Back From Vacation

The kids had a great time in Utah while we were away from home for the holidays. We are always so busy running from here to there and everywhere when we go back to our hometown of Orem. We arrived at 12:30 am MST the morning of the 24th. Our flight was supposed to leave Orlando at 4:45 pm on the 23rd . It was delayed for one hour. We had to make a connection through Denver, and the flight from Denver was also delayed. By the time we got to bed, it was 4:00 am Eastern time. Our kids were very tired, but overall responded as good travelers. The kids were very excited for Christmas, and I think they were more concerned about presents than sleep.

My parents held their annual Christmas Eve dinner at my sister's (Julie) house. It was a very large group. There are now forty eight people in the Peterson Family, and that is an awful lot of people to feed stuffed pork chops (just ask my mom). It is a little loud and sometimes overwelming, but the kids have a great time. The sign outside of my parents' home reads: Welcome to Grand Central Station. Boy, is that an understatement at times! Here is a small portion of the gang enjoying their new toys.

Here is a photo of the 6 three-year-old grandchildren in the Peterson family. Shhhhh, I will let you in on a secret. Jyllian is the cutest of them all (but don't tell my brothers, sisters, or their spouses). :)

Dominique was very excited to receive a Havoc Heli from his cousin. I think he was also posing for the picture (just a hunch).

Santa delivered Guitar Hero to Dreyton Christmas morning. Guitar Hero was at the top of his list, and believe me he gave me a HUGE list. He is my easiest child to shop for because he wants everything. Dreyton is a marketer's dream as he drools after watching almost any commercial and immediately exclaims, "I want THAT," once the commercial has finished (whatever the product might be from asparagus seeds to zoo animal waste).

Jasmine was excited to receive the Gabriella doll from High School Musical, and not just because it made her dad jealous that she received what he had listed as #1 on his gift list to Santa. Jasmine had a great time playing with her cousins on both sides of the family while she was in Utah. She enjoyed the snow and being pulled on an inner tube behind a 4 wheeler quite a bit.

Here is Grandpa Peterson in his comfy chair relaxing and enjoying watching his grandchildren play with their Christmas gifts.

Jason and Alayne came from Rexburg, ID to spend Christmas with the family. Jason & Alayne are doing fine and just LOVE Rexburg (in case you were wondering).

After we ate our traditional Lott Christmas lunch, we played some most entertaining games (ones requiring skillz and not just luck).

This year we were able to take Dominique and Dreyton snow skiing. Donovan and I took the boys to Sundance (home of Robert Redford who is much better looking on the silver screen than in person...sorry Bobby, but it is the truth) and had them in a beginner ski class. This was contrary to how my brother (Clint) taught me to ski when he took me to the top of the mountain and said, "Ok, ski down the mountain." I know that Dominique is a little apprehensive to try new things, so I thought it would be better to put the boys in a class. Neither Donovan nor myself have a whole lot of patience when it comes to listening to any kind of whining (especially on the slopes). We picked the boys up after their class at 4:00 and got back on the lift. They were so excited about skiing and wanted to show us their newly developed talents on the slopes. Dominique was a lot faster on skis then I would have thought. He actually ran himself straight into a snow bank (face first). Dreyton was a little slower and apprehensive to turn, but we made it down the hill and back up the lift three times before the lifts closed. I don't know anyone who enjoys skiing their first day or masters it the first day. The good news is... the boys said they would return to the slopes and are excited to do so. We may even take them to the black diamond runs "just for fun!" (The boys are in the background yelling, "No!" as they read what I wrote) The boys also had a fun time shooting guns with their uncle (Brian Pittard) and his sons in the West Desert on the other side of Utah Lake. Luckily, all came home with as many fingers and toes as they left with before their journey began. Brian is just a stickler when it comes to safety. Sometimes he seems to be the most mellow, laid back, and easy going guy I have ever met...um, ok, I knew I couldn't type that with a straight face!

Donovan was really happy he had the chance to visit with some of his best friends who he has known for over 20 years now but doesn't get to see as often as he would like. We should give a shout out to Doug (birthday tomorrow) and another to Brad (birthday on the 15th) who both are inching their way that much closer to the big 4-0 this year. Donovan also was able to get together with his friend and old football/wrestling coach, Don Palmer.

I was able to see Twilight with Anne, Kristen, and Karen. Donovan watched the kids for me (What a wonderful gift! Boy do I sure owe him now.). They agreed to see it again so that I could see the movie. It was a good movie, but I liked the book better. We went to see Bedtime Stories with Grandma and Grandpa Peterson and some other cousins. It was a funny movie. I enjoyed it. Grandma and Grandpa Lott took the boys to see Forever Strong about a rugby team. The boys said it was a good movie, but they enjoyed the Cold Stone ice cream with their grandparents even more. Those are my boys! We all love ice cream.

We hope everybody had a great Christmas and New Year!