Thanks, Grandpa Mike.

Our gift from my dad was a family "EVE" pass, which gets us into all the museums and events downtown from December 26 to the 31st.  What a fun way to entertain all of us over the break.  Thanks, Dad.

Stop #1 -- Discovery Gateway museum, a children's museum.

Stop #2 -- the Off Broadway Theater for a parody of Miracle on 34th.   The production was not all that great (such a strange little theater that we never knew existed), but it got us out walking around downtown for some fun.

Stop #3 - Zoo Lights.  Elizabeth had had enough fun and went to bed around 6pm, so i took carolyn and a friend to wander around the lights at the zoo.

Stop #5 - Broadway Theater.  This is my favorite independent movie theater, which I frequent a lot.  The Eve pass offers free movie tickets..... so I met a friend late night to see Jackie, a movie about Jackie Kennedy and how she constructed the image of Camelot after JFK was assassinated.

Stop #6 - Clark Planetarium for a laser light show in the dome theater. 

Stop #7 - ice skating at the Gallivan Center. 

Stop #8 -- the City Creek mall.  We made a special trip to Macy's to see the candy windows.  The girls spent their $20 on quality items from Claire's (fuzzy legwarmers, stuffed dog, an inspirational sign, unicorn lip gloss, a lockable journal, and an eye mask).  They could not be happier with their choices! We even saw our friends while shopping at Claire's.

Stop #9 - the Leonardo Museum, an arts, science, and math museum. Elizabeyh crashed us into the ground several times on the flight simulator.  She said she is glad we pay real pilots when we fly.

Our tour downtown was completed with an overnight stay in a hotel.  A swimming pool.  Rolling on our suitcases through the lobby.  TV in bed.  What more could these girls ask for.

It has been a busy, fun few days.  We have definitely gotten our money's worth out of these passes, even if we did not make it to the Jazz (pro basketball) tonight.  Carolyn is off to Girl Scout camp the next few nights, but we will probably take Lizzie down for the actual "eve" parties downtown on New Year's Eve.

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours.... we wish you the happiest of holidays!  Yep, we are one of those families that spend christmas eve and christmas day in matching jammies.

Christmas eve started with a party at Michelle, Josh, and Max's house.  We are so thankful to have them as friends

Steve and I then mde a hearty stew for dinner (chicken and farro), folllowed by opening some presents from Grandma Lynn and Grandpa Mike.  The handknit mermaid tails were a hit, and so was the telescope (for Carolyn) and school set (for Lizzie). 

The girls exchanged their sister gifts, too.  I think they may have liked the gifts they picked out more than they received.  A magic kit and oil/water illusion for Lizzie, and yoyo and pin thing for Carolyn.

Christmas Day started around 830 for us.  The girls emerged to find their requested gifts of roller skates and purole cowboy boots.

They also got a few gifts from us -- a clock that sings bird songs every hour plus a newton's cradle for Carolyn.  Lizzie got a chime and a light-bright type of game.

We then enjoyed a delightful brunch at RJ's with our neighbor Bryan and his kids Gavin and Ella.

And, by early evening, a whole slew of families came over for cocktails, make-your-own pizzas, and plenty of games.  (No photos)

What a wonderful few days with friends.  We are thankful!

Parent orchestra

Steve and I joined the parent orchestra at Carolyn's school.

There were only a handful of us, and it only required 2 one-hour practices.  But, we aren't too bad, eh?



It was fun.  I played the alto xylophone.  Steve played a glockenspiel.

Christmas in color

The pictures do not do this justice..... a drive-through, animated christmas display.  Fun night to start our christmas celebrations.

Christmas wreath

For the past several years, I have made a wreath for the front door.  This year, I decided to go completely fake.  (They have always been traditional and made from fresh greens).  I think it works. 

Thanks, cousins!

We started christmas eve with a few gifts.... we opened the gifts from our cousins.

Lizzie got an art kit from Ashley.  She immediately put it in her room and said that it was her special kit, and if anyone wanted to use something in it, they had to ask.

Carolyn got a snoopy snow cone maker from Haley.  With strep throat runnning through our house, it was the perfect treat.  We made a batch immediately.

Carolyn got a sand art kit from Addie and Emerson.  We need to find some quiet time to do these.  Cool!

Elizabeth got a powerpuff girls beach towel.  Wow! A favorite for sure. 

Thanks for the brunch gift card, Jason and Heather.  And, scott, steve already put the mirror on his helmet.

We are always a bit homesick to not spend the holiday with our brothers and their families, but we so appreciate the thoughtful gifts you all sent!

Brownies

Carolyn's brownie troop had its end of year party and awards ceremony on Sunday.  I was in charge of the event, so forgot to snap photos other than this one of her troop showing the flag they made to represent them.   I

A walk through history

The pioneer village is all decorated for christmas.  The girls and I went one evening after school. The weather was unusually warm, and it kept feeling like it was going to rain --they ran stayed away and so did the crowds!  We visited with Father Christmas, listened to carolers strolling through the village, rode a horse drawn carriage, learned how to do the virginia wheel dance in the social hall, made several old fashioned christmas crafts, printed our own christmas cards, and wrote wishes for peace that were thrown into a fireplace.