Christmas #2 - Utah

On Wednesday the 23rd of December.  We loaded up all our stuff, and it was a lot of stuff, into Mom Empey's Suburban (thank you thank you thank you) and headed off to Utah.  It was time for the half of our trip where we hung out with my side of the family.  Yet another adventure and more chaos to be enjoyed.  It was fantastic to all be together.  Here are a few of the highlights.

We went to Build A Bear on Christmas Eve Morning.  This picture is of Marilee's Logan, I know I know he looks lots like Tater.  Each of the kids picked an animal, stuffed it with love and then we headed off to donate them to the hospitals for kids who had to be in the hospital over Christmas.  It was a perfect way to start off the day

 Later in the day we went up to the beautiful but very cold Heber Valley for a Sleigh Ride.  It was frosty but so beautiful and very fun!  Before we left we found that One of Santa's Elves had delivered some Toque's (Beanies for all you American Folks) to Julie's front porch.  They even had one tiny enough for Noah.  They came in quite handy to help keep us all warm.

All of us

After this fun event we went back to Auntie Julie's house for food, a special visitor, and the LDS film, Joy To the World about the Savior's Birth.  We also had Auntie Julie tell us a great Story and the name of it is totally gone from my mind. 

To say the least - Josh is not a fan of Santa - not this year at least.  At one of our encounters with Santa this year he even told me that HE DID NOT NEED A TOY, so he didn't have to talk to him.  It took me going up with him, but he did tell Santa what he wanted and give him a big hug.  It didn't help much that the poor kid was not feeling well and had a fever.  Santa had a little discussion with each of the kids, gave them a certificate for making the nice list and also a real reindeer bell (Oh the noise that brought).  It was great!

Christmas Morning was next - and in accordance with the old Miller Family Traditions Nana and Granddad told the kids 7:30 was the allowed time to enter their room, they all went to sleep in one room and woke up very excited and counted down the minutes.  In the morning Tradition continued as Nana and Granddad had to tell some of their favorite Christmas memories and then the kids could finally line up youngest to oldest to see what Santa had brought.

The rest of the week was filled with seeing my cousins.  Sledding - lots of sledding -  including a few minor injuries.  Tater skinned his nose on the snow after Daddy sent him and Tyler over a jump on a tube.  Tyler was a dilligent big brother and didn't let go of his brother as Daddy had instructed, but they did hit the snow hard. We were able to attend the Temple and do some family names.  We also were there for Natalie's baptism.  It was fantastic and we are proud of her.  Mostly we just enjoyed being together.  I am so blessed to have such an amazing family, not just mine but Steve's as well.  They bring us so much joy and happiness.  It was an incredible blessing to be with them all!