Christmas: Part Two

Since we didn't want to take all of the kids' presents to Utah, only to haul them back home again, the kids had a great opportunity to open the rest of their Christmas presents today. They loved that Christmas came again so quickly.

Analeigh loved her Fancy Nancy books and her Belle doll.



David loved is car transporter. As for Cailainn? Well, she's just happy to be invited to the party.

Mt. Sunflower

Today, on our way home, we decided to climb to the summit of "Mt. Sunflower" (technically it isn't a mountain, its just a bunch of flat land that happens to be slightly higher than the ground around it). Mt. Sunflower is the highest point in all of Kansas.

Ben just couldn't wait to get there and planned the entire drive home around the possibility of stopping here. Years from now, our children will tell Ben that this was the lamest side-trip ever taken on a vacation. Ben will counter by saying, "They've got a picnic pavilion and a monument, what more could you ask for?"

Anyway, enjoy the view:



And here is Ben's tour video (notice that everyone else is in the car because it is too windy and cold):

St. George Temple

On our way out of town, we decided that it would be a good idea to swing by the St. George temple and let the kids tour the grounds and touch the temple (for the same reason mentioned in this previous post).

The kids loved the nativity scene just inside the entrance to the grounds (there is a beautiful light display each night around this time of the year).

See the Puppies!

Liz's mother works with a lady that has a bunch of puppies in her home. So, naturally, what would be a better activity for the grandchildren than to go play with puppies?!

Rock Climbing

Today, with the encouragement of Liz's brother, Joe, most of the family went rock climbing. Whenever Joe and his wife get us the photos they took of us, we'll post them here.

We should note that the pictures will likely be embarrassing, as neither Ben nor Liz are very good at this, David had no desire to participate, and Ana started crying as soon as she was four feet off the ground. Either way, it was a fun way to spend the day after Christmas!

UPDATE, AS OF 4 MARCH 2012:

We finally got the pictures of the climb (thanks, Joe!). Here is the back of Ben, at the top of his climb (clinging to the rock like a little girl). In the second picture we have Liz midway through her climb.



And finally, Analeigh, surrounded by adults encouraging her to climb as she remains frozen in place with tears streaming down her face (even though you can't see her face). Also, one of David enjoying being present, but safely on the ground. Incidentally, he is touching a piece of petrified wood.

Hooray for Christmas

Inspired by the Cheney's and some other Draper's (Ben's brother Tom's family), we decided to simplify Christmas this year to four presents. The theme of each was Something you Want, Something you Need, Something Homemade, and Something to Read. We also gave the kids one present from "Santa" (which we know technically makes five presents).

Since we're in Utah for Christmas, we decided to only bring the present from Santa for each child. Their grandparents spoiled them more than enough to compensate.

Here we have the kids lining up before the gifts are seen. Notice the dedication with which Analeigh and her cousin are avoiding peeking.



Analeigh scored big with a Rapunzel doll, and baby doll, and some puzzles.



David got loads of trains (both an IKEA set and a Thomas set) as well as some puzzles.

Driving to Utah

If there is anything that could describe our drive to Utah, it is this picture from yesterday's Kansas to Colorado stretch.

Gingerbread Houses

Tonight was our gingerbread house building/candy-eating activity. The kids loved it so much. Now all of our candy is gone (or at least stuck to a graham cracker).

White Christmas

We love having snow at Christmas time, so what could be better than a perfectly timed storm hitting us yesterday and today? Its just a pity that we're going to be leaving it to be with Elizabeth's family in St. George, Utah for the holiday (the odds of having snow there are pretty slim).

In the meantime, however, the kids loved the opportunity to make snow angels and dig in the snow (which wasn't much good for packing into a snowman).

2011 Family Photo

It has been two years, and since we've added a child since then, we figured we were due for a family photo. Actually, we had planned to take the picture during the summer when we would have had lovely weather for such things. Alas, having Cailainn took up more of our time than we anticipated. So, here we are in December, finally getting around to taking the outdoor picture we had planned during the summer (the kids did not like the cold air).

Anyway, we drove out in the country to an old stone house that has been in left in ruin. Ben took a photo of the house about a year ago. We took a number of pictures on Friday and a number more today. Then we sorted through them and found one where we all looked at least somewhat decent. So, without further ado, here is our new family photo:

Sibling Admiration

We just found out this evening that Cailainn thinks her older brother is hilarious. We had Ben flying her over to David to give him kisses on his forehead. David would then kiss her back on her forehead. Then the laughter erupted from her. Kind of makes her parents (specifically Ben) feel a little jealous that she doesn't laugh at them hardly ever.

It Has Been Too Long...

We have not built blanket forts in our house for a long time... we were overdue. Granted, the kids only asked for a small one, but we'll really have to plan for a bigger one in the near future.

Gingerbread House

David made a "gingerbread" house at preschool today using a milk carton, graham crackers, and candies. He is so proud of it.