BEST Christmas break EVER!

 
We had a great Christmas complete with a yummy prime rib cooked by LeGrand but the highlight of the year came after Christmas when our friends from South Carolina showed up.  Their arrival had been planned since before we left SC and was literally the only thing that kept Loa going some days --we were SO SO excited to get to spend time with them.

They were coming to a family reunion at Beaver Mtn. so the Whitney and Patrick Moss family arrived a little early so that we could spend time together.  Just so happened they rented an Airbnb up 8 mile and we got the most snow of the year that week and so they were mostly snowed in --it made for lots of laughs trying to get back and forth (even having to get rides from the neighbor) and fun memories!  The kids of course LOVED all the snow and spent everyday sledding.

We finally adventured out one day and showed the Mosses around Soda and Grace, Soda springs, Geyser, and Ice caves

Then on New Years day we were able to meet up with ALL of our Moss friends in Garden City --Such a happy day, especially for the kids!

It really was a dream to get to see and spend time with our dear friends! The only problem...it wasn't long enough.  Poor Loa cried to have to say goodbye, she especially misses them SO much!  South Carolina truly blessed our lives in priceless ways!

December happenings

This is what you resort to when you have to share a room with ALL of your siblings!

I helped with the ward Christmas party and did the decorating of the stage...loved how it turned out!

LeGrand tries to pretend he doesn't like Maggie, but really he's the favorite!

We finally got our first real snowfall about a week before Christmas.  We ended up getting the most snow of the year during Christmas break!

We were excited to go to Logan to the Giving Machines as part of our Holiday tradition of service

 

Hoopes Cruise and Thanksgiving in Texas

The middle of November we headed for TX to meet up with all the Hoopes clan in Galveston for a CRUISE!!  We decided to drive and then stay the week after the cruise and have Thanksgiving at Ramey and Trevs.  The Cruise was nearly perfect --I have created a different photo book for it, but here is a fun group photo!

When we got off the ship we took our little family on a detour through Waco, it was Sunday so nothing at Magnolia was open but I have always wanted to see it so I was happy to visit what we could.  Waco is such a cute little town!

We also stopped and toured the Dr. Pepper factory!

Then we had some yummy lunch and were back on the road and stayed outside Abilene for the night

Only in Texas do you get Texas shaped waffles at the hotel breakfast :)

We made it to Trev and Rameys and had a great time there for a few days, including a fabulous Thanksgiving...I don't have many photos except these of us cleaning up after Trev went to open a bottle of homemade salad dressing and it exploded everywhere --we all had a good laugh!

These two cousins always have fun playing!