December 2011 P2

We did a few more really fun things before leaving for Utah this year.  Amanda hosted a chookie exchange and it was my first ever! It was really fun with so many goodies. I had a killer headache the whole time, but it was worth it.

Then we went to our last Richardson Center Activity.  The Bakersfield ice center hosted us and made a pile of snow for the kids to play in, or they could go ice skating.  I forgot how cold ice and snow are!  We have been taking late night walks to try to prepare, but this was really cold!  Fortunately they had scarfs for the girls. There were tons of sand toys to use in the snow (hello why didn't I ever think of that growing up?!) and they liked it okay but couldn't really get used to sliding around. 

oh well - I wanted them to try ice skating anyway. Ginger was there and there's no way I could have done it with both of them if she weren't helping.  I guess I forgot how hard it was, because the girls were terrified!  They needed someone holding them at all times, we got a little ways out and Ginger had to help Ellia back while I helped Ashlyn, after that Ashlyn watched while I helped Ellia until she got a scooter thing.  Then I did a couple laps and felt pretty competant. I didn't realize ice skating could be so hard if you have never done it, but there were plenty of adults there to help me understand!  I guess all that ice skating at Midway Elementary recess's really stuck!

We left that night for Vegas and went swimming for about 5 seconds the next morning.  IT WAS FREEZING but Jeremy convinced us it was heated and it would be fun...I didn't really enjoy it, but it was memorable and the girls seemed to have fun.

Last pictures of Ellia's locks.

Haircut time!  We cut 8 inches off to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths which makes wigs for cancer patients.

Ashlyn got a little bored waiting and took her turn with the camera.

She loved it! (phew)

Even though there wasn't much snow when we got to Utah, it was cold enough for Jeremy, Travis and Gunner to go ice fishing on Utah Lake.

Christmas Morning at Grandma Carol's

 The traditional stair lineup. Zak even peeked his head through the banisters to be included, but the picture didn't turn out.

 Ellia's E necklace

 I got Jeremy a GPS watch...my parents got me the same one but mine included a heart rate moniter too.

 Time for cousins.  They had a blast playing with all Ellia and Ashlyn's new toys.

 Then of course, Christmas goes on.  We made it down to Vineyard to open even more presents.

We got Jeremy's dad a train track set and fixed his old Lionel engine - which an interesting story behind it.  Jeff got it when he was 10 but it was made in the 1950s and only for one year.

More Ashlyn self-portraits...this time she captured her new necklace.

Just loving Ellia's new hair! She looks like such a big girl now.

Christmas fun wasn't over yet!  The day after we had the cousin party at Emily's.  The girls got to wear their new outfits from Grandma Laura.

 We also celebrated Ashlyn and Ella's birthday's, so we brought out the penny jar and opened even more presents.

 Time for the annual Nativity!  This year Ellia was an Angel and Ashlyn was Mary.

 Little baby Anna, 7 days old, made her debut for a Nativity picture.

 Zak got all the grandkids a present...and in turn, he got clobbered with hugs.

Jeremy got the gag gift cat this year.

 I love seeing Ashlyn play on the ground like this...she loved the Princess Coloring set from Zak.

 Another quick appearance from Anna for the cousin picture.

 Ashlyn LOVES her tutu! When she gets dressed in it she says, "like a princess!"

 Sweet, new camp chairs!

Ellia was the one who really wanted a hug this time and it took a little coaxing from Jace

Jer got to take one last ice fishing trip this year.  This time they fished at Strawberry and it was such a nice day I almost wanted to go with!

That night we went bowling with Jeremy's family. It was a lot of fun and I beat my best score by one point.  126

Once we were back in California we had a few things to look forward to.  Ginger had some of her friends over for a girls night and it was really fun for jacque and I to go hang out.  Then we made some plans for New Years. We went to Mia's house in the mountains for some cherades, food and fireworks.

pics of gifts