Fun in the Snow

New Years Day we went sledding with my family. The kids had a great time!

A few days later we played in the snow in the backyard. Madelyn spent most of the time licking and eating the snow.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We enjoyed Christmas Eve at my parents' house. We had an incredible steak dinner and then my dad read Luke 2 while the kids acted it out with the little nativity set. The best part was when my mom said, "and the angel said..." and Audrey said, "Ho Ho Ho!" really loud. We had been practicing, "What does Santa say?" It was hilarious. I wish I had it on video. Then we put the girls Christmas pj's on and headed home. We put out milk and cookies for Santa and put the girls to bed and finished wrapping presents. Unfortunately our Christmas pictures didn't turn out very well, so here's the best of them.

Christmas morning we woke up and the girls were so excited. They had so much fun opening presents. Madelyn got a dollhouse with furniture, some dress up shoes, games, princess Barbies, and her stocking stuff. Audrey got sit n' spin, busy ball popper, Mrs. potato head, a shape sorter, a pony, and her stocking stuff. Ty and I got Sonicare toothbrushes, and a few surprises from each other. We had a great morning! We spent the afternoon and evening at my parents' house again. We had a casual dinner, and then opened presents. Madelyn got a Leapster from Grandma and Grandpa, and she was so excited, she could hardly breathe, she said, "This is what I've wanted my whole life!" Then she got some games to go with it. Audrey opened a highchair for her babies and some great church toys (I Spy bag and a dressup wooden doll). Then Ty and I got clothes and some new frames for our family room wall, which we've wanted for a very long time to frame the girls pictures we had taken this summer. We had a good time, playing, laughing, and enjoying one another. It was an awesome Christmas Day!

Wilkins Family Christmas Party

My sister and her family were going to Hawaii for Christmas this year. So we had a family Christmas party at her house where we had dinner, and the cousin gift exchange, along with grandma's tradition of new pj's for the grandkids and a Christmas book for each family. We also started a new tradition this year, which was an adult white elephant gift exchange, which was hilarious! I also had made a DVD of our California trip back in October that we watched. It was a lot of fun! My sister always does a great job of entertaining. Thanks Kristen for a fun memorable night! Have fun in Hawaii...a little jealous.

Crazy, memorable, fun weekend...

A few weekends ago we decided to take the girls downtown to see the lights. We thought it would be fun to ride Trax...not such a good idea. We got to the station at 7pm and barely missed the train. So we waited for the next train to come 15 minutes later. We got all bundled in our snow gear and sat there for 10 minutes, sweating because the heaters on the train were turned up really high. We slowly made our way downtown with 2 already tired children. At about 3300 So. the train conductor got on the speaker and announced that there had been a Trax accident and we were holding for a bit until we could get through. We sat there for about 30 minutes. Then finally were dropped off at the Courthouse station and told we had to get out and walk. After a potty stop in a dark downtown basement bathroom, and a 5 block walk, we made it to temple square at 9 pm, 2 hours later. Now everyone was hot and wanted a drink, so we found a drinking fountain and then walked around the lights for an hour, which the girls enjoyed. Who doesn't enjoy the beautiful lights and scenery this time of year? We headed back down Main Street once again for our 5 block walk to the Courthouse station, with 2 tired kids, now cold and screaming. When we got there the train was full and we again had to wait for another train. By the time we got on that train, our kids had lost it. They cried and whined the entire 30 minute ride home with everyone staring at us, irritated. We didn't make it home to put them to bed until midnight. Let's just say we won't be riding Trax downtown again for a long time. Funny enough, the next morning Madelyn asks, "Hey can we ride the train downtown again to the see the lights?" Both Ty and I in unison said, "No!"

The next afternoon Madelyn and I went to see Princess and the Frog. She loved it! It was a really cute show. She was happy to sit there with her giant popcorn and watch the show. It was fun to go just the two of us. She can't stop talking about the movie.

Overall, a little crazy, but fun! Tis' the season.

Silly Girl

The other day Madelyn came out looking like this...wearing my tall boots. Just another day in the life of my girl. She cracks me up!

Live Nativity in Draper

We went to the live nativity in Draper a few weeks ago. Again, it was amazing! We waited in line for 2 hours, but it was worth the wait. It really helps bring the true meaning of Christmas to life. It was especially neat to take Madelyn and watch her get so excited to see the baby Jesus in the manger.

Halloween a little late...

We had a fun Halloween. Madelyn really wanted to be Alex the Lion from Madagascar and so fortunately we already had the zebra costume that fit Audrey, and so she was Marty the Zebra. The girls had fun carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating at dad's office and around the neighborhood, and even passing out candy at our house. Here are a few random photos.

At Ty's office trick-or-treating.

Audrey as Marty the Zebra.

Madelyn as Alex the Lion.