Going to See the Lights on Temple Square

One of the goals we had for this year was to visit Temple Square and see all the Christmas lights.  We didn't go last year and thought it would be a good family outing.  However, with all of the rush of Christmas we hadn't made it, yet.
With Christmas over and our boys still home from school we decided it was now or never.  So we grabbed the boys, packed the coats and took off to Salt Lake City.  Since it was more spur of the moment, we figured we would grab a bite to eat with one of the numerous restaurant coupons we had in hand.  The trip turned out great!

The last time we went to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights it was very crowded and we were concerned about keeping the family together in such a crowd.  But one of the benefits of going during the week is that the crowds tend to be much smaller.  We were able to walk around most of the grounds as a family, not just a bunch of ducks in a row.

The boys loved to see the lights.  We stopped to see most of the significant statues and monuments on the grounds for small "teaching moments".  At one point we lost track of Quinten who had wandered off but David was quick to find him.  The second half of the grounds visit went quickly due to the late hour and we still wanted to at least see everything.  So we walked past the numerous nativity scenes, around the manger scene in the pond, past the Assembly Hall and with a token glance at the full nativity scene by the Tabernacle we completed our visit and headed to dinner.

For dinner we stopped at Village Inn.  We had a coupon that would get a kids meal free with the purchase of an adult entree.  When we asked if they would honor the coupon the manager came out and offered us an even better deal.  I don't think I could explain it again and it took the manager at least 3 tries to help us figure out what the deal was.  In the end we paid for 2 entrees and a couple of drinks but got more than enough food for everyone!  Whatever that deal was it turned out to be a great deal for us! 

We didn't get home until nearly 10 pm despite our early departure from Provo but it was an excellent adventure and a great memory for our family.

(Posted 1/23/12)

A Modest Family Christmas

Christmas was a wonderful day. We had a chance to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We also had a chance to share gifts with each other and it has been a wonderful time of year. Michelle has been working over-time in order to create the best Christmas ever!

We finished preparations on Christmas morning, just before 2:00 am. Somehow our boys managed to not wake up until after 8:00 am! It was a Christmas miracle, a precious gift to us. In spite of the good cheer that was bestowed upon us by sleeping in, we made the boys wait and eat breakfast (we figured that if they are going to eat candy and other related junk food all day they can start with breakfast).

After breakfast, and all during breakfast, David let us know that he would be the first to open a present and that Santa had come during the night and eaten all his cookies (and leaving a Thank You note for him). So the present opening process began and the boys were almost too excited. What a perfect gift for Michelle who really put in the most effort into creating this Christmas.

While the boys liked each gift the one that was the "hit" of the day was the machine gun for Michael. Every boy has tried to appropriate the gun for himself and relieve Michael of the burden of ownership. It is currently in hiding until the enthusiasm ebbs just a little.

We have decided, as a early New Year's resolution, that we'll have our Christmas shopping/creating done by Thanksgiving so that we have more time to enjoy the holiday, the parties and gatherings, the shows and displays, etc.

Grandma's Christmas - A Huge Success

We had a fabulous Christmas this year. In spite of the economic challenges that have plagued our country our family has come together in a spirit of giving. We are lucky enough that we were able to share this Christmas season with both sides of our family. We spent Christmas Eve eve with the Petersens and Christmas day eve with the Joneses.

At the Petersen's home we were lucky enough to have almost everyone there. Grandma & Grandpa Petersen, Melissa & James, Jared & Tosha, Kyle and Kaylynn; and the related cousins too (Cynthia, Devon, Hayley, Vivian, Lydia; David, Donovan, Michael, Aleky; Ammon and Aaron).

We had a late start since we waited to leave until after I had finished my appointments and work for the day. Then we ate, packed the car, ran errands (for ourselves and family requests) and then off we went. We didn't actually arrive in Grantsville until after 8:30 pm so our kids only got to play with their cousins for 3 hours before bedtime! Ok, so we didn't exactly put them to bed right away; how often do they get to play with their cousins?


We, the extended family, filled Grandma's house with just some storage space to spare. There were kids and parents sleeping all over the house! It was amazing chaos in which everyone seemed to be willing to cooperate, tolerate and enjoy each other's company. We awoke to a delicious breakfast of (monster size) French Toast; apparently Grandma & Grandpa were able to wake up early, after a late bedtime. The kids ate quickly so they could return to the important business of the day, playing, playing and more playing!

After the adults had a chance to eat and clean up breakfast we corralled the children in a circle (in close proximity to the Christmas tree) so we could exchange family gifts and see what presents Grandma had for all her grandchildren.


It wasn't long before the eager anticipation overwhelmed David and we caught him opening his present from Grandma. Once the cat is out of the bag there is only one thing left to do, open the rest of Grandma's presents for her grandchildren.

Grandma had gotten these giant bouncing balls with handles for all the kids! Once each kid had his ball in hand it was up to Grandpa to get them all inflated. So it comes the hose from the compressor and BLAM! all the balls are inflated instantly (almost). It can hardly be described, the vast sea of bouncing heads and bodies that began to swirl around the house. Through the living room and down the hall and back, there were nearly a dozen balls bouncing here, there and everywhere!

It was quickly decided that a change of venue was needed to allow the burgeoning bouncers to expand their bounces and get some of their excited energy out. So the party reconvened at the local chapel where the cultural hall could be used to give these kids a place to play. It seems quite obvious that Grandma succeeded in finding the perfect gift for her Grandchildren once again.

We had a wonderful time and just want to say, Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Petersen for a wonderful (pre-)Christmas day at your home.


We missed you Chris & Janeil; hope you had a wonderful Christmas and we hope you'll be able to join us next year.