Christmas in Utah

Ethan has been asking to go back to Utah to see his grandparents for a long time so we were happy that we could make it work for Christmas this year.  He was also hopefully for lots of snow and he got his wish.  The kids and I flew out to Utah on Christmas morning.  I can't say I ever look forward to flying with kids by myself but they were both really good and it was so nice to have a non-stop flight.  We got there in time to have Christmas dinner with the family.  Abe flew in on Tuesday so the kids and I went to Salt Lake to pick him up from the airport and decided to swing by Temple Square.  The lights were absolutely beautiful but we just didn't account for how cold it was going to be once the sun went down.  Our little Texans didn't last long in the bitter cold.

 We also made another trip to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point.  Ethan remembered how much he had liked it the last time we were there two years ago and he requested another visit.

But the highlight of the trip for the kids had to be the snow.  Although we had seen a lot of snow in Virginia the kids really didn't remember it and were so excited.  I had to break down and buy them some snow pants but after that they were ready to hit the snow many times during the day.  I couldn't believe that it snowed about 6 of the 7 days we were there so there was never a lack of snow.

 The kids may never try "real" sledding after being pulled around on the 4 wheeler through the snow.  I'll have to admit that it was a pretty fun ride.

 Ethan got him wish of a snowman and a snowball fight even though he was warned over and over again that Utah snow isn't that good for snowballs.

 Taylor was a big fan of eating the snow.  I told her that it wasn't a good idea and she explained that she knew not to eat the yellow snow.  She wouldn't say who gave her that little nugget of wisdom.

 Ethan, Abe and I had a fun time going snowboarding/skiing one day.  We went to an inexpensive place that some friends told us about and it was perfect for Ethan's first time.  He did the ski school for a couple of hours and was thrilled with all he had learned. He was quite sure that he was ready for the big hills but thankfully we talked him out of it.  I think the ski instructors must have the patience of a saint because I know that most times we saw Ethan when we were on the lift he was laying down in the snow having someone pull him up.

We somehow managed to lose our other camera that had pictures while we were out skiing and pictures of our family but I'm still hopeful that we will find it someplace weird one of these days.  We did swing by Great Grandpa Andrus' house several times while we were in town and Ethan thought it was the coolest place ever.  He has a small museum in his basement and Ethan loved looking (and touching) all the old stuff.  Taylor is now hoping to get a typewriter for her birthday after seeing one at Great Grandpa's house.

We felt very lucky to get to spend so much quality time with our family that week and we are so grateful for all their time with the kids and letting me borrow all their snowgear :)  We can't wait to do it again some time, but I vote for when its warmer.

All the Fun in November and December

I have once again fallen behind in all the mundane happenings at the Fish house for the last several months.  I had forgotten how busy of a month it had been until I start sifting through the pictures.  Just ignore the bad ordering of the pictures because I'm just too lazy to fight with blogger to fix them.

Ethan also learned to ride his bike without training wheels in November.  It was so fun to see his excitement when he figured it out.  It is hard to see because of the sun but he likes to give me this little wink sometimes that I just love.  He won't tell me often that he loves me but I think that is what he means with his little wink.

 Taylor started ballet class in November.  She gets so excited to put on her leotard for class each week.  I can't say she is learning much but she does enjoy it.

 We took a little ride over to the San Antonio temple with the kids and got to enjoy the beautiful gardens with the kids.

 Taylor managed to shave off half of her eyebrow and take a face plant off the swing all in the same week.  And of course it was right before we wanted to take a family picture.  Perfect timing!

 December was full of Christmas activities including singing at a nursing home with Taylor's Joy School group.  The girls did such a good job singing and handing out cards they had made.  It was so cute.  They all did a great job of memorizing their little lines.  Taylor was quick to give anyone assistance with their lines if they needed it.  They also performed for the families at a little Christmas party and it was equally as cute.

 Since Abe can't handle a few days off without a project he decided to replace the struts on the 4Runner on his own.  I will have to admit that I was a little nervous about this undertaking but was excited about all the money we would save (but that went out the window when he decided that a lift kit would be a good addition while he was at it).  After a lot of hours he finally got it done and I was super impressed.  He was totally dirty at the end of the project but for some reason Ethan thought it would be a good idea to throw a cup full of mud at Abe.  So that added to his look. By the time I got home Abe could laugh at his state.

Of course December also brings Ethan's birthday so we had a fun time celebrating as a family.  I tried a new recipe for a cake and icing that the kids could have and it turned out amazing!  Taylor is already requesting the same cake for her birthday.  I love that they are both okay with birthdays being pretty low key.

The day after Ethan's birthday Santa came to our house a day early because we left for a trip to Utah on Christmas morning.  Abe was working a lot of long night shifts in the ER right before Christmas so it was a process to work Christmas in there.  But the kids were very patient about waiting for Abe to get off work in the morning before we opened presents and being totally happy with a very small Christmas.  I'm very happy that we never hear "is that all?" when they open up their stuff.  They had such a great time in Utah that they were very willing to give up toys for such a great time with the family.  But I will post more about that later.

