Hi Dad, this one's for you! You asked for more pictures, and you got 'em!
We have had a fantastic Christmas break.
Our only regret is that we couldn't bring our whole family to be here with us.
The Sunday before Christmas
Cheater's Gingerbread Houses
Someone found the frosting
We were lucky to open some presents a day early on Christmas Eve from Nonna and Babbo!
They sent this awesome swing, which we plan to hang higher soon, but couldn't wait to get it swinging!
CHEESE!
Our version of Christmas Eve "Dinner for the Holy Family"
Then to our own live nativity. Here you can see the Angel appearing to the shepherd.
Mary and her confused baby
The Holy Family (as captured by our guest)
Christmas morning the first present was this train table so we didn't wake up baby girl who had a rough night.
But when she woke up, she was ready to go and caught on very quickly!
Three excited peoplets patiently posing for a pre-present picture
Stocking loot examination
Tiny Tim
My amazing present from Andrew--a piano!
Ben's "something to eat:" CHEESE! #chocolateface
Mickey "lightsavers." Given from a friend, yet one of the most popular (if dangerous in the hands of my children)
Evelyn's top pick--toothbrushes
Christmas Bliss
Little Bea reading "Little Bea"
A homemade notebook for a true writer
Abraham worked hard one day to earn money to buy these shoes for Evelyn. She was very excited.
He also put everything he could think of that was his in a large ducky gift bag for his brother.
Post Present Embrace
Evelyn received Jessie, completing our Toy Story collection
Abraham aged three years when he received his first piano instruction book. If he's ever a concert pianist, we'll be using this picture again.
Benjamin meeting his dragon.
Christmas night dinner: the kids ate first and then we took our time while they played.
Dinner was followed by a stirring rendition of "Jingle Bells,"
We then had a lovely little carol singing, including two cellists and a violist, all very good musicians. I was holding a new baby, playing with my baby, and sitting by a three month baby during the concert. It was heaven for me.
I wrote on my other blog about what we did today, if you're interested!
I have this thing before most dinners, with or without guests, where I give a mini-speech. Below is a taste of one of them.
How does one cope with a backwards week? Why, he or she makes a backwards movie. We've had a week of pretty serious sickness, a new church calling, a broken washing machine, and a stolen bike (which merits a post of itself--that was quite a blow). While we don't want to rewind this week to relive--except to lock up the bike last night--deliberately making something backwards provided a fresh perspective on reality.
Life is good. Temporal things are temporal. We've got what matters in abundance. And any temporal setbacks or challenges bring us closer together as a family, making the eternal more tangible.
Before I get too spiritually poetic, I'll get on with the movie.
This just in: Right before I posted, Abe threw up. I'll spare the details, but it was an open door to become a hypocrite in the face of what I just wrote--particularly since I thought we were out of the woods with him and Ben's nasty illness. But Abe's submissive, cheerful demeanor just now completely melted me. He was reflecting on how much he enjoyed "the yummy, yummy drink" (Sprite) earlier this week, casually talking about the Tintin movie we have in the works, and smiling while I cleaned him up! The relationship took precedent over the incident and all is well. We may even both be better for it.
Now, onto what I'm sure none of you have been waiting for...
While we were in California last month we decided to make a movie. Amanda came up with the brilliant idea to make a movie about hobbits--given the many little ones and deep woods all around. We improvised our way along, developing plot points as we went. The boys improvised entire scenes, including the Elven-tongue scene (one of my favorites). It was fun seeing my sisters playing the roles of trolls and their spontaneous banter. And my dad said it was the first movie he'd ever been in--not bad, eh? But my favorite scene is when Ariel and Nonie come to the aid of the little, tired hobbits. And to be honest, the hobbits really were tired by the end of the three days of filming, hence the hashed-together denouement.
It took me around 30 hours to edit, but Abe, Ben and I had a good time selecting sound effects and songs.
It's a fun hobby, and in this case turned out to be an engaging way to remember the trip!
We just got back from an awesome trip to St. George to visit family and see the new Galli condo. We were pretty happy to see that they had turned it into a playland in preparation for our trip.
We found a really fun park there on one of our first days.
It's nice when they take adults into account when building some of the equipment.
Zion National Park was a highlight, as always.
Weeping Rock
View from Weeping Rock
In the puddle. It was kind of an accident.
Glam shot
Rocks.
Abe has always been an entertaining story teller.
Snow break.
This is the mug we get most of the time we ask for a smile.
We met Grandpa Galli and his wife Paula for breakfast. It was great to see them!
Andrew and I took advantage of our loving family and stayed a night at a fun old B&B.
We met up again with Grandpa Pete and Grandma Paula at Snow Canyon for a BBQ.
Abe didn't stop walking when he got out of the car until he was at the top of this mini-mountain. Babbo had to run to catch up!
These two hotsies let Andrew take a picture of them.
I love this picture.
And this one.
Ben's happy place: throwing rocks in a puddle.
When we got to the bottom, Ben found more rocks and started right back up to find the puddle.
Pretty Mama.
Marshmallow.
Kicking it at home.
Best friends.
Can you tell why?
Nothin' like a little jungle gym in the nude.
Abe was pretty intrigued when I told him about phone-booths.
Snow Canyon: back for the dunes.
Cute Aaron in his element
Andrew with the nice people who helped him find his wedding band in the sand after a few too many flips.
Andrew enjoying his new muscles
Andrew REALLY enjoying his new claws
Lobster-Man
The Reesors came through on their way to SLC and so we got to have a little fun cousin time!
About as good a shot as you can get with four little boys and their great-grandparents.
Sammy teaching Abe all about the Titanic, his new fascination.
Happy cousins!
A little swim time at Sandy Hollow.
My lovely Laurel sister
Our little water baby went down the big water slide (with assistance)15 times.
Pioneer Park with Grandmama! Like a national park, kid-size.
The heroic adventures after emerging triumphantly from the mini-slot canyon.
Grandmama and Ben completing the equally arduous task of sharing a banana.
Don't worry, Andrew's up there too.
We went back to the playground as a final good-bye to Hannah, Scott and Laurel.
We couldn't pass up a final trip to the dunes.
Back-flip
Front-flip with onlooker.
Another onlooker.
Mamas (including Rachel and her cute little Aaron)
This is how the boys play at home too--side by side.
"Do I have time to climb that in 10 mins?" (Can you see him?)
Watching the descent.
Victorious.
Have you ever seen a happier sand baby?
It was a perfect trip! Thanks everyone, it was great to see all of you! Come visit soon!
