Utah

Cameron and I loved going to Utah after Christmas last year with my family so much that we decided to go again this year. I found a big cabin in Timberlakes (near Heber) to rent and we invited his brothers, Kip and Kerry and their families and Neal and Tammy Bybee's family to go with us. The cabin didn't end up suiting us perfectly but we still managed to have a good time. It was brand new and had lots of living spaces for everyone but the sleeping arrangements weren't ideal for some. My parents came up and stayed the first night since Kip and Kerry's families hadn't arrived yet. We managed to make it to church and realized we were attending a Young Adult ward. Funny- everyone was staring at us when we walked in!
My Mom in the kitchen.

Chelsea in the family room and sledding down the driveway. We spent the week keeping busy with all of our favorite winter activities: The men took most of the kids snowmobiling 3 days, we went skiing 2 days (Mia stayed at the cabin. Once to the Canyons -I don't recommend, and one day to Brighton- loved it!), we went sledding at Soldier Hollow- normally I recommend but don't go when it's raining- it was horrible, everyone got soaked and you had to keep pushing yourself to get going again-what a workout! I went shopping with Tammy to the outlets in Park City! I never found the boots I was looking for but did find 2 pair of great heels! I got to see all of my Utah family plus my sister Michelle (visiting from Cali) but not for as long as I would have liked. We also went to Temple Square with everyone to see the lights and go on a carriage ride. Rock band was awesome. This was obviously a fun and very memorable week. I wish it would snow again in Washington - I want to take my kids skiing again. It's so fun watching my kids.

The gang getting ready to ride. I wanted to go - but someone has to stay home with the little ones:(

Mia -checking out the sleds.Morgan loved snowmobiling with the boys!Kerry jumping Mia and I finally got to go! Too bad she feel asleep and we didn't have time to play around - we were running late to leave for sledding.

Mia really wanted to drive. Unfortunetly she kept shutting it off instead while I was driving and I'm too big of a wimp to get it going again.

Regan, Morgan, Chelsea and Cameron
aren't we spoiled?


Kip's version of Delilah

The men think they are so funny - and really they are!Morgan at the CanyonsKerry, Rozlyn and JorgiaChelsea and Cameron below is CollinChelsea forgot how to ski at first and spent most of the time between my legs or holding on to Cameron's pole.At Brighton- Morgan, my neice Andrea, brother Ryan in gray and Jason with the yellow top

Chelsea and Morgan posing- Andrea in the backRyan the studly boarder
View of Heber from the top of Brighton

This has Collin in the gray helmet, Cameron with the black hat, Morgan has a purple helmet, Chelsea a pink, Ben boards by and crashes with a blue coat on!

Morgan and Mia posing in front of one of the fountains in temple square.Alex posing next to his imaginary future wife! He turned 18 on the trip and happily reminded everyone he was an adult!We have to take a picture here every time we go to the SLC temple- where were married and we have a wedding picture hanging in our house with us standing in the same spot (look where we were almost exactly 12 years later!)
The horse - Wesson (brother named Smith) was very gassy!
Our driver was a nice guy who -small world knew Cameron's relatives in Washington- I think distantly related to them.

Christmas Eve

Morgan and Mia

We had enough snow by Christmas Eve that Cameron was able to get the snowmobiles out and let the kids ride them around the field. Barbara (her family was here from Utah) came and hung out with me while Jill, Kelli, Corbin and Conner went out to ride the sleds. Regan and Ben also came over to ride and I think everyone had a fun afternoon.

I think this is Cameron, Collin, Regan, Conner and Morgan

Collin, Conner and Corbin (why did they have to move to St. George? We miss them being around!)

We decided to stay home for a quiet dinner as a family for Christmas Eve. Cameron smoked a turkey that was delicious! Afterwards we continued our tradition of reading and sort of acting out the nativity story while Cameron read the narrative. Then we opened our new pj's before heading off to bed. It was a quiet night but it was nice that way. I was really tired from staying up late for our friend party and then the Calaway party the next night so I was thankful that we all got to bed early.

Morgan as Mary holding baby JesusCollin-a shepard, Mia - a wise man

Chelsea was the angel (Can you tell she didn't have her hair fixed today?)

Christmas

Mia doesn't want to see what Santa brought her yet!

Collin woke us up at the appointed time (7:30 am) on Christmas morning. After delaying him for a few minutes we woke up the girls (Mia was not ready to get up yet). We had another fantastic Christmas. Santa spoiled all of us as usual and we had a great day playing with all our toys. We even managed to get the kids to eat breakfast (homemade cinnamon rolls) before opening the family gifts. Cameron and I both had a good nap (I napped through my in laws visiting). We had to get ready for Utah so we just stayed at home and started those preperations that night. I love seeing my kids faces light up when they see the presents Christmas morning. It's the best part I think.

Waiting to run down the hallway to check out what Santa brought us!

Morgan and Chelsea loved the American Girls that they got!

What a nice shirt! Don't you love the Santa hat he is sporting?

Calaway Christmas

We had the annual Calaway Christmas Party 2 days before Christmas. I enjoyed the party once I was able to relax that day. I made presents for all my sister in laws and married nieces that I finished just in time for the party. We had a good dinner, program (Collin played the trumpet with Regan for our families talent), the men all bore their testimonies and talked about the love they have for their families. Then we sang some Christmas songs while the kids were dressed up. Then it was time for the much anticipated event: opening gifts from each other. The Calaway men have always given a gift to each of their brothers- and this year was no different. Cameron came home with a variety of cool guy stuff. Val and Jane give lots of presents to everyone plus the cousins exchange gifts with the one they've been assigned. I was happy the sister in laws gave gifts again this year. I was thrilled and thankful for all the loot I was given. I also made a calendar this year to give to all the families (but originally for Jane) but it didn't get done until January.

Morgan was getting very tired listening to all the men speak.

Collin showing Corbin to play the trumpet. Ben and Carson are in the background.

Kelli, Jill, Conner and Jill's baby, Camdon
Caroline, Chelsea, Mia and Mason
Jane- Grandma

Collin playing with Jolly Old Saint Nicholas with Regan (Derek played the piano). It was very good considering they'd never practiced it together.

Some of the younger grandkids

Val - the head of the family- We hope he sticks around lots longer.

Our Anniversary

On our real 12th anniversary, December 20th - Cameron and I got to go to our nephew Dallin's wedding to Ashley Henry at the Columbia River temple. I thought it was a great way to celebrate although they apologized for having us spend our anniversary at it. It was a freezing cold day (just like our wedding day but we married in the SLC temple). We went to PF Changs for lunch afterwards with some of Cameron's brothers/spouses/his parents and the Harkers. Afterwards we took our kids, along with the Harkers, to see the movie Despereaux before the reception. We tried to dance one number but Mia cut in because I am her mommy and she was obviously very tired. Here is a picture of the happy couple I stole of facebook.

Collin's 1st Band Concert

I was very impressed with Collin and his 5th grade band! They played very well considering they were all beginners. Mia caused me to miss videoing the trio but they did great. These 3 boys are cousins: Joe on the left is the grandson of Cameron's 1st cousin, then Regan and Collin (who are 1st cousins). Sadly I did not enjoy the rest of the concert as much as this first group.

Where to begin. . . . . . . .

So much to blog about . . . so little time . . .what should I do or leave out. . . I'll get to it eventually . . . I hope.