Let it snow...so we can sled!

William, Hayley, Cammie, and Riley spent the night on Tuesday. We stayed up late playing rockband, which Amber and Steve graciously lent us. My poor 6-year-old brother was still wired at 1 am. Probably from all the candy and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I'll be a great mother.

Wednesday morning, Christmas Eve, we drove up to Rock Canyon Park to take the kids sledding on some bigger hills! I had to bribe Riley with a dollar to go down the first time, but there were no problems after that. Here are some fun pictures of Christmas Eve morning. Christmas Eve evening (that sounds funny) we went to James and Tamara's house. . . but I'll post on that later!

Reminiscing...

I know the Hawaii post was long and is old now, but I just HAVE to post this picture. Devon's cousin Jay took this of Devon jumping off The Point in Laie. I just think it's such a rad picture that it needs its own post.

Also, my family is here and we've had tons of fun hanging out with them. One funny highlight so far was when we were driving down University Parkway in Orem, just at the point on the street before it starts going downhill toward the freeway. Cammie, 13, saw the large body of water and said, "Is that the ocean?" Her last word trailed off and she thought for about 2 seconds and said, "Nevermind." Of course it was too late and we were all dying laughing (the body of water is Utah Lake)! We love you Cam! Thanks for being such a good sport when we tease you!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I feel like Christmas jumped out of no where. I blinked and now it's December 16. My family is flying in tomorrow from North Carolina, and I can't wait! I'm excited to spend the night up at Granny's with a house full of family and for Hayley, Cammie, and Riley to spend the night at our house, too! And on December 26, the Glassman's and Dicksons get here! I'm so anxious for everyone to opent their gifts from us. Sometimes I'm really bad at keeping gifts a secret. I told my parents what they were getting back in the beginning of November! Haha! I just love this time of year. I'm reminded of how much I have to be grateful for--mostly the Savior, my family and my amazing husband. We had so much fun decorating the house together. We increased our level of commitment by purchasing a Christmas tree together. I also learned something new in the midst of decorating. Devon is quite innovative. Here are some fun pictures of the process!

Devon taking a bathroom break. Haha, it kind of looks like it though.
My sweet sweet precious grinch.

Beautiful Hawaii

My favorite part of blogging is the pictures and I assume everyone else feels similarly, so enjoy these many pictures and not so many words!

Shira had leis ready for us right off the plane.

Our first day in Hawaii we snorkeled at Shark's Cove and surfed/laid out at Logs.
Devin took us on this cool adventure hiking up sharp, dagger-like rocks so we could jump off this ledge into the ocean. It looks like Devon is committing suicide here, but he really did land in water.
Graceful. I'm speechless.
And Devin showing us up.
Thanksgiving morning we went to Waiamea Bay. It is officially my favorite beach! I'm standing on the edge thinking/getting nervous about my jump.

I know it looks like I'm plugging my nose, but I swear I'm not!
Devon's entry splash.
Devin showing us up, once again.
It was so much fun to spend Thanksgiving with the Dickson's and their friends! We had a pot luck dinner at Jackie and Chris' house. They were so nice to let us join them. I wish I had pictures of everyone there. It was a full house for sure!
The day we went to Castles was so much fun! We hung out with Devin and Shira and some of their friends. We surfed and I saw a turtle about three feet away from me. Devin and Devon kayaked. They were having so much fun riding waves, and I was having so much fun watching them get tossed by the waves! I even got a picture of them updside down!

Waiting for some waves.
They are upside down in the kayak with one paddle in the air. Amazing photography.
We went to breakfast at Hukilau cafe. Their bananas pancakes and Hawaiian sweet bread French toast were so good. Afterward, Devin took us on an awesome hike to Maunawili Falls. He the best tour guide!
Devon (my Devon) is the blur in the middle of this picture. He jumped off a 40 foot ledge with Devin (Shira's Devin). Both of them also rock climbed up the waterfall. Pretty impressive!Woooohoooo!

We also went to this peaceful, secluded beach to read. We could see the Turtle Bay Resort (where my parents went on their honeymoon) from where we were. Afterward we went to Matsumoto's for some tasty shaved ice!

We went to Pounders and met up with Devon's cousin Jay. Then we went to The Point so Devon could jump off a cliff into the ocean. After, we drove to Waiamea Bay and swam through a cool under water tunnel and did the "toilet bowl." The latter proved to be a little too dangerous because of the big surf. I had a goose egg to show for it. I must say I'm grateful because it could have been much worse. Devon potentially saved my life. We left Waiamea and got acai bowls at the smoothie shop in Shark's Cove. The bowls have a fruit sorbet with granola, bananas, strawberries, and honey. They taste so good!

My horn growing in.
Our last day we went to the Laie Temple (this next picture is right in front of the temple. The view is beautiful.) and then to the Vans Triple Crown Surf Competition. It was really neat to see such big waves in real life. I'm not going to lie, I was afraid for the surfers. Then, we pretty much packed up and Devin and Shira drove us to Waikiki to walk around and eat dinner at The Cheesecake Factory before dropping us off at the airport.

This is Jordie Smith. This picture is mostly for Shira.

So long Hawaii and thank you Devin and Shira!