Playing in the snow and visiting family

We took Easton sledding on a little hill pretty close to Grandpa and Grandma Stockton's house. We are staying with Grandpa and Grandma until they leave for Yuma, Arizona to get away from the cold weather and Nathan's rotation starts in Pocatello. Grandpa came with us and we left Blair behind with Grandma. Easton had a lot of fun until his hands got cold and he wanted to go home. Nathan took Easton down several times (which Easton preferred) and Easton also dared the hill a couple of times by himself. Easton in my mind is becoming more and more of a dare devil. I think if we would have let him he would have dared to surf down the hill. He tried but luckily he was on flat ground. Grandpa even went down with Easton once and I took him down twice.

Easton checking out the snow.

Grandpa Stockton





Nathan helping Easton up the hill.

Grandpa taking Easton down the hill.

Nathan and Easton


Nathan taking Easton down the hill.

Video of Nathan and Easton




Video of Easton

Video of Easton.

He's not happy because he wanted Daddy to go with him.

We also went and visited Nathan's Aunt and Uncle Kelsey and cousin Kylie.

Blair w/ Uncle Lance (Nathan's Dad's brother)


Aunt Stacy w/ Blair


Kylie w/ Blair and Kaity w/Easton

We visited Nathan's Grandpa and Grandma Kelsey

Nathan w/Easton, Grandma Grace w/Blair, and Grandpa Vic

Grandma Grace and Grandpa vic holding Blair.

Random:

We had just finished family scripture study and were about to have family prayer when Easton unzipped the top of his pjs, took Blair's new glow worm, and proceeded to try and breastfeed it. We all couldn't stop laughing. Nathan had to take a picture to document it. I wonder what Easton will think of this when he becomes a teenager. I think this will be one of those stories that he will never live down. Poor guy.

Christmas Day in Idaho

We left Utah on Christmas morning and got to Idaho around noon. Eventually all of Nathan's sibblings and grandparents trickled in. Easton had tons of fun hanging out and playing with his cousins. We ate sandwiches and salads and then afterwards opened presents. Easton tried really hard to claim all the other kids' presents like his does with Blair's but because his cousins are older they wouldn't have it. Easton was in tears a lot. He just didn't understand why he couldn't play with everyone elses toys. We all had a lot of fun and we all definitely got spoiled. Thanks for all the gifts!

Fun pic with all the cousins on adults shoulders.

Bethanie w/ Easton, Blake w/Braeden, Gretchen w/Ella, and Nathan w/Blair

4 generation pic (I need to take another one because this one turned out kind of blurry).

Nathan w/ Easton, Grandpa and Grandma Stockton (Nate's mom's parents), Gretchen (Nate's mom) w/Blair

Ella, Kaity (Nate's youngest sister), and Easton



Cousin picture (Ella, Braeden, Blair, and Easton)

Cousin sandwich. They (mostly Easton) had lots of fun wrestling.

Opening presents.

Blake (Nate's brother) w/Kirstin (Ava's daughter)

Nathan with his mom

Andy (Nate's youngest brother) and Ava (Andy's girlfriend) w/Blair.

This is a big deal picture. Blair really wouldn't have anything to do with Andy. For some reason she would just cry anytime Andy came around. Blair let Andy hold her for quite some time and didn't even cry. I had to take a picture of the proof.

Cute picture of the kids (minus Blair) with their Aunts (Nate's sisters Bethanie and Kaity).

It was really nice to see everyone again. The last time we were in Utah/Idaho Easton had just barely turned 1. That was over 1 1/2 years ago. That is way too long. I am so excited that we are moving to California so we can see our families more often.

Visit in Utah

We rolled into Utah at 2:30 in the morning on Saturday (19th). It was a really long trip but luckily it wasn't as bad as I was imagining. I think it helped that we spent a whole day in Kansas so it didn't seem as bad. It was still long and I am definitely not looking forward to making the trip back. We will most likely have to make the same trip (a little longer of course) when we move to California in May. Thank goodness we are moving closer to family because I'm sure after the trip to California I will not want to travel that far again for a really long time. On our road trip I figured out that Easton has been to 22 states already in his short life (this does not include the states that he has had a lay over in just states he has driven through)! Blair has been to 16 states.

Easton coloring in the playroom.

Easton putting a bow on Kodi. Easton thought it was the funniest thing ever.

We went to visit Grandpa Layne at work and he took all of us for a train ride. The kids had a lot of fun.

Nathan, Gramma Sue, Blair, Easton, Braeden, and Ella



Braeden pulling the horn and helping drive the train.




Gramma Sue and Grandpa Layne (not the best pic but the only one I got of Grandpa).

Dad and Easton

Blair and Mom

Gramma and Ella

After the train ride we went to eat and then shop. Easton and Ella kept themselves busy reading a story to each other which was really nice because it was easier to keep track of them that way. It was a little crazy to have four little ones under the age of five. They are all pretty good kids but I'm glad that having kids is a gradual thing and that it doesn't happen all at once (well for some I guess it does happen all at once-crazy!)

