Day 364: Mythbusters Game!

December 30

Chris and the girls tried out our new Mythbusters game this afternoon.  You answer trivia questions on myths they've tested and launch Buster the crash-test dummy.  Pretty awesome.

Day 363: Temple Lights

December 29

We took the girls downtown to Temple Square this evening.  It's been several years since they've been there.  After spending hours in the museum and the visitors' centers, Vicki and I ran around the front of the temple so we could take some quick pictures.  I wish I'd had a better camera with a wide-angle lens, because the lights floating in the reflecting pool were beautiful, but I'm glad I was able to get the Nativity in there.

Day 362: Sledding

December 28

We went sledding today with Chris's family at a groomed sled park called Gorgoza.  The girls (and all of us, actually) had a blast, and are really excited that my parents are planning on taking them back next week.

Day 361: There Was a Chocolate Fountain

December 27

This evening we went to a family Christmas party, and Ellie found her own personal heaven.

Day 360: Little Ladies

December 26

Every time we visit Utah, Grandma hosts a "Little Ladies' Lemonade Party" (or a hot cocoa party in the winter) for all her granddaughters and their American Girl dolls.  They eat dainty little foods and, best of all, wear awesome hats.

Day 359: Best Christmas EVER!!!

December 25

After a couple of years of begging, Vicki finally got a cell phone!  It was the perfect surprise, because despite her best efforts at convincing us she needed one, we've had her convinced for a few months now that it wasn't going to happen anytime soon.  The look on her face as she opened it up was priceless.

Day 358: Christmas Eve Dinner Preparations

December 24

How many fully grown men does it take to light three small candles?

Day 357: Truck Stop Hats

December 23

These hats were too good to pass by without taking a picture, and we needed a few more minutes out of the car before hitting the road again.

Day 356: Wrapping and Packing

December 22

The plan is to leave town at 3:00 in the morning, but of course at 9:00 at night I'm still packing bags and wrapping presents.

Day 355: Christmas Treats

December 21

We delivered plates of goodies to our friends and neighbors this evening.  I wish I'd taken a picture earlier, when there were nearly 150 of those candy cane cookies covering my table.

Day 354: Friends, Food, and Fun

December 20

In what I hope will become a regular event, we got together this evening with six other families from the neighborhood for a night of food and games.  Between us there are 19 children!

Day 353: Spa Day

December 19

When they asked if we had any cucumbers, I thought they wanted a snack.

Day 352: Nativity

December 18

I taught the Christmas lesson in my Sunday School class today.  Since I teach the 5-year-olds, I brought this nativity along to help us act it out.

Day 351: I Bet That Hurts

December 17

Lexi had a run-in with a meat cleaver today at the Portland Saturday Market.

Day 350: Holiday Food Drive

December 16

Just some of the food donated during the school's annual "10 Days of Giving" food drive.  The generosity is overwhelming!  I helped set it all up in the cafeteria this afternoon so community families in need could come shop for things to hold them over through the Holidays.