Zermatt Resort 2008

Our family in front of the carousel at the Zermatt Resort in Midway, Utah. We have been here a couple of times and LOVE it. Anyone looking for a great, short family winter vacation, this is it. They have awesome rooms (I love the gas fireplace), a really nice buffet and restaurant, sleigh rides with real horses, afternoon activities each day, (another picture shows us roasted marshmellows and making smore's as one of the activities). There is a huge, heated indoor swimming pool with a water fall into the hot tub (which was our kids favorite), movies in our room and more. We got a weekend get-away deal that made it very affordable.

Bill and I stayed one night without kids to celebrate our 8th anniversary. We drove to Park City for dinner and a movie and then got to sleep in. It was bliss. December 2008

Christmas 2008

We usually wake early, as our kids are early risers. We open our stockings and then eat a holiday breakfast. I like to decorate the table the night before and have it all ready so there is little to do Christmas morning. We had sausage, monkey bread, orange juice, hot cocoa, milk, a fruit tray and more. After we eat, we open gifts. Our family tradition is that the kids get 1 (ONE) gift from Santa and the rest come from Mom and Dad. The gift from Santa is usually big or more expensive. This year they each got their own Nintendo DS hand held game.

We just had to capture Max's double shiners one more time. This is a few weeks after his injury.

The kids are sporting their new tool sets they got for Christmas.

Years later I may wonder or my kids may wonder why I got them the same pajamas, the same gifts, everything the same. The answer is that as long as they each have their own, they do not fight over it. One of my goals is to minimize the contention.

Christmas Eve P.J's

Jack (age 5) and Max (age 3) boxing on the Wii in their new Christmas Eve pajamas.

December 2008

Picasso Jack

This is Jack's picture of Rudolph the "Red-nosed Reindeer". It's a perfect replica. (I love the antlers!) This photo also depicts Jack's love to get dressed up in costumes. The kids have a variety and he loves to wear them every where: the store, the gym, the neighborhood. It's great to be a kid!

Rare Family Christmas 2008

This is a rare photo of my biological family. From left to right: Amber, Seth, Misty, Tiffany, (on the floor) Josh, my Dad Steve, and K.C. We do not usually have everyone together for the holidays. Seth traveled to Utah from Pennsylvania, brining his girlfriend Karen (pictured below) and many gifts for each family member. He gave us a clock, kitchen towels and a Wii game. Everyone's gifts were perfect and well thought out. Thanks Seth! We had a family dinner at my house and Bill got his Christmas gift early to help entertain all: Guitar Hero. (thanks to D.L. for all of the help and the great deal!)

Cats

Jack and Max wake up early in the mornings. Often they entertain themselves until mom gets breakfast made. This particular morning they made cat whiskers out of yarn, "kid scissors", scotch tape and tah-dah! Whiskers.

Buzz Lightyear by Jack, age 5

On the bottom of Buzz Lightyear's foot, he has the inscription of his owner "Andy" written. Jack did the same to Bill's foot when they were pretend playing Buzz Lightyear. Jack loves reading and writing though he is only 5 and still in pre-school. Creative kid.