UTAH for the HOLIDAYS

{Part Two}

Family hike to Johnson's Arch in Snow Canyon.

We nearly froze, but it was worth it all. Beautiful!

There is nothing that compares to Southern Utah nature. 

After the hike, we had Cafe Rio with my family and played the Wii.

This one my favorite morning and day of the whole trip!

It was beautiful outside, almost didn't need a jacket, and we went to the temple grounds and let the kids run around, we saw the Nativity, took some pics on the stairs and last we went in the visitor center and watched a family film. It was a piece of Heaven to experience that with my whole family and Josh and Kai and Loni Adyn.

The Original Mathews clan. :)

Ended the trip with a new goose egg on Brend's poor head....
the his forehead caught his fall.

 The boys watching the GRINCH after a tubby.

Before Cort and Em went up north for the holidays, we did a gift exchange with them. My parents got the kids comfy matching sweaters.

Brock and Cort scored with remote control helicopters.

Homemade Superman capes from Cort and Em. And Light Sabers from Grandma and Grandpa.

Most handsome Captain America. Oh baby blues!

My parents made a dvd of my brother and I's years together as siblings, coolest best gift eVA! Cried through the whole thing.
I miss seeing him everyday.

Airsoft gun shooting. :)

 

Back and forth from Nana and Papa's and Grandma and Grandpas.
I think we moved the crib a total of 100 times, but it was great. We are lucky to see both families.

UTAH for the HOLIDAYS

{Dec. 15th - Jan. 3rd}

{Part One}

 Cousin time is one of the best parts about being "home".

I love seeing my kids bond and make such good memories with their cousins. We had just the break we needed, to come enjoy all our families company and love, and pack as much as possible into the three weeks we were in town.

 Santa dropped off a toy at Grandma and Grandpa's a little early, that was fun for all ages. An airplane!

And Cohen had been counting down the days until he could play in Grandma's leaves she left for him to throw.

  Another highlight of my trip for the holidays is always seeing my girlfriends and their cute growing families. We waiting too long to take a pic, so we missed Lexie, Loni and Anjuli in it.

 Happy 3rd Birthday to Naoms!

 We had to wait for the sleeping princess to wake up to party, but we didn't mind. Cutest princess party I've ever been to.

 The boys love Tiffy and Jade's dog, Lily. We slept most the time at Kitchen's, so we got to see Lily extra lots this time.

Monday night after Naoms party, we had a short FHE lesson about the Christmas Season, then watched the classic Frosty the Snowman and had rootbeer floats. Perfect! 

This picture I love!

Kai sitting perfectly still, my crazy-ants-in-their-pants-always boys wiggling, and Papa and Nana just being cute and laughing and loving it all. This was my best out of a few tries.

These two cute cousins were in hog heaven going to hike to the top of the Black Mountain with Brock.

Snuggled up to Mr. Handle bars mustache man, I love him.

 
Of course, plenty of swinging at Grandma & Grandpa's... 

 An early PERFECT Christmas gift from my mama to me and my sister-in-law, GIRLS DAY OUT!

Lunch at Pasta Factory and Pedi's.

SO SO enjoyable.

I think we need to make a new tradition every time I come to town. {but we'll buy mama's lunch and pedi next time}

My mom is so thoughtful towards others, her and my dad both think of such meaningful gifts, like spending a girls day out. I love that characteristic of theirs, and hope I can inherit it.      

 Some snuggle time and 'had a little pony' with Nana K.

 

 I NEED MOUNTAINS IN MY LIFE!!!!

Not the best pics I snapped from the car, but I couldn't resist.

 TRAMP TIME! 

One of the boys' favorite things about Papa and Nana's house.

 Playdate at Meg's parents.

Hilarious to see my boys play dolls and house with all the girly girls. I think they need a sister at some point. {in 5 years}

 Early Christmas gift exchange at Grandma Sheryl's house.

Fed Kanoni crackers, the bird that will never die.

 The boys were pleasantly surprised with a remote control car and a snuggly dog that reads a book with you. Thanks again Grams!

Family time, surprises, smiles, yummy smells, memories.

We love the holidays!

Ho Ho Ho!

{December 13th @ Watauga Library}

 This picture sums up our experience seeing Santa this year.

Brendon wanted DOWN and far away, Cohen couldn't get enough words in. Even after we were done, he ran up there while another boy was sitting on his lap with his mom snapping pictures, just so he could tell him "don't forget to hook your sleigh up to the reindeer!" Bless his heart. We have been watching The Santa Claus a lot lately, and he knows the sleigh doesn't fly without the reindeer, so he was quite concerned.

 Santa's face in the picture on the right is priceless if you ask me. He was pretty patient and wanted to make sure I got a few pics of Brendon on his lap. Our TEXAN Santa even wore cowboy boots!

 The Montgomery's joined us, so that made it even more fun!

Live reindeer! That's the closest I've ever been to one.

Brendon thought they were cool too, but his favorite part was the candy cane from Santa that he chowed down while Cohen and I were talking to Rudolph, minus the "sticky hands" part. He HATES his hands dirty.

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!  

Cort in TX!

 This man is one of the greatest I've ever known.
Best brother in the world.
He is always happy, always positive, always full of the Spirit.
He makes you feel wonderful.
And he gives one of the best hugs I've ever had.

We were lucky enough to have him come stay with us for 4 days on a business trip. The boys asked for him ALL DAY every day when he was working, and couldn't wait until he got home in the evening.
I THOROUGHLY enjoyed having one on one time with my brother for 3 nights in a row. He has always been someone I look up to in every way. Wonderful example for my family.     

 We went out to dinner to The Mellow Mushroom downtown, Cathy and Chels met us there. Great atmosphere, wonderful company, DELICIOUS food. The Maui Wowi pizza is the BEST.

 Pillow forts and wrestling matches....
The boys loved him and were comfortable with him right away.

 Love my CORT!

Grapevine Mills Mall

with the Garza Gals

{Nov. 14th}

 This was my first time at the Grapevine Mills mall, and I think my life is changed. Just Kidding. But this mall is great. Just like all malls should be. There is every store you would ever need there. It's one level, huge. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, spending the rest of my birthday money {on myself}, did a little Christmas shopping, and especially being with Melis and Brooklyn.

Santa was there, and Melis and Co and Brooklyn rode the little Christmas train. To make the day more low key and stress free, Brend slept pretty much the WHOLE time at the mall.

We packed a lunch and at it on a bench. 

 The kiddos had a blast, exploring and holding hands...A LOT.

So very cute. Cohen must REALLY like sweet little Miss Brooklyn to hold her hand every time she asks him to. I love her!

 Just before we left, Co got to choose one toy to ride, and the manly motorcycle was his choice. :)

   Thank you Garza's for meeting us half way to play, shop, chat, laugh, eat, and be together!