 I love this note that Ethan wrote to Santa.  "To Santa, From the Fish's. Ho, ho, go. Merry Christmas Santa."  Then he added gingerbread men for each of us with our ages, mainly because he was excited to write that he was six.

 We had a wonderful visit from our family in Dallas for Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately Abe could only make a quick appearance in between his very long shifts at the hospital in November but he still found time to smoke a delicious turkey for us.  The food was delicious and we had a great time watching the kids play together so well.  The weather was great so we got to spend some time at the park and check out the riverwalk with everyone.

 My mom came to visit because she was supposed to watch the kids while I had a trip for work but then the trip got cancelled so we just had lots of time to hang out.  It was much better than flying off for work.  

I also finally managed to quit work in December so that was a big deal for me.  So far it has been great and I'm finding plenty of ways to keep myself very busy.

Family Pictures

I was able to convince Abe that we needed to take some Christmas photos of the family so we set out on that adventure this weekend. We have always said that the Japenese tea gardens in town would make a perfect background so we drove across town on Saturday to make it happen. I have to say I was impressed with everyone's attitude. It probably helped that the kids loved the beautiful area and had fun playing as we went. And the candy promised at the end didn't hurt either.

 

We are continuing to work on a photography skills.  Here are some of my favorites but I still have hopes of sending out a Christmas card so I won't post my most favorites until I get the card done.

 

 

After our fun morning of pictures and dance class we went to Sea World for the afternoon to enjoy our one free visit this year.  I can't believe it has been a year since we were there last but winter is definitely the time to go.  The weather was perfect and the kids were so excited.  Last year Ethan thought the shows were painful to watch and we had to drag him to each of them.  But this year they were both so excited and ooo'ing and ahhh'ing the whole time.  It made it so worth the effort.

 

 

Ethan would have spent all day running through the ropes area if we let him.

 

 

Taylor always has to keep up with her brother and go on "scary" rides but then she is scared silly the whole time.  She made me cover her eyes on the tiny rollercoaster while she was shaking.

Taylor didn't want some stranger to take our picture so she had to pout.

Garner State Park

 I have really been wishing for a camping trip since the Spring but the summer was just too hot here in Texas. And then it seemed like Abe was getting unlucky with his days off so I had my doubts we would get a trip in before it got too chilly. Finally the stars aligned and Abe had a Friday/Saturday off that was supposed to be warm. I went through a google search on "Top 50 Places to Camp in Texas" and found some great options for state parks in Texas. So we decided on Garner State Park which was about 2 hours from where we live. It was another perfect camping trip. We got the kids right after school and heading out of town. We got there in time to get set up and cook dinner before the sun went down. It was a really beautiful place with the Frio river running through one side and some "mountains" on the other. It was a big park with over 500 campsites so it was hard to choose where to stay. We ended up picking a site on the river and the kids loved going through the tall grass and having the shallow river right behind us.

 The kids were awesome about going to bed at night but as always the sleeping isn't all that good while camping. Taylor kept uncovering herself and then wanting to snuggle because she was cold. There was a full moon out that night so the kids would wake up and think it was the sun coming up. Right after the kids went to bed we heard something outside the tent and Abe went to investigate. Whatever animal it was made a weird sound as Abe threw a stone to scare it off. I think I would have slept better if I had known what the animal was instead of just assuming the worst.

 In the morning we cooked breakfast and went on a hike to a cave up in the mountains. Taylor was a struggle to keep moving but Ethan did awesome on the 2 mile hike. We were glad we finished the hike in the morning because it got really warm once the clouds moved out of the area and the sun came out.  Here we are starting our hike and Taylor is already ready to be carried.

We had to take LOTS of breaks along the rocky trail.

 Abe and the kids ventured into the cave while I stayed outside.  Someone has to be ready to call for help when they get eaten by a bear.

 The view from the top of the mountain was beautiful.  The river just looked so inviting.

 Way too close to the edge for my taste.

The kids had a great time playing in the river and climbing rocks and going on a few more short hikes before we called it quits for the day. One day was definitely not enough time to enjoy everything the park had to offer but it was a fun little escape. I think the kids could have spent the day just playing in the shallow water behind our campsite.  Here they are fishing behind the campsite.  The thrill wore off quickly when they realized how hard it was to catch anything.

Abe enjoying his Slim Jim, which are required for camping at our house.

 The water was cool but so clear and beautiful.  I wish I would have thought to bring their life jackets or tubes to float in but I really didn't think it would be as warm as it was.

We found lots of big rocks to climb.

 They had a lot of huge cedar trees in the area that were just amazing.

 After we got home and got everyone ready for bed I guess Ethan decided he wasn't done camping so he got him sleeping bag out and made a bed for himself beside our bed.  We never know where we will find that boy when we go to bed.

It was a great mini vacation and we can't wait to go back.  Anyone up for some camping with us??