It's the most wonderful time of the year

 

We met Santa again this year at Magnolia. He was just as jolly and cute as he was last year, and Sweden cried once again when we tried to put her on his lap. We used our picture for our Christmas card this year. 

 

  

Fox and Sweden at their school Christmas program

 

Finn at his school party with Mrs. Snyder and Santa (her husband)!

Finn was holding hands with Alyah, the girl next to him right before we snapped this picture.

We went to Utah and Idaho for Christmas this year. It was really special to spend Christmas at Nana and Pop Pop's house and to wake up Christmas morning to SNOW! We went sledding, had a snowball fight, built a snowman, went snowboarding-- we thoroughly enjoyed the snow and the crisp cold air, however, after a few weeks away, we were ready to return home to Texas 70 degree weather. 

 On Christmas Eve we give the kids an ornament that represents the past year. Sweden received and ice cream cone and the boys received "ultra rare" legos.

 Sweden received Peppa Pig toys, a toy kitty that drinks milk, a purse with pretend make-up (since she always wants to use mommy's), Schleic animals and more!

 Fox received "How to Train your Dragon" movie and figurines, Ninjago legos, Ninjago flashlight, Ninjago underwear, Ninjago books (can you see there's a theme!?), and Nintendo Switch to share with Finn.

 Finn received Ninjago legos, underwear, books and flashlight, Nintendo Switch to share with Fox, and a Tick Talk watch that works as a gps/phone to communicate with mom and dad while he plays outside with his friends.

 Sweden's first time in snow!

 Temple Square with Lee and Syd

 

The Pie for pizza at the University of Utah campus

 Zoo lights!

 

We joined the Snarr family at a cabin for the blessing of our new niece, Ellie, and for a surprise 40th birthday party for Benjamin. Eric convinced Ben to leave the cabin with him for a few minutes, while we set up-- huge 40 balloons, a cake that he got a kick out of and the best part-- masks of all of Ben's faces from baby to old man! Many of us had a mask over our face when he came in the room, then we read the little blurb I put on the back of each mask, describing Ben.

 We went snowboarding with Abby, Tony, Jackson, Kensi and Colton. Those kids are pros at skiing and it was fun trying to keep up!

 

Date to see Savior of the World at the Conference Center.

 

 

We went to Idaho, where we visited my mother's grave and spent time with family We celebrated New Years Eve at my sister, Shara's house and at midnight, Finn was still awake and wanted to help daddy with the fireworks. They set up fireworks in the snow and one fell over and shot Finn right between his eyes! It scared me to death and left a goose egg on his head but we were incredibly grateful it missed his eye and he was ok.

 We welcomed my nephew Dallih home from his mission in Houston, Texas! We cheered and made lots of noise when he entered the lobby.  We enjoyed hearing him speak on Sunday as well.

 

For Ben's actual birthday on January 2nd, he and I took off and left the kids with my sister. We went to Ben's favorite place on earth: Lava Hot Springs and spent one night their. We soaked in the pool and got massages the next morning. It was his "best birthday ever" he said. :) 

 

 Lunch with Grandpa Capson.

 Finn and Fox got to sit in the pilots seat of our airplane before we took off!