We went to Ohio for Christmas and spent it with the Hansen's. We spent a lot of time sledding, but unlike most holidays, we did not spend much time eating. Mike, Colton and I got the stomach flu a few days before Christmas. While this was not ideal, we certainly didn't overeat over the holidays, and since we were at the Hansen's we had extra help while we were in bed recovering. We were able to go to the Columbus temple while we were there as well.
Mike helping in the barn. Well, he's not helping at the moment, but that's because I made him stop so I could take a photo.
Lydia waiting her turn to ride the horse. She insists on wearing this bike helmet- due to its pink nature.
They had this big tree on campus.
He was just sitting like that and tore his eyes away from the TV long enough for me to capture his little smile.
Hey Rudolph!
A local church had this amazing "Living Nativity" You walked through 14 stations all about the life of the Savior and they had people acting/miming it all. They even had real camels for the wise men. It was really cool. And the hot chocolate and cookies at the end didn't hurt at all either!
A big gingerbread house on campus- at the same place as the big tree. It smelled really good!
I loved walking into my door every day over the holidays because I was greeted by this home made wreath. It's the kids handprints cut out on green paper and glued around a paper plate. A fun craft idea for the holidays.
Lydia was delighted to get the scooter she had asked for. And it was PINK!
Colton loved his John Deere Tractor and implements! And I love them too. They remind me of my own childhood when I would go to Grandma's house and 'plant' crops using the woven rug as windrows.
Even Mike's mom got in on the sledding. The Hansen's have the most amazing sledding hill. It's long and fast. 26 mph was our top speed while we were there. And the best part is, you get to ride the four wheeler back up!
One of only a few rides down the hill that Colton took. He was content to stay at the top and push people down.
Mike on the tube.
Lydia was not as reserved as her brother when it came to sledding. She did so well! It was pretty cute seeing that little girl brave it down that big hill.
Of course, one of the best toys of Christmas- the boxes. Colton loved crawling through this 'tunnel'
During Colton and I's photoshoot today, I noticed Lydia and Colton's blankets on the ground, so I snapped a picture, because one day, these blankets will be put away, but I don't want to forget all the love they have received. What a piece of childhood-a blanket. They get dragged everywhere, they are stained and often ratty, but priceless. They are a mark of childhood. I had a blanket- Pinkie. I liked to feel the silky edging pinky had. If Mom wouldn't let me take Pinkie into the store, I would rip off some of that edging and put it in my pocket so I could still have a piece of my blanket. Needless to say, when you start ripping pieces off of your blanket, it gets pretty tattered. 
These are the new shoes I bought for my birthday. Thanks Mom.
It was a pretty tight squeeze on the couch tonight, but all my kids fit- until one of them rolled over. (Notice Lydia's forehead bandaid- a near trip to the ER (again) when she split open her head on a counter at church. We just glued it rather than taking her in for the possibility of 1 or 2 stitches. )
Our most recent Frosty. Lydia was delighted today when he still hadn't melted. (I love the look Colton is giving Lydia.)
My birthday cake. The frosting didn't turn out quite how I wanted it, but I was able to overlook that when Lydia meticulously placed my candles- all in a line.
