christmas shopping made better

I hate to shop (it's so not my thing) but Christmas shopping was a lot more fun with these two. 

I'm not sure how we got to the young women in the above picture when it seems as if just a few Christmases ago they were these two pip squeaks...

They are growing up into beautiful, kind, caring women that I am proud of but I sure do miss them as little people.  

family fun with the flip

3 cousins (Michelle, Megan and Emily) + sunday dinner at grammy's + grammy's abundance of toys + unscripted dialogue + a weird sense of humor + a flip camera = this fine piece of cinematic greatness

We had lots of fun visiting with Ann, Phil (& his new wife Megan), Michelle and Scott over Christmas break. We also got to spend some time with Dave's family and Gail's family - both of whom we don't see often enough even though we live close by.  Some of our activities for those days...

we got to hear great stories (Shady Nasty - thanks Lyndi)

watched old family videos ("Dad, dad, dad, dad" - Dusty)

did some pimple popping via iPhone as well as watched some pimple popping - GROSS!! I couldn't get past a second of the video - Cassidy on the other hand enjoyed every minute of it :)

hammered silver quarters until our ears hurt to make rings - thanks for the idea Josh

had a text war with Cassidy and Mandi - which I totally dominated in case anyone is curious

oohh'ed and aahhh'ed over Chelsea's amazing crafting abilities and criticized Carly's lack of them :) In all honesty the cubes were adorable Carly

ate grammy rolls until we wanted to burst

played games

took no pictures - what's that about?

missed the rest of the family - somehow we need to get all the Baker's in California at one time

uvu, byu and fry sauce whoo!

On the 2nd day of our trip, Saturday, we of coursed played in the snow most of the day but then headed over to Utah Valley University to watch Derek's nephew Davis play basketball. Davis (#25) plays for Southern Utah and they were playing UVU.  My whole family went (us, Grandma, Grandpa, my little bro. Garin, my sister Lauren and her hubby Brett.  Once we got there we met up with Derek's older sister Dena and her son Liam.

We also met up with Santa who seems to be a basketball fan - who knew?  Thanks Santa for coming over and talking to the kids - you saved us a trip to the mall.
While the b-ball game was going on so was the BYU bowl game (I also believe a Laker game was on - sports overload for Derek - all his favorite teams)  After the basketball game we headed over to Iceberg for food and Derek got to watch the end of the game.  The black and white of the picture is being used to help you feel Derek's mood about the game - dark and dismal.
While he suffered through the last bit of the game the rest of us happily devoured fries and onion rings dipped in that glorious Utah creation - fry sauce!  If we ever make a pros/cons list about Utah because of a move fry sauce will be on the pros side.
We also ordered Iceberg shakes which are gigantic.  These pictures don't even show you how big they are.  This one pictured below is a small.
Megan and I shared it and we still only made it to the top of the small sized cup (they have to double cup them because the shake comes so far out the top)  I think we were both ready to throw up - we were so full.  These shakes are a nice treat but I'll take my mini Golden Spoon any day.

The little late night snack was enjoyed by all - including Luke.

He enjoyed it so much he had to get every last bit of the goodness in him.  Yes, I realize this picture is super blurry but I had to post it.  Oh, the joy of being a kid - you can lick food of yourself and no one thinks twice about it.  I dare one of you adults to go and try that.

the things one can learn

We love our apple peeler but we were always under the assumption that it was for peeling and cutting apples - hence the name apple peeler.  

On our trip Grandma showed us that this magical tool is not just for apples but you can use it to peel potatoes too.  Do you hear the angels singing?  We love potatoes but none of us is fond of the peeling, especially when you have to peel a ton of potatoes (I think Megan could sustain life by just eating mash potatoes - she is addicted).  Now with our new found knowledge we can eat away because the nasty job of peeling has just gotten a whole lot easier.  Thanks Grandma!

let the christmas vacation posts begin

Here it goes - what used to be boring vacation slides in the good ol' days has turned into boring vacation posts on blogs - feel free to skim through the post stopping only when you feel a great desire to actually know what we're doing.

We were supposed to begin the long drive to Utah on Wed., December 17th but because of weather the Cajon Pass was closed as was I15 between Baker and the Nevada line.  We kept our eye on the weather and waited for the roads to open up and finally got on the road around 1pm on Thursday.  The plan was to stop halfway but we the weather was good and we had the energy to push through (amazing for us old people, huh?)  We finally pulled into Orem around 1am.

