Classic Skating

Yesterday for one of our Winterbreak family outings we went to see a movie at the dollar theater in the morning (something about a Yeti, it wasn't terrible but I can't even remember the title now).  After the movie we took our kids to classic skating to ride scooters and play on the bounce houses.  I can't believe we've never thought of doing this.  We all have our own scooters so we didn't have to rent anything, which made it a very affordable activity.  We had so much fun we will definitely be going back again at least one more time this winter!

Christmas 2019

Christmas 2019.  

We had such a great Christmas.  We spent it at home with just our kids (as we've been able to the last few years) and it was perfect.  We spend Christmas Eve with my parents and family and then usually do a day on the weekend before or after with Bryce's parents in Idaho.  That leaves Christmas to spend just as a family and it is my absolute favorite.

 Our kids are still not at ages that they woke up extra early from the anticipation.  No complaints as we all slept until around 8 am.  Peter woke up first around 7:40 am and I had him come snuggle in our bed until Claire woke up around 8.  After Claire woke up we headed out to open presents and see what Santa brought.  Our tradition for gifts is something in each category of: Want, wear, need, read and stocking stuffers.  They ask Santa for one thing they want, then Bryce and I give them their wear, need, read gifts and stocking stuffers. 

This year Claire asked Santa for a real tea set so she could have real tea parties.  "Santa" also included an apron, tablecloth, vase with flowers, juice, and cookies so she could start throwing tea parties right away.  She was so excited about this gift!  For her wear we gave her a cute unicorn pom-pom beanie, her need was a pink bean bag chair (the need category is a bit ambiguous), and her read was a set of Sophie Mouse books.  In her stocking she got a gold heart locket, a microphone, pens, a unicorn notebook, and treats.

Peter asked Santa for a big paw patrol firetruck.  He is still completely enamored with all things paw patrol and every time we went to Target he would beg to go to the toy aisle so he could look at this fire truck.  I'm not a huge fan of big plastic toys, but this one has already gotten so much use I think it was a good choice for him.  He has literally played with it everyday (for long periods of time) since he got it.  For his wear we gave him a moose pom-pom beanie, his need was a bean bag chair, and he got the book Trucker and Train.  In his stocking he got a paw patrol watch, mini paw patrol cars, paw patrol notebook, pens and treats.  

Having a fancy tea party with Claire's new tea set and accessories. 
Bryce and I got new luggage this year for our want category.  Bryce's wear was a puffer vest, his need was some kind of digital angle measure tool thing(?), and his read was a set of The Chronicles of Narnia (I found for a steal on eBay).

My want as mentioned earlier was a new suitcase.  My wear was a white ruffly J crew button down (so pretty), need was a new Rifle Paper Calendar, and read was the illustrated Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  I also got a cute insulated cup in my stocking (also from Rifle Paper Co).

We ate homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast mid-morning then read a few of the kids new books (from us and ones they received from grandparents).  Then after opening presents, having a tea party, and playing with new toys (which lasted until afternoon) we watched Elf together and ate snacks + Christmas treats.  We usually take the kids sledding but we did not have enough snow on Christmas Day for sledding this year.  Bryce and I made dinner (Spiral honey-glazed ham, funeral potatoes, parmesan-bacon Brussel sprouts, and salad) while the kids played.  After dinner we drove around to look at Christmas lights and listen to Christmas music.  Peter fell asleep on the drive and Claire was almost asleep too so we headed home and put both kids to bed by 7:30.  After the kids went to bed Bryce and I finally started the Mandalorian.  It was a pretty perfect Christmas!

Christmas Sunday

Claire and Peter in their Christmas outfits this year.

Grand America Window Stroll + Gingerbread House + Ogden Christmas Village

We had a jam packed Saturday yesterday fitting in all the Christmas activities.  First we did the window stroll at the Grand America Hotel and saw the giant gingerbread house they make every year (a favorite activity of ours).  Claire was fascinated with everything fancy in the hotel this year.  She loved all of it.  We'd like to stay a night there one year, maybe as part of their Christmas gift or something when they are a bit older.

After finishing at the Grand America we went to the South Town Mall to see the Harry Potter Village and eat lunch at the food court.  We ate quintessential mall food: soft pretzels with cheese sauce + sodas.  We let our kids play at the kid play place for a while and took a family picture in the photobooth.

After finishing at the mall we drove back to Ogden to see the Ogden Christmas Village + Christmas lights (one of my favorite parts of Christmas in Ogden).  We've gone every year since we had Claire and it such a nostalgic activity for me. Due to Bryce and I working opposite schedules we always try to fill our weekends with lots of family time and it is my favorite.  I look forward to our weekend plans all week long and this weekend did not disappoint!

The Nutcracker Ballet

I took Claire and Peter to see the Nutcracker ballet for the first time this past weekend while Bryce was on call. (Please excuse the crappy phone photos).  Tickets were only $12 so I thought it was still worth going even if we left halfway through.  Both Claire and Peter did really well sitting through almost the whole ballet.  It was well past their bedtime and Peter was falling asleep so we left about 10 minutes before it ended, which I consider a success.  I definitely would like to them again next year (or at least just Claire if Peter isn't interested in going), it was a lot of fun!  

Gingerbread Houses

 

Annual Christmas Gingerbread Houses!

We usually make these from graham crackers but I was in the midst of finishing my final paper for the semester and thought a gingerbread house kit from Target was the best route for this year.  It worked out perfectly.  My favorite podcast Best of Both Worlds would be very proud of me for "outsourcing' the bulk of the gingerbread house activity to Target this year. 

Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookie making with the kids.  Sugar cookies are not really my favorite cookies to eat, and honestly my kids don't really like to eat them either haha!  But they are very fun to make and decorate!  We decided to freeze a few of the decorated cookies to save for Santa.  So glad I thought of that idea so we didn't have to worry about making cookies again later in December!

The Polar Express

We surprised our kids with a ride on the Polar Express on Saturday.  I bought our tickets back in September and had been looking forward to it ever since then.  We didn't tell the kids where we were going we just told them they needed to wear their Christmas pajamas and that we were taking them on an adventure.  It's about an hour drive from Ogden to Heber City where the Polar Express train was.  We had the kids watch the Polar Express movie in our van on the drive there.  When we pulled into the parking lot and they saw the train across the street they both squealed and cheered with excitement.  

We boarded the train and found our seats.  We were served hot chocolate and cookies just like in the book.  We sang Christmas carols and were entertained by Santa's elves.  Then on the train ride back Santa came on the train and gave each child a bell.  He sat by our kids and they each got to tell him what they'd like for Christmas.  Claire asked for a tea set and Peter asked for a big fire truck.  Bryce and I had heard mixed reviews from other people we knew who'd gone on the Polar Express so we weren't sure what to expect.  We LOVED it and highly recommend going at least once, especially if you love the book or have a kid who loves trains.  After our train ride was done we went to eat at the Dairy Keen (a train themed local mom & pop burger joint).  It was a memorable weekend with our kids, one I won't forget!