Happy 2010! Before I embrace this coming year, I need to post some pics from our Christmas week in Utah with the FAM. We headed up to my parents "Mansion" as I call it that is nestled in the mountains of Alpine City. This "Mansion" is grandkid heaven since it comes equipped with a sand volleyball court, jacuzzi, built in 50's diner, pool table, play room, giant big screen TV, trampoline, Grandpa's cool race cars, and excellent backyard sledding in the winter. This year we had 2 grandparents, 5 kids, 17 grandkids, and a partridge in a pear tree :). It definitely made for a crazy loud house at times!
We made the 10 hour trek on the 22nd so we could watch the BYU bowl game on Dad's giant screen. As you can see Jane and I were very "into" it. But...hey we should get some credit for wearing our TRUE BLUE at least :).
Luckily we were blessed with a descent amount of snow which turns Grandma's backyard into a winter wonderland.
Luke turned into quite the expert sledder needing no help or encouragement from us.
playing in the snow....
Grandma admiring her posterity from on high...
Ahhh....the newlyweds (still under 2 years). Kenny acting like a kid in his igloo and Jane....not so sure she likes the cold wet stuff.
Brent enjoying his stylin 80's (little too small for him) jumpsuit a bit too much and Tami...not sure what she's doing. Maybe a standing snow angel???
some sisterly love..
I think Tryg had had enough of the cold at this point
Nothing that a little warmth and story time with Grandpa couldn't fix
On Christmas Eve at my parents house we always do a little program where we read from the scriptures about the Savior's birth and sing songs while the kids put on costumes and bring the story to life. It's goofy, spiritual, fun, and serious all rolled into one. And...of course Mom is always good for some requisite tears :). We also added a new tradition this year...A WHITE ELEPHANT gift exchange between the grown ups. And, with our family...you can imagine the ruthlessness that came with that one. Still, everyone seemed to come out of it unscathed.
YEAH.....CHRISTMAS MORNING!!! This year Dylan was at his Dad's for Christmas but joined us the day after (always hard for me). Luke and Tryg scored some cool baseball stuff from Santa this year.
Having fun spending time together and playing with our goodies.
And of course the treats...
Me, Susi, and Jane headed out for a little run in like 20 degree weather!! Was definitely missing my CALIFORNIA running temps. Although I did think to myself, "If I lived here...I could buy a whole new running wardrobe" and that was kind of exciting to me :).
On Christmas Eve at my parents house we always do a little program where we read from the scriptures about the Savior's birth and sing songs while the kids put on costumes and bring the story to life. It's goofy, spiritual, fun, and serious all rolled into one. And...of course Mom is always good for some requisite tears :). We also added a new tradition this year...A WHITE ELEPHANT gift exchange between the grown ups. And, with our family...you can imagine the ruthlessness that came with that one. Still, everyone seemed to come out of it unscathed.
YEAH.....CHRISTMAS MORNING!!! This year Dylan was at his Dad's for Christmas but joined us the day after (always hard for me). Luke and Tryg scored some cool baseball stuff from Santa this year.
Having fun spending time together and playing with our goodies.
And of course the treats...Me, Susi, and Jane headed out for a little run in like 20 degree weather!! Was definitely missing my CALIFORNIA running temps. Although I did think to myself, "If I lived here...I could buy a whole new running wardrobe" and that was kind of exciting to me :).
We managed to squeeze one more day of sledding in before the week was over.
Throughout the week we laughed, we bonded, we ate a lot, we fought (of course), some of us cried, and some of us threw up! It was a crazy, loud, fun, and chaotic week kind of like Yosemite but with less dirt! But.... all good things must come to an end and I'm pretty sure my Mom was ready to have her house, sanity, and peace and quite back not to mention the in-laws had probably had their cox - fix to last another year :).
Throughout the week we laughed, we bonded, we ate a lot, we fought (of course), some of us cried, and some of us threw up! It was a crazy, loud, fun, and chaotic week kind of like Yosemite but with less dirt! But.... all good things must come to an end and I'm pretty sure my Mom was ready to have her house, sanity, and peace and quite back not to mention the in-laws had probably had their cox - fix to last another year :).
ON THE ROAD AGAIN...
Goodbye pretty lights, my beautiful tree, fun decorations, holiday parties, and cute Christmas jamies. Until next year....
As you can see Tryg was pretty content, however Luke had a bit of a tough time as he vomitted in the car TWICE! Not fun!! And although I wouldn't trade that quality week with my family for anything....after that car ride home I am definitely looking forward to a quiet Christmas at home next year with no traveling :).
Goodbye pretty lights, my beautiful tree, fun decorations, holiday parties, and cute Christmas jamies. Until next year....
great post! way to keep up in the blogging world. you are becoming another writer for the family. and sorry - i had a big folder of pics to send to you tonite, but Brent went to bed with all the know how - everyone here is still kinda sick. there are some good ones of Luke falling asleep at the table, and of your family attempting to take a family picture. :)
ReplyDeletecan you send me copies of the one of me and you, and the ones of me and Brent looking slightly retarded? thanks.
also - that pic of the three of you running makes me sad i didn't go too. oh well. and yeah i'm with you - next year i'm thinking maybe we'll stay home.
Looks like a fun time! I hear you on the quiet Christmas...after fighting with family 5 years ago...I vowed we would spend Christmas at home from now on. It is nice to create our own Christmas traditions! Maybe if my family all got along it would be fun to get together!
ReplyDeletethanks jo, reading that was almost like being there. Megan officially has a new job at an oral surgeon's office, which means we won't ever have to work another Christmas/New Years Eve/Groundhog Day/St. Patrick's Day, etc ever again (hopefully). So we'll be looking forward to a crazy loud barfing Cox Christmas soon. - Ted
ReplyDeleteGreat to read after the fact. Your pictures are amazIng--so is your dialog. I especially like the parts in red. Makes it very easy and fun to read. Made me laugh--now. We love it when you all come. Dad says--if we build it they will come. ANd we love to come visit you at your house. This Santa is very easy to please. Thanks for being a good historian.
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom