Thanksgiving & Flagstaff

We spent Thanksgiving here with our little family, and we kept everything simple and easy.  On the day before, we ended up inviting over the Hassell Family from our ward since we heard that they were eating alone, and we had a nice time visiting with them.  And the kids had a nice time drinking sparkling cider and laughing and giggling over silly made-up / potty words (why do children do this and think it's hilarious, no matter how many times they've been told not to say bathroom words or anything that sounds like a bathroom word?  grrr!).  Then Brandon made snowcones (perhaps a new every-single-holiday-and-weekend-tradition), and we watched a little football.

On Friday-Sunday, we went on a little trip to Flagstaff (doesn't qualify as a "vacation" since children were involved, so it's called a "trip" :) - I learned this from my parents), and we had a great time and made it all about the kids!

One of my favorite parts of road trips are the conversations that Brandon and I have in the car.  Rachel and Andrew's favorite part about road trips are movies in the car.  Usually, they will watch the same thing, but this time they wanted their own movies (Rachel chose "Pollyanna" and Andrew chose "Baby Einstein").

It's funny how much kids love hotels.  We really weren't sure how they would do sleeping in a bed together, but they loved the sleepover.  And since they are cuddlers they were right next to each other most of the night (Rachel is more of a cuddler than Andrew, but I would still consider them both cuddlers, unlike Brandon and I who do not touch when we sleep).  Kendall also did good - the first night in the hotel, she slept for 8 hours!  I realize this was a fluke, but I'll take it.

We also did other typical kid activities - swam in the hotel pool, took them to the Aquaplex Recreational Center with a rock wall and indoor pool, and McDonald's play place.

We splurged and took the kids to the North Pole Experience, since I had heard and read great things about it!  The kids had a great time - saw Santa's workshop, helped elves build toys, elf university, wrote Santa a letter, saw his sled, and visited with Santa Claus.  Brandon and I were less than impressed, and decided it was a one-time thing, not worth the money and not as magical as we were expecting for the cost.  I probably went in with too high of expectations, but I expected Disneyland quality and wanted to create a truly magical experience for my kids (tickets were $55/person for a 90 minute experience).  Example:  they advertised a "magic portal" to the NP on the shuttle ride (which is a decorated Christmas school bus) and all they did was have the kids close their eyes while lights went on in the bus.

During the Santa visit, they each read and gave their letters to Santa so he'd know what they wanted.  Andrew wants a big Buzz & Woody and Rachel wants a sparkly Jessie hat with a braid and Bullseye.  We'd been prepping them all week, but then at the last minute, Rachel told Santa she also wanted a Rapunzel barbie doll with short brown hair - nicely played, Rachel!  And I was a little panicked that this toy didn't exist, but it does - phew!  The kids had such a nice time and a great trip to Flagstaff.

Thanksgiving Feast!  The kids with Austin & Payson

Rockclimbing - both Rachel and Andrew tried it.  We had to bride Andrew with a laffy taffy treat, but he did it!

Fun indoor swimming!  (Flagstaff Aquaplex)

North Pole Experience - building toys with the elves

Enjoying cookies and "snowman soup" while singing Christmas carols.  We had just sung "Jingle Bells" when an elf asked for another request.  Rachel spoke up and said she wanted to sing "Jingle Bells, but without the 'hey!' at the end."  It was pretty funny, apparently she doesn't sing "hey" at the end of her version.

Writing a letter to Santa.

She did a great job and even drew a picture.

Santa's sleigh!

Chattin' it up with the big man

(Andrew really wasn't as traumatized as he looks - he loves the big guy)

Kendall's first Christmas