New Years at the Farm

Another tradition! We love to go to the Farm. My parent's place in Sanpete County. The boys and I went with them for 6 days and spend the week through New Year's Day. When we got there there was 2 feet of fresh snow. It was a blast! We used 115 gallons of gas in 5 snowmobiles. Too much fun! Jaxon is now an officially licensed snowmobiler in Utah, so he and Kaden tore it up!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Well, that's what we got! A good thing we like snow. We had the biggest snow storm of the season Christmas morning. How fun!
Chritmas day was spent at Grandma and Grandpa Johnstone's house. We have breakfast there as a tradition. Our family spent the whole day there. We played games, took naps, played Mario Kart on the wii, and opened presents. Grandma and Grandpa really know how to spoil us.

Hustle and Bustle

I often wonder why we do it.... why do we put all the time and effort into Christmas. Decorations, shopping, cooking, cleaning, pouting, whining, cleaning some more. It's crazy! Then the day comes, and the kids are so happy. Santa came to visit and brought just what they wanted. What a joyous time of year.
Here are a few of our traditions. Snowmobile Club Party, Christmas Eve Game Night, Grandma Swann's Christmas Jammies, Family pictures by he tree the Sunday before Christmas. And I put in a rare picture of My Grandma Rayola and her twin sister Viola. They are so cute. Merry Christmas!

Riley Roo's Preschool Christmas Program

This will be the last preschool Christmas program for us. It's sort-of bittersweet. Riley did such a great job playing the toy soldier and he loves to sing the preschool songs. This year's program was Rockin' Christmas. Those kid's had a great time, and our handsome little man was the star of the show, of course!
We love you Riley Rooster!

Two Nights In Bethlehem

This year our ward, and my mom's ward did the "Night in Bethlehem" for their Ward Christmas Party. My mom, being the powerhouse that she is, thought up in her head all the things to do to create a mini city of Bethlehem inside her church cultural hall. She is absolutely amazing. My friends in our ward were doing the dame thing, so I hooked them up together. My mom got the help she needed to built the set, and both wards were able to use the scenery and buildings. Both programs turned out amazing. Proof that a lot of hard work can benefit so many people when everyone works together. You can see all of us in the slide below in our authentic attire. Our cotumes of course were made by my mom in her spare time (yeah right, like she had any of that). Grandma and Grandpa Swann even participated while they were here for Jaxon's Baptizm. Koodos to both wards and their service to bring these programs together.
Keep your eyes peeled for Mary and her cell phone, donkey's pinned on crooked tail, and a sleeping man and baby. They really were asleep on the couch in the church foyer.

Jaxon, the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.... atleast from our house

On Saturday, December 5, 2008 Jaxon was baptized. He was super excited. Grandma and Grandpa Swann flew here from California. We had a party before at our house will all of our family that could come. He was also baptized the same night as his friends, Braden Rudd and Taylor Hess. Grandma Swann spoke for the program, and Granpa Swann said the closing prayer. Jaxon asked his Daddy to baptize him, and Uncle Jason to confirm him. Dad's cousins, Alan and Kyle Keate stood in as the witnesses.
It was a great event. We are very proud of Jaxon and his discision to be baptized. Thanks to everyone that came, and thank you for the neat gifts.

Key West & Miami

Darin and I were able to take a fabulous vacation together to Key West and Miami this last week. We were invited down so that I could do Stephanie's hair for the wedding. That really was the formal invitation/announcement we got from Ben.
After leaving our boys with Grandma and Grandpa Johnstone, we flew out Thanksgiving Day. Spent that night in Miami at a fabulous 4 diamond hotel. Friday, after driving down to Key West, we went snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef with the wedding party and dinner at a great BBQ place in Key West. Saturday was the wedding day, so after a little sight seeing in the morning, I went to Steph's mom's hotel suite at the Ocean Key resort to do Steph's hair. It was fun to be in on all of the pre-wedding excitement.
Ben and Steph were married on the pool deck close to sunset. The reception immediately followed at the end of the pier and began just at sunset. It was beautiful, super elegant and fabulously fun. Hor's derves to die for, a cheese and fruit buffet, open bar, dinner buffet including salad bar, Tri Tip and Mahi Mahi and made to order risotto, and desserts of every kind. It was incredible. Us old folks danced the night away.
Sunday after breakfast we rented little motor scooters. The were so fun. I am convinced that is the best way to see all you want to see in a place. The newly formed White Lightning Scooter Gang tooled all over the island honking horns and annoying the locals. Six of us in all, Darin & I, Kevin & Beth, and Darron & Sandee. We even picked up a few stragglers that wanted to join. Dinner that night was at the Conch Republic. A fabulous seafood restraunt in the marina. We didn't even care about the pooring rain outside.
Monday we ate crepes fro breakfast and rode around until about 1:00 then our travels took Darin and I back to Miami. We spent the night in an Executive Suite upgraded for free on Miami's North Beach. Had dinner at a great restraunt in the Hotel.
Tuesday morning we ate breakfast at a little Cuban place fro about $12, our cheapest meal the whole trip. Darin used his Spanish and knocked the socks off the owner. It's funny to see their reaction when a blond haired, blue eyed Gringo speaks to them in Spanish. That morning we drove down to South Beach so that I could see the Miami Ink Studio. It was fun. We didn't see anyone famous, but the shop was cool. I bought a way over priced shirt. We drove around and took pictures of the art deco architecture and walked a little on the beach. Lunch was at the famous Fatburger. After returning the rental car, a very uncomfortable electric blue Toyota Matrix, we boarded our plane to come home.
It was a very nice trip, a great getaway for just the two of us. Thanks Ben and Steph for making us go to Florida!! Congratulations!
On a side note, the Blond Giraffe in Key West has the BEST key lime pie. And there is a little shop in Mallory Square that has the best fresh fudge. His secret is Cuban cocoa and key lime juice. Well, it was a secret.