Christmas Break

McKenzie spoke in church the Sunday after we got there, so we got to see a lot of the other family as well. It was a lot of fun, but then it was nice to have some quiet and one on one time with McKenzie. We also got to have lunch with the extended Gallup family which was fun. Mikiya got to go shopping with Grandma and Grandpa Gallup, she thought it was pretty fun to pick out a game for Daddy. An exciting week for her, Mikiya also lost her second tooth and happy to see that the Tooth Fairy found her at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Christmas Eve we visited my Walton grandparents and went to the Belnap Christmas party. This was the first time we saw Kason this break, and Quaid didn’t like being in a different room from him. He kept asking where Kas was and wanted to see him. Grandma had a couple little balls and a bunch of the little kids played with Kason and my Dad. When it came time for the program, I wished I hadn’t forgotten my camera. I’m really good at that. Mikiya got to play Mary, and Quaid was the cutest little Wise Man I’ve ever seen.

We had a wonderful Christmas and have been so blessed. The company Mike worked for closed in October. We haven’t been stressed about what would happen to our family, just praying that we would learn what we needed to and Mike would find work. We have felt quite blessed to have such wonderful family and so many other blessings in life. This is a wonderful time of year to reflect on all we have and the blessings of the Savior.

The rest of the break was filled with playing with cousins, in the snow, lots of games, swimming in Grandma Gallup’s hot tub, and just having fun. My sisters and I made beaded watches and Mikiya and Kaelie had a blast putting all our extra beads on strings so they could be a part of the craft day too.

El Salvador December 18, 2009

My sister McKenzie has been serving a mission in El Salvador and returned home on Dec 8. We couldn’t be at the airport when she arrived, which made me quite sad, but it was my choice to go for Christmas instead. Anyway, Mikiya got out of school for Christmas break on the 18th and we picked up Mikiya from school and was on our way. As soon as we left Mikiya starts cheering, “Yeah! No more school, it’s Christmas Break!!!” I found this especially amusing because she loves school. I guess everyone needs a break once in a while. She thought it sad that Grandma still had to go to school for a couple days. The kids both had naps in the car, which always makes the ride easier. As soon as Mikiya wakes up and often again until we get there, she starts asking if we’re to the trees yet. (The trees that line my parents’ road) She is just too excited to get to Grandma and Grandpa’s and to see Aunt McKenzie!

We made good time and were able to sneak in before anyone realized we were there. It was so fun to see everyone! McKenzie was also so excited, and terrible me, I got caught up in all the fun that I didn’t take any pictures. We got to see all the cool things Kenz brought back with her, and she surprised the kids with fun presents. She gave them each a cute little backpack and inside was an El Salvador soccer jersey. Quaid didn’t want to take either off. She also brought all the little girls dresses, including Twinkle Little Star (she got a jersey as well) and they are just so cute. Then they spent a while with Grandpa and McKenzie putting together a puzzle of El Salvador.

Helping Dad December 7, 2009

The excitement in our house was booming with the arrival of snow. The kids bundled up and played in the snow, went sledding down the tiny slope in our yard, and pulled each other around in the sled. That resulted mainly in Mikiya pulling Quaid, but they both had a blast. One of the most fun activities was pulling out their little garden tools to help Dad clean out the driveway. I thought they were adorable, and they didn’t seem to slow Mike down any.

Thanksgiving Break

We hadn’t planned to go anywhere for Thanksgiving, but at the last minute we changed our minds and headed to see the grandparents. The kids were so excited to get to see the cousins, play in the snow and have lots of fun. Mike and Tom took the kids bowling one day. They didn’t want me to come, but they were so thrilled to show me the pictures and tell me all about it. Mikiya even got a strike.

Pink Applesauce November 21, 2009

A family in our ward gave us a couple of big crates of apples, so we made applesauce. The kids were so excited; they have always loved helping to make applesauce. They were fascinated that this applesauce was pink. Mikiya, very impressed, informed us it was because our apples were red instead of the light green ones from Grandma’s trees.

Got Him! November 19, 2009

Without having internet at home anymore, I’ve found it difficult to keep up on the blog. I am making an attempt to catch up a little before moving on to more recent events.

Mike and the kids have remained diligent in their search for the gopher. Mike saw a cat spying around the area of the trap, so he went to check it out. Sure enough, they finally caught the gopher! Mike decided to wait until Mikiya got home from school before burying it. I thought it might be a little gruesome for the kids, but they were so excited. Funny side note, Mikiya thought it was a mouse or a baby gopher. The grown up gopher had to be much bigger than that. The only gopher she’d ever seen was on Winnie the Pooh, where the animals are almost as big as Christopher Robin, so we figure that must be where she’s getting her information.

Walton Visit!

Last weekend my parents came for a visit, yeah! We all had so much fun, and the kids are still missing all the undivided attention of Grandma and Grandpa! I don't think they have ever played so many games and puzzles in such a short amount of time. We'll just be thankful we are close enough for visits! Another fun thing was at dinner one night. Mikiya just started singing the alphabet backwards. I've sung it with her before, but I didn't realize she knew it. We made her sing it a few times so excited to see her newest accomplishment. I'm still looking for pictures, but I think Quaid was the photographer for the weekend so most of them are abstract.