Easton and Ella

Layne and Sue took all the grandkids and me around to see some really cool Christmas lights. Two of the houses we went to had their lights put to music. The other lights we saw where on what people call "Christmas lane" all the houses on that street had lights and in each lawn they had a page from the story "Twas the night before Christmas". Too bad Nathan missed out but he was too busy supporting the cougars plus there wasn't enough seats in the car for everyone so I guess it turned out okay.

One of the videos I took of the musical lights.

We celebrated Christmas with Nathan's dad and Sue on Christmas Eve. We had all of Nathan's siblings there which was really nice because it has only happened once before. We had a really nice dinner, played a game with a couple of his siblings, and then opened gifts. I really enjoy hanging out with Nathan's family because they make me laugh so much.

Easton opening a gift on Christmas Eve

Aunt Kaity and Easton soaking in the hot tub.

I really wish that I would have taken more pictures the week I was in Utah. I definitely need to do better. I missed taking pictures of Easton opening gifts with his cousins the day before Christmas eve, making sugar cookies with his cousins, and just getting pics of Blair and Easton with grandpa and Gramma Kelsey. Also, I forgot to get pictures of visiting my friend Paige and her family and also visiting Grandma and Grandpa Davis (Senior missionaries from Nathan's mission). Good thing we will be going back sometime in January to visit so I can get more pictures.

Visit in Kansas

On our way to Utah/Idaho for Christmas we stopped in to see my brother and sister in law in Kansas. My sister, Jana, was also there. It was really nice to hang out with some of my family and have a nice break out of the car to rest. Easton loved hanging out with some of his cousins and wrestling with his uncle Wade and cousin Aaron. It was definitely too short of a visit and we wished we could have stayed longer but we also wanted to spend as much time with Nathan's dad and step mom as we could before we headed up to Idaho. We also had to take advantage of the nice road conditions while we could since we were driving. We missed snow storms in both Maryland and Kansas by a couple of days so it was good we left both places when we did.

Picture above (left to right/oldest to youngest): Aaron, Easton, Aiden, Kannon, and Blair.

Me, Wade, and Jana



Uncle Wade getting beat up by nephews Aiden, Aaron, and Easton.




Video of the boys being boys.

I love the "say uncle".

Before We Left

Blair finally getting her toes into her mouth...

and Easton thinking it is funny and copying her.

Blair loves anything with tags these days.

Ties and bows I made for nephews and nieces.

We had the missionaries over for dinner right before we left so we were trying to teach Easton how to shake hands. Nathan told Easton to shake hands. Easton took both of his hands and started to shake them in the air. I always love moments like this where you ask them to do something and they do what you tell them to do but it isn't exactly what you had in mind.

California Here We Come...

Just a heads up for those who haven't heard yet. We are moving to California sometime in May. We are really excited and can't wait to move closer to family.

Advent Calendar Week 2

Tuesday: Christmas shopping and making truffles

Thursday: Gingerbread (graham cracker) houses and more truffles
Easton and Dad making gingerbread houses

Finished houses (sort of-Easton ate part of his). From left to right: Mom's, Dad's, and Easton's.

Friday: Temple Lights and Concert

Dad and Blair (Easton wouldn't get in the picture)


Easton checking out all the "Christmas trees".
He was amazed by all the Christmas trees.

Checking out the nativity. Of course Easton was more excited by all the animals (especially the camel).

Hand Bell Concert.

Little video of the concert.




Saturday: Christmas for our family and ward party.

Christmas was going to be today but we decided it would be more fun to wake up and open gifts and actually let the kids play with them instead of at night before we go to bed.

Blair, Dad, and Easton on "Christmas"

Book on CD for both Easton and Blair from Gma Whiting

Safari animals from Gma Whiting. Easton absolutely loves these. He never puts them down and he has to make sure everyone in the house has one in their hands. Spreading the joy I guess.

Doll from Gma Whiting. Blair likes the giggle the baby makes.

Thanks Gma! We love all the gifts.

Picture with Santa.

Blair had on a cute outfit but I'm sure you can guess what happened.



Sunday: Kid Christmas Pics. I was going to do family but I forgot (maybe next week)

I had to bribe Easton with Candy to get this picture.

Random:

Blair eating a strawberry from the net thing.

Video of Blair actually eating. You can see her funny technique. I would fast forward to 35 sec because my hand is in the way before that...oops!

Oh, and we find out where we are moving to on Wednesday at 8:30 am. Feel free to give us a call to find out. Also, we take off Wednesday afternoon to head for Utah/Idaho for Christmas. We are driving so call us and keep us entertained. It will be a looooooong drive. We'll stop in and see my brother and sister in Kansas on the way. I'm so excited to see family in only a few days.