Manti

We dropped Todd off at the airport two days after Christmas. It was hard because we had such a great two weeks and I miss him when he is gone! We packed the car the night before so we could head to Manti after we dropped Todd off. I have learned that is is always easier to keep busy and be with family (if possible) after Todd leaves because then it takes the kids and my mind off of him leaving. We had a pretty good drive. We were stopped for an hour due to accidents but other then that the roads were good. I met Lelanya on the way for lunch. We went to a Thai place and it was delicious. It was also goodd to see Lelanya. It has been too long!
Travis and his family were in Manti for a couple of days so we got to hang out with them some more. Plus we got to stay with Typhena and Jesse. It was great to spend so much time with them. The kids have played all week great with their cousins. Travis and Jesse took the kids hooding and they had fun. Typhena, Jesse and I took the kids to the New Years Eve dance which the kids absolutely loved. Billy was shy and didn't want to dance but we had fun playing games in the game room. Johnny only wanted to dance with Typhena and Ellie loved dancing and running around. It was a nice way to spend New Years with the kids. Now we are getting ready to head back to Colorado Springs. We will miss the family here!

Shaving

Grandma got the boys shaving kits (for kids) for Christmas. They wanted to shave like daddy so Todd taught them how to shave. It was so cute to watch. The pictures tell it best!

Christmas 2010

The kids slept in today till 8:15 so we got to sleep in. They slept in the basement with Grandma so they came upstairs to wake us up. They were very excited to open presents. We took a stairway picture (another tradition) and then took down the stockings. Billy was Santa's helper and helped pass out the presents. Santa was nice this year. Billy got his erector set, Katie her dog that walks, Johnny the green sleeping bag he wanted, and dress up stuff for Ellie. Todd and I also got the kids Toy Story dolls. Katie got Jesse, Billy got Buzz, and Johnny got Woody. I got Todd a new laptop and I finally got my family stickers for the back of my car. We all got a bunch more fun presents and we had a great day being lazy together playing with our toys. The funniest part of the day was when Johnny opened his first present. It was the sleeping bag in a box. He got all excited and yelled, "A box"! He was all excited too and then he set the box aside and started opening a new present. We were laughing and asked him what was inside the box so then he looked in it. It was cute. I love my family and an so grateful that Todd was home this Christmas and that we could spend it as a family.

The Nativity

Todd's family has a tradition to reenact the Nativity. Ruby even has costumes and the grand kids love to dress up and do it. So this year I thought it would be fun to try to do it. Todd brought a dress and hats back from Afghanistan so they wore them. Katie played Mary, Billy Joseph, and Todd, Uncle Darrel, and Johnny were the three wise men. Halfway through Ellie decided she really wanted to hold the baby Jesus and so she got to be in the play too. I need to work on a few more costumes for next time. I need to get some angels and a Shepherd. It was nice to add a spiritual note to Christmas. After Todd read "Twas the Night Before Christmas," which is another tradition.
My Uncle Dan, his wife Theresa, and her daughter Brodie came over for dinner. Since Todd missed Thanksgiving I made a big Christmas Eve dinner. We had turkey and ham and all the regular stuff. It was yummy! Plus it is nice to celebrate Holidays with family! We opened up one present (plus exchanged gifts with Dan and Theresa). Tradition is to open one present on Christmas Eve (pajamas). That way we are all dressed in our new PJ's for Christmas day pictures. Then it was time for bed so Santa could come:)