Dirtbikes with Derek Gibbons

Rex and Lyle got dirtbike lessons with Derek Gibbons for Christmas.  They may say it was the best hour of their vacation.  Rex may have left his mark in the chain link fence but he got right back on and they loved every minute of it.

Rock Wall Climbing

One of the fun things we did over the break was go rock wall climbing with the Spechts.  Most of my pics were video so this is all I've got but everyone climbed including Dad.  They all did a great job!

Thanks to the continued generosity of the Bendixsen's Christmas present we went to McDonald's afterwards.  No cooking or chores...yeah!

Basketball Champions

Columbia Basin Ward took the Stake Tournament.  Dad was one of two of the players over 40 years old.

Wisdom Teeth

The day after Christmas, Talmage had his wisdom teeth out.  As he came out of anesthesia, he just rambled and rambled about everything from classic art to roundabouts.  He had me in tears I was laughing so hard.
 
Before

After

He had a very smooth, quick recovery.  He was very blessed.

Christmas

 Hyrum was up at 3 but went back to bed.  I was after 6 when I got out of bed for the last time.
Merry Christmas!!

 
James and I got Sariah a blackhead remover.  It sounded like a great idea until James and Sariah ended up with small round hickies on their faces.

It wasn't a white Christmas, but it was sure nice and cozy together.


My big project and surprise wasn't a complete surprise but it was nice to have finished.

Deep into Risk.

It's not Christmas without some new legos.

Such a spread to be grateful for!

Uncle Dax had worked on the go-cart and brought it to the church for all to enjoy.  The kids were excited to take a spin even though it was a cold spin.

Hyrum


Rex


Sariah

Lyle and James took a spin too but I only have video of them.

ALL the grandkids were together for Christmas dinner.  Well, we thought so anyway.  Then Laryn and Cole announced they are expecting!!


All the cousins had a gift exchange.  Girls exchanged with boys and boys exchanged with girls.  I thought it was a ton of fun.  Rex made Hayden a BB gun backstop like Bryant had done for his Eagle Project.

It was a full day and kids crashed under their new, VERY SOFT blankets by the Christmas tree.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a full day!

Grandpa and Grandma treated all the grandkids to the final episode of Star Wars.  Of course, all the adults wanted to go too so we had a babysitter at our house for the little ones so we could all go.  As people would drop off kids at our house, I would send a kid or two of mine with them.  When Dave and Taneil dropped off Emma, I jumped in with them for a ride.  I had sat in the theater for several minutes when someone asked where Lyle was.  I looked around and couldn't see him.  Then Talmage told me he was reading behind the couch when he left.  After a few frantic phone calls, Sister Freeman ran to our house, found Lyle and sent him with Kase and Brielle who were swung by our house because they were late.  Phew.  We decided to watch "Home Alone" that night.

After the movie, everyone grabbed pizza and headed to Woodward's Pool.

At the pool we set up the #Light the World activity for the day.

Back at home we opened up Christmas jammies... 

and our traditional memories book.

We had cheese, somer sausage, and crackers and played a game before we watched "Home Alone."

Let the Parties Begin

The parties started the night of the extended family get together at Aunt Brenda's.  To represent our family, Rex played and sang, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives."  He did a great job.  Afterwards, Hayden came for a sleepover.  The boys are not fond of double-buckling unless it involves a cousin coming over.

The 5 Amigos.

One amigo was not happy at this moment.  They were up before sunrise setting up their airsoft course.

Monday night for FHE, we had quite the nativity.  Baby Ella played Jesus.

This year's cast.  Talmage was our narrator.