The kids wasted no time the next morning - they were up and out the door ready to experience snow.  The girls and Nate have been to the snow before but Nate remembers nothing and the girls don't remember much either.  

We pulled together some stylish snow outfits using snow clothes that my mom had picked up at various stores and from my little brothers closet (Derek and I took turns wearing my 14 yr old brothers camo pants - and if you are wondering....yes, we looked good in them!)  Megan wins for most stylish get-up.  She was looking pretty dang sweet in some way too short snow overalls and at beanie Derek brought back from Chile when he came home from his mission.

Snow balls fights started soon after we got outside.  I was spared because of the camera (at least for this first round of snow fun)

My brother Garin built this fun ramp in their backyard using an old swing set that was at the house when they bought it.  The kids were all game to try it until they got up to the top and then some nerves kicked in - not to worry though, after the first trip down they were sold and continued to sled own the ramp. 

Nate's first trip down (I know you're checking Derek out in those camo pants)...
Do you not love the shot below of him?!?!  Click on the picture to make it bigger so you can see his cute little face.
Emily's turn...
A spectacular finish to her ride.
Megan's first trip and I'm thinking she's having second thoughts...
Look at that Chilean beanie fly.
Like I said...she wins for most stylish outfit.  Look at it!  You know you are all jealous of it.
The first day out Luke was too nervous to do the ramp (He eventually got brave and then went on it a ton)  He was happy to spend his first day ever in the snow making snowballs and eating them.
How cute is he?  Seriously, his eyelashes, little tongue and cute cheeks that are starting to get cold.
Derek had to show off his sledding skills too.  Not sure what the face is about.  Maybe it's not the sled ride but the fact that he is a 6'4" grown man wearing a 14 yr old boys pants - that could be painful.

Of course there was some snow angel action going on too.

At the end of every snow adventure this was the scene...lots and lots of cold wet clothes dripping all over my moms dining room but also lots of happy chapped faces.

we wish you a merry christmas

Greetings from the very white and very cold state of Utah.

We have enjoyed a fun filled family Christmas here in Orem, Utah at the home of my parents. We were joined by my siblings and their spouses/families. We have enjoyed being together and spending the holiday with each other.

The kids have been thrilled with their first white Christmas. There has been lots of sledding, snowball fights, snow angels and snowmen making. I'm not sure we will be able to get some of the kids back in the car for the drive back to California.

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas today!

have yourself a sickly little christmas

Not only did Santa bring a Wii for Christmas he seems to have also brought the stomach flu.

Emily started off the festivities Christmas morning around 4am with a trip to the toilet to throw up (I think she was the only kid to make it to the toilet - good thing we have plans to rip out our carpet and get new flooring)

Nate was next and the poor kid had a miserable Christmas - he continued to throw up the whole day. He felt better this morning and tried eating but it didn't go over well - two trips to the bathroom after eating.

Derek and I didn't feel great in the morning but figured it was because we were tired - wrong! He and I ended up staying in bed nearly the whole day, except for the time spent hugging the toilet. My brother and sister-in-law were here and I felt so guilty for abandoning them - we weren't exactly the best hosts. I hope they don't get the gomboo.

Megan was ok for most of the day but by the evening she wasn't feeling 100% I think it was about 1:30 this morning that she began to pay her respects to the toilet gods. It is now 12:20 pm and she is still sleeping.

Lucky little Luke is happy and healthy and we are hoping he continues to be.

Santa also remembered Uncle Dave's family and Grammy Baker - instead of enjoying Christmas dinner together at Grammys we all spent the day in isolation at our homes.

We look wonderful today sporting sleep hair and wearing jammies we have been in since Christmas Eve. We are hoping that there are never more then three of us needing the bathroom at one time - that might be a problem. We are looking forward to enjoying our Christmas presents when we feel better.

Hope you all had a healthy and wonderful Christmas.

snow in california

Derek is out of work early today so we are taking the family and heading to the snow. Fake snow, but hey, it's good enough for us So Cal'ers.

The Disneyland parade during Christmas ends with snow falling all down Main Street and other areas of the park. It really is a site to see with the snow falling and Christmas lights everywhere. There are plenty of videos on You Tube just search for "Disneyland snow" if you're interested in checking it out.