On the Way to Utah

We started driving back to Utah on October 2nd. Our first stop on the way out of town was to visit my friend, Jonelle (whom I ran Boston with), and her family including her 5-day-old twin girls. 

We also made a stop at In-N-Out and an outlet mall in Barstow. 

Then, we stopped in Las Vegas so I could go to CSI: The Experience (hands down my favorite TV show of all time) while the kids and Brian went to M&M World. 

Then, we spent the night in St. George at Brian's Hanks Grandparents winter home. We were so grateful to have a place to stay the night because we were very tired after all of our previous days of fun!

Jonelle and me. I miss our morning runs!

Baby girls, Charlotte and Juliet.

Mmmm...In-N-Out.

For some reason, this struck me as really funny when I saw it in the bathroom at the outlet mall. It's like, "If you're falling, don't forget to have jazz hands!" :)

Proof I was there. It really wasn't that new and exciting since I have watched every episode of the show, but it was fun to go, nonetheless.

I don't think I was supposed to take this picture, but this was the scene I was given to try to figure out what happened.

The kids in Vegas.

The kids with an M&M.

Cute kids!

Wes with a green M&M.

In St. George, Wes brought in all of the stuffed animals he had with him so he could sleep by them. He bought both Plutos and the Lightning McQueen at Disneyland.

Sydney writing in the guest book at Great Grandma and Grandpa Hanks' house.

Christmas Day 2013

We were up by 6am on Christmas Day. I think the older kids were up a bit earlier, but we told them they had to stay in their rooms until 6:30am.

Stockings for the (Boise) Hanks family.

Looking at their stocking spoils.

Ruth explored her stocking as well.

Exciting!

She was very excited about her oranges.

Brian got five nail clippers in his stocking which was perfect because he always loses them and then steals mine!

We're all checking out our stuff.

One practically perfect pull-apart and one that was a total mess.

Santa left a present for each of the kids!

Wes, Sydney and Grandpa all helped Ruth open her Santa present.

The poppin' piano Ruth got.

Sydney got a Butterfly Kit from Santa - just what she wanted!

Wes got a remote-controlled helicopter. Not exactly what he wanted (he really wanted "a car kids can drive") but he was thrilled nonetheless.

Brian helping Ruth open a present.

Ruth got some plastic ball pit balls from Brian and me.

Wes loved this soft and cozy hoodie he got from G&G Swensen.

Wes and Brian with the Apple TV he got from his parents.

Sydney wanted a picture of this "S" keychain from Santa and the purse from G&G Swensen.

Sydney and her new dress.

Ruth testing out her new ball pit.

Ruth was a big fan of this giant pink dog. It's so soft and cuddly!

Ruth cuddled with me for just a minute (a rarity!) so I had to document it.

Wes tested out his helicopter and was so nice to let everyone try it out, too.

Ruth had some play time with her new toys.

Grandpa Hanks helped Wes figure out how to use his Snap Circuits.

Sydney helped, too.

After dinner, Craig and Soren took a nap!

Christmas Eve 2013

The morning of Christmas Eve, we had brunch with some of our LDS friends from our time in the MBA program at Michigan. Later, the kids went sledding again and then we had some traditional Christmas Eve festivities.

The MBA friends that could join the party. We were missing one family and a few kiddos.

Brian and Grandpa helped the kids sled.

Wes coming down the hill.

Sydney making her way up the hill.

Wes and Sydney sledding down the hill with Brian and Grandma watching.

Down Wes goes!

Ready to play!

This was my Santa letter. The kids thought it was pretty cool. It says, "Dear Santa: For Christmas I would like happy children and lots of kisses from my love! Thanks! Natalie"

Grandpa Hanks with Ruth.

Wes playing a Christmas song while we sang along.

Sydney playing the harp while we sang along.

The kids all happened to be coordinated and cute with their dad.

Brian playing the trombone. A hidden talent, obviously.

Christmas Eve presents.

I had to help Ruth figure out what to do with the package.

Pajamas and a book!

Sydney, too.

Ruth seemed happy enough about it.

The kids picked out their fabric and then I made the pajamas, so they weren't a total surprise. The shirts were a surprise part for them because they hadn't seen those.

Reading their new Christmas books. Love.

Ruth "read" her book, too.

Grandma Hanks and Ruth.

We watched The Polar Express (my favorite Christmas movie) and we always pause after the Hot Chocolate song to have our own hot chocolate.

During the movie, Sydney got nervous so she hid herself in the ottoman. She even put the lid on for a bit.

After the kids went to bed, I went to work prepping the pull-aparts for Christmas morning!