GOTTA LOVE THE SNOW!

We went to Bear Valley for some fun in the snow. Other then the crappy nights sleep at the lodge, we had an awesome time up in the snow! The girls were so excited to get all their snow clothes on and go outside to play. We rented a snowmobile and the girls LOVED it!! They sat in a big sled that was attached to the snowmobile and it had one seat belt that went across the both of them. I sat backwards on the snowmobile just to make sure they were okay and it was hilarious to watch them. They were both smiling so big and they seemed to love it so much. We had such a great time and will definitely do it again next year!

I love my lens and was happy to take a few pictures before we went to rent the snowmobile. These girls could have played in the snow all day. Brooklyn was loving throwing snow balls but the problem was I didn't want her to hit my lens. I had to keep dodging her throws.










These pictures were taken on my little point and shoot camera. On our way to go snowmobiling.

we took a little break and played in the snow for a little while. Brooklyn wanted to eat the snow and we just told her to make sure it wasn't yellow first.











Every time we hit a bump the girls would fall sideways. Brooklyn could figure out a way to sit back up but Nikell couldn't really do much about it. It reminded me of the little boy on the movie "The Christmas Story", she could barely move because of how big her snow clothes were on her. So cute!

CHRISTMAS DAY

We had a really fun Christmas morning! Brooklyn let us sleep in until about 8:30 which was really nice since we didn't get much sleep the night before. Santa left Brooklyn's present still in the box and Toby and I had to put it all together. We were up until about 3:30 in the morning. Brooklyn and Nikell are the funnest age right now. They were both so excited to come downstairs and see all the gifts that Santa had left them. Nikell did get tired of opening presents though so we left a few for them to unwrap latter which worked out perfectly.

This was Brooklyn's favorite present. She loves doing her princess Bell's hair and makeup! This picture is also significant because it is the first shot I took with my new lens!!!! Santa got me a really, really sweet lens for Christmas. It is the EF 24-70mm f/2.8 I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it and am so excited to start taking more pictures with it. He also got me a tripod something I am really excited to use also!

This Kitchen was Brooklyn's big present from Santa. She likes it but when she first saw it she didn't have any food to play with. So when I asked her later if she liked her kitchen she said. "Ya mom, but all the cupboards are empty". Luckily Aunt Shannon got Brooklyn and Nikell some fun food and bowls and pans to play with!

After we took a afternoon nap we headed up to Bear Valley to have some fun in the snow. We had the best time other then the nights sleep we had. We forgot to bring Nikell's porta crib which was a HUGE mistake. I think we were all about to go crazy because she was out of control rolling all over the bed and Toby and I didn't get much sleep.

More pictures of the day after Christmas to come!

CHRISTMAS EVE

We decided that we would stay in California this Christmas instead of going home to Utah like we usually do. Toby only had a few day's off work and we didn't quite feel up too driving to Utah for a day staying a day and then driving home. So, we decided this year we would do a Christmas at home with just us. We were sad that we weren't able to be with our whole family but we did have a really great time and it was really nice to be able to really relax and enjoy the holiday at home.

We started the day off by baking sugar cookies for Santa. Brooklyn had been asking me for weeks if we could get Santa a present and I told her we could make him cookies. She was so excited that the day had finally come to make Santa some cookies!





The rest of the day was spent just playing and cooking and then later that evening our friends Troy and Amy who are also from Utah and couldn't make it there for the holidays came over to our house for dinner. We had some yummy bread bowls and soup that I have to say I slaved over all day. I am not one to make my own bread but I thought I would give it a go since it was a special occasion and all. I think it turned out good and will hopefully be a fun Christmas Eve tradition.

Later on after dinner Toby read us the Christmas story from the scriptures while the kids played with a little nativity that my mom gave me for kids. Then the girls got up and sang us "Santa Claus is coming to town", there favorite Christmas song.



Tate, Nikell and Brooklyn also had fun playing with Bailey (our dog) a little bit. Which I am sure was nice for her since she doesn't get much attention lately.

Then the girls opened their Christmas Eve present (pj's and a Christmas book)
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Then we called it a night but not until we set out our yummy cookies for Santa and instead of milk Brooklyn gave him Chocolate milk.