Some jumping around

This winter business has started to feel pretty long to us, so we have started to plan some outings to get us out of the house and give us a chance to socialize with friends.

A couple of weeks ago we headed to Jump Around Utah, a big warehouse someone has converted into and indoor play area. It has all kinds of bouncey houses, a big play structure and a giant pillow that you can jump on. The boys really love this place, and I love when we can find half off coupons to go.

Josh and Henry getting some serious ups.

I wasn't quite ready for how high Henry jumped this time, so he is missing the top of his head.

Josh showing off his skills, these two were the only ones that would pose for me.

Gavin and Noah in the play structure.

Wyatt loved this place when we went this summer, but of course his older and wiser self was a little nervous this time. He spent the first hour walking around with the moms and pointing and people and smiling. Finally he found this tiny slide and after some coaching had a lot of fun going up and down it, until Gavin came over and coaxed him on to bigger and better play areas. It is fun to watch what he is convinced to do when he has a big brother to follow.

One crazy guy

This little Wyatt is turning out to be one crazy guy. Spending our mornings together without the distraction of brothers has really brought out his wild and silly side. Just a few fun shots of some of the things he gets into now that he is 18 months going on 12. What a blast.

A few more Las Vegas pics

We had a great new years in Vegas. And now maybe I will start to get caught up on posting. Just a little glimpse into our fun.

Bridgett and Wyatt cracking each other up while they build a marble track.

A group of hoodlums hanging out by the bbq.

All the boys sharing a bit of Wii time. They didn't even get too annoyed with Wyatt blocking the TV half the time.

A little look at the excitement of our New Years Eve dance off. Yep, we are big partyers.

Valley of Fire

A couple of days after Christmas we headed down to Las Vegas to visit the Turleys. My parents and Bridgett came too. Since they had been in AZ for Christmas, they brought all of the Larson kids with them until Heidi and Mark could arrive a couple of days later.

The first full day we were there Caleb convinced us all to load up in 3 cars and head out to spend the day at The Valley of Fire. It was worth the hour drive, the kids absolutely loved it. Th weather was perfect and there were so many places to run around and climb and explore little caves and rock formations. I can imagine that in the summer if feels a lot more like the fire it is named for, but in December, it was great.

Alaina and Alan both had to work that day, so they missed out, but Cheyenne came to give a us a little more teenage street cred.

All of the little kids crammed into a cave they found on one of the trails. I think the petroglyphs next to them say something about how fat people and skinny people can hike on that trail.

Gavin, Rachel, Hannah and Miran hanging out on a cliff. Some of them may have climbed a little higher than their grandfather would have preferred, but luckily he and Caleb brought them all down in one piece.

Wyatt really loved all of the climbing too. I don't he has ever been so glad that we didn't think to throw in the hiking backpack.

So many cool rock formations everywhere we looked.

All of kids (both young and old) had a great time fitting into little a big caves and making themselves at home.

Wyatt getting a little ride, not that he didn't think he could make it alone.

Henry and Tia heading up, gotta keep that hat low.

Hannah decided to bring sassy back to the great outdoors with lime green beaded socks and a purple sequined hat. Pair that with your turquoise capri leggings and a pink hoodie and you can make even the most conservative ground squirrels rethink their spring apparel.

We really enjoyed our day, even the scenic driving. I would highly recommend it... as long as it is winter.

Christmas Morning

Ahh, Christmas Morning. I am still very fortunate that my kids are always tired enough on Christmas Eve not to wake up before 7am. Wyatt was a bit afraid of walking into the living room, but Gavin and Henry were excited to lead the way. Gotta love those faces.

Once Wyatt realized there were some new toys for him, he cheered right up and got to vacuuming.

There was a lot of excitement about all of the many legos that Santa brought.

Even Wyatt dived in to help the boys play with their Legos.

Many hours of assembly followed throughout the day...

We decided to check out presents from Santa first thing in the morning and then open the other gifts after church. Henry decided that he needed to get back into his pajamas in order to open his presents. Can't say that I blame him.

Wyatt was much more into this part. He got right to texting his friends and playing some music and singing.

Christmas really is a lot of fun with these guys around. We had a great weekend with them.

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas Eve at Nathan and Stacy's. There was of course lots of Wii time, and then kids even spent some time outside in the unseasonably warm weather.

Wyatt stayed focused on stealing remoted and then bringing them to an adult.

There was a small and very creative nativity, including a shepard in a sweater vest who bowed over his guitar next to baby Jesus.

Time to open Christmas Eve PJs.

The boys all loved their cute warm pajamas.

Then Wyatt decided he was in a bad mood and hated his pajamas, and would do whatever it took to try and get them off.

All of the kids snuggled up on the couch to Skype with the people in Iowa.

At least Jaren really liked his new jammies.

We Love Christmas Lights

We love seeing the Christmas Lights. And we especially love going to see them at Temple Square.We also really love going to see them with these wonderful cousins.

My shepards

For our church Christmas party this year the theme was Night in Bethlehem and they asked people to dress up like they were from Bethlehem. Not that many of us did, but the boys were pretty excited when our neighbor called to say she had some great stuff they could borrow. They looked awesome. In every picture Henry had on his tough guy face. When I told him he looked like kind a mean shepard, he said, "Ammon was a shepard and he cut off the bad guys' arms."

Ok, point taken.

December is passing up by

This month has been passing us by in a hurry. We have been having a lot of fun and trying to stay warm. Wyatt has been running around like a maniac making messes everywhere he goes.

We put up the tree and decked all the halls.

We've done some baking and plenty of eating.

We've gotten dressed up to look handsome and festive.

And we have even had time to do some hanging out and reading lots of books.

Been having lots of fun and hopefully I'll get around to blogging more of it soon. Meanwhile, we will keep working hard to have a lot more fun this month. Only 4 more days of school before the break.