Christmas 2012

I can't believe it is over!  It is almost as if it didn't happen.
We tried to do some fun things prior to Christmas... we had the Check girls  (Lila, Caiti, and Ryleigh) sleep-over/hottubbing/movie night and we had the Fuhriman kids (Coen, Jesi, Mia, Cooper, and Tate) sleep-over/Santa visit/pizza baking/caramel apple making night.  Lyle helped move a lady from church into a new apartment and provide some comfort and some Christmas cheer for her.  He worked hard on that!  We asked Sean to find a family in his mission that we could help provide Christmas for, and that is always a great thing!
Our trip to Utah never disappoints!  Our families showed us a wonderful time.  First stops were in Idaho to visit our own parents.  We had dinner with the Clarks and then karaoke'd with the Schenks.  Then back to Utah for Christmas with the kids and grandkids.  Pictures should explain a lot!  Thanks everyone for a fabulous time!  Love you all!

 The beautiful flowers that my mom, dad, and Karen sent me after shoulder surgery.  They were a very pretty part of my Christmas!

Nixon, Brooklyn, Tanner, Kendyl, and Cameron with the pinata.  It was definitely a joint effort to make and decorate this year's Christmas tree pinata.

Kendyl preschool program

Brooklyn, Kendyl, Camryn

Tanner entertaining us!

Glenn and Jill trying out their new karaoke machine!

Christmas party with the Clarks at Ashley's and Ryan's home

Yea!  Princess dolls!

And Thomas the train toys!  Ryan, Hudson, Ashley, and Nixon

Nic and Nixon

Kendyl, Averi, Elle, Nixon, and Nic

The Christmas Tree Pinata!  Hit it hard Elle

Nic making sure Nixon understands the finer points of holding the 'bat'.

Hudson want a turn?

I don't think so.

Averi takes a swing.

Kendyl - batter up!

Hit it hard Camryn!

Brooklyn acts like she knows what she's doing!

Okay, now Hudson is really ready!

Brooklyn, Kendyl, Averi, Camryn with their dolls and The Nana for a sleepover.

Fun at the Provo Beach Club!  Brooklyn, Nic, Katie, Steff, Camryn, Averi, Elle, Matt, Kendyl, and Tanner.

Ryan gets a strike!  Wanting some congratulations from Hudson and Ashley.

Averi is pumped with that great score!  Matt is applauding.  Elle is ecstatic about the ball to play with.

Couldn't have picked a better activity for these babes...  Elle and Nixon.

Hudson is wondering if this ball is his or what!

Kendyl-babe

The Nana and Brooklyn!  (Brooklyn's score beat Nana's.  Nana is never bowling again!)

Elle and Papa

The Nelson family on the Carousel

Ashley, Hudson, and Ryan

Nixon and The Nana racing cars.

Kendyl, Elle, Matt, and Brooklyn

Camryn (the other shot I have of her is blurry, sadly).

Averi is all smiles!

Hudson and The Nana

Steff and Nixon

Papa and Kendyl ready for church.

Brooklyn, Camryn, Nixon, and Kendyl off to church.

Movie night - How the Grinch Stole Christmas - The Nana, Averi, papa, and Elle

Lyle and Tanner delivering packages to Elder Sean Clark at the Utah SLC South Mission Office in Sandy.

The traditional "Nativity" reading/acting - Joseph (Tanner), Mary (Kelsey or Kylie), Angel (Brinklie), Shepherds (Derek and Morgan), Wisemen (Beckah and McKenna).

Christmas Eve PJ's - Tanner, Ashley and Ryan

Christmas morning excitement!

Find it, Hudson!

Such a big package!

Practicing!

Tanner's Visit for Thanksgiving 2012

There is not much better occurrance in a mother's life than when her kids come home for a visit!  And so I have had a terrific week - Tanner was here!  He called a few weeks ago and asked if he could come for Thanksgiving.  We picked him up at the Columbus Airport on Monday night, November 19.  We have had lots of fun conversations.  He has played the piano for us every day.  We've eaten out at Chipotle's and the Country Club.  We put up Christmas Trees.  He uploaded all of my music to the clouds so I can play them on my internet TV.  We went to the theater to watch Red Dawn and Life of Pi.  We made and baked rolls together.  We cooked Thanksgiving dinner together and washed the dishes together.  He and Lyle patched the roof.  They played football in the annual Zanesville Ward Turkey Bowl.  We enjoyed John Downing's visit.  He visited with Lisa and Chad Karling.  And more.....
Probably the activity that surprised me the most was Lyle's and Tanner's request to go shopping at Easton.  Truly, the way this happened.... I walked in the back door from the gym and was approached by Lyle telling me that they would like to go shopping to Easton.  Tanner needed to find some jeans.  I am certainly game for a shopping trip!  So I cleaned up, and off we went!  I don't ever go shopping on Black Friday, but I'm not opposed to it.  And if I'm not in a hurry, and not needing to accomplish a great deal, I am more than happy to be part of the crowds.  I love to watch people, and I love the season of giving.  I love to hear the music playing and see the beautiful Christmas lights!  We found jeans in two stores and then promptly came home.  We weren't gone long, but/and it was fun!
Sad to say that throughout the whole week my camera has sat in it's case.  I only pulled it out to prove that we were part of the insanity of the shoppers.  So they aren't good pictures.  I was trying to sneak a little bit, to avoid total embarrassment on Tanner's part.  Lyle told me he was going to delete the pictures before I could document what he called "the most 'unmanly' thing [he] has ever done."

Long Black Friday lines to purchase.

Longer lines to try on!