Christmas Eve

For the past few years we've gone up to Idaho City with a bunch of people in our church ward, and since this is our last year, we for sure didn't want to miss it. We knew there'd been a lot of snow up there, but as we drov eup we got more worried about the drive back, the roads were so slippery! We got to the spot, and were happy the road had been plowed, but not too happy about the $10 a car they charged us; that seemed rather much. But we got all suited up and headed for the hills, the epic sledding hills. They are super fast, and really bumpy, especially at the top. Aubree had been SO excited to all go sledding, she'd been talking about it all day. RD took her up about halfway a gentler slope that was pretty slow, and she started crying to get off as soon as she got in the sled. And it didn't get much better the whole ride. So she built a snow castle the rest of the time, and was content.

no no no no!

The other kids did not hesitate. Grace and Reese were daredevils, and Grace wiped out at least twice each run. She kept going even when she lost her hat and gloves, she was hardcore!

Reese went down backward once, which we scolded him for, and he tried surfing down, but it didn't go so great.

 Cameron was a pro, expertly guiding his sled, and only ditched voluntarily, it was so fun seeing his awesome smile down the hill.

going to get cocoa

After a couple hours the gloves were wet, cheeks and fingers red and cold, and even hot cocoa wasn't enough to warm them up.

Aubree didn't want her wet gloves on, but her hands were freezing, so her and I went to hang out in the running car while the others finished up. She was much happier stripped down to clothes and looking at the pictures I took on the camera.
Soon enough the rest of the crew came in, and we headed out. We decided to eat at Donna's Place one last time, but the snow kept coming down, so we hurriedly ate our late lunch to get on the road. They were pretty bad, and we went slow, RD getting us home as we passed 7 trucks/suv's that slid off the road. He's pretty amazing. And prayers work.
The kids watched a christmas movie while we prepped for dinner and cookies. We had our fish/bread dinner, which is always wonderful, then decorated cookies before we watched a nativity show. Reese got the hang of the cookiepress, and Grace and Aubree loved 'decorating' (ie pouring sprinkles over) the cookies.

ready to sprinkle!

that's a lot of sprinkles

 The kids each chose a shape, and the older three chose great traditional christmas shapes. Aubree picked a heart, and when she saw Reese pressing them, she laughed, patted his arm, and said "aw, thanks Reese!" It was pretty cute.

 Aubree loved that she got the eat the extra sprinkles.

We ended with the Christmas Story and singing carols together. It was a great day.