmas tree decorated with barbies a while back and ever since then she has wanted her own barbie. 
Ammon loves to take pictures and he always scares me when he gets a hold of my camera.  Good thing Bonkin and Papa got him his very own camera.  HE LOVES IT! 
In the words of Burklee "oh it's Tangled...she is so pretty." Notice her nails...she has to make sure everyone notices her nails when they get pretty.  Good thing Bonkin painted them so she could have pretty nails for Christmas. 
After we opened our gifts we had time to eat some yummy gingerbread waffles with buttermilk syrup. They make the house smell so good.  After breakfast we had just enough time to make it to church for a wonderful musical program.  After church we changed back into our pajamas and spent the rest of the day with the Tingey clan.  It was a wonderful day.

CHRISTMAS EVE

 We always start off Christmas Eve-day with a yummy breakfast at Elmer's for Kent's Birthday.  After breakfast we open presents and have cake at the house. 

Another competitive game of basketball!

 This year we went to Soda for dinner. We were lucky to enjoy such a beautiful sunset.  The sunset and delicious dinner were well worth the drive.

Kid's table

Once we got back to the house the kids opened their one gift each...we always get new pajamas. After we set out cookies and milk and Jeff read a few stories we were finally off to bed.

FUN IN UTAH

On our way down to Salt Lake for an ISU women's basketball game we made a quick detour to walk around Temple Square and show the kids the lights.  It was so beautiful, as always.

Later in the month we went down to Provo for Uncle Tanner's basketball tournament.  Becky and Caden had just arrived from New York so it was a blast for all the kids to get together and swim.
Say Cheese!

Kellan happy to get some alone time with his daddy.

Having a great time as always.  Jeff and Kristy love the water...which the little kids really appreciate!

Say no to crack!  Skinny Kells couldn't keep his shorts on.