Cougar Games

My mom is a major cougar fan; a trait she has definitely passed on to my kids.  They went to 4 or 5 games while we were in Utah.

(Uh oh...looks like Lil's worried for the Cougs)

(Go Cougars!)

Christmas Morning Part 2

Next we had round two of present opening with the Blakes.

(Lily's Microphone-much needed for all the solo gigs she has these days)

(Charlie's Buzz Lightyear gun)

(Books)

(Awesome Batman cars and track)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas Morning

Christmas just keeps getting better with the kiddos! Santa has the best job! What could possibly be more fun than seeing pure excitement from your kids?!

(Before the kids woke up--looks like Santa came!)

Let the present opening begin!

(Lily only asked for one thing from Santa...another phone. 

I guess the other 3 she has just aren't cutting it anymore)

(Charlie's favorite gift--

a Cars lunchbox so he can keep up with Lily and her princess lunchbox)

(And it was filled with his OWN crayons and paper)

(Both the kids got mini nerf guns in their stockings...perfect for sibling rivalry!)

(Luckily, Charles LOVED being shot in the stomach)

(Even Mom's and Dad's stockings were stuffed! 

"Who wouldn't love a can opener?!"

"Socks? My favorite!")

(And what's Christmas without a little Snow White action for Lil)

(My mom also got the kids these amazing art tables! Lily is in heaven...she pretty much lives at her desk.)

(I am often floored by how much these two genuinely love each other)

Pioneer Village

This year we did something I've never done. We went to Pioneer Village for their Christmas stuff. It was actually really fun! I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did! They had train rides, carolers, crafts, a puppet show, and elf village, santa, and a live nativity.

(Of course it was cold so we bundled up...Charlie in Dad's gloves)

(Live Nativity: both Lily and Charlie were totally taken with baby Jesus)

(Complete with sheep)

(Sitting in a sleigh, waiting for Father Christmas)

(Lil and Father Christmas having a nice chat)

Nutcracker

We started off the Utah holiday season right with the Nutcracker Ballet at the Covey Center for the Arts. I was a little worried about Lily's attention span but she did great! She loved it so much she was inspired to jump out of her seat and dance along!

(The many faces of Lil at intermission)

(Lillerina)

Ward Christmas Party

Gotta love a ward Christmas party! I'm not totally sure why all these pics are so blurry and crazy-eyed and crappy but they're all I have.

(Meeting Santa)

(Super blurry Christmas tree shot)

(Super crazy eye family pic)

Presidio Tree Lighting

This year we missed the big tree lightings in the city but our own little Presidio does a small one that we were able to make it to!

And of course we had to make a Ghirardelli stop:

Natural History Museum

While in Utah, we also got to check out a new museum, the Natural History Museum at the University of Utah. There were a lot of great kid-friendly exhibits!

A visit to the 4th grade

One of our mornings spent in Utah we visited my mom's 4th grade class.  My mom set up a desk for Lily and she fit right in!

(Working hard while the kids take a test)

(Eating lunch in the cafeteria)

Lily also decided she needed to sing a few solos to the whole class! 

(Christmas Bells Are Ringing--the beginning is cut off because I didn't believe 

for a minute that she would actually get up there and sing!)

(Star Spangled Banner)

Charlie's 18 month stats

The Stats:

Length: 32 in. (41st percentile)

Weight: 24 lb. 9 oz. (31st percentile)

Head: 19 in. (72nd percentile)