Christmas Vacation 2013

Christmas came and is long since passed for the Nutt House.  We had a rare treat this year and were able to travel to St. George to spend a week for Christmas.  I think to at least one set of grandparents that was the best Christmas present we could have given. 

We arrived late on Christmas Eve which meant grandparents were able to experience Christmas morning with Kara and Kaden.  What fun they had opening their presents!!!  Kara, who had asked Santa Claus for a bicycle helmet was pleasantly surprised to see Santa not only brought her a helmet but a bicycle as well!  Kaden, was happy with everything he got, though the trains from Grandpa & Grandma Lang were his favorite gift for the year.  As I’ve gotten older (and hopefully wiser) I am finding being surrounded by family, by loved ones and experiencing their Christmas joy is THE best.  It helps to truly put into perspective what is important when it comes to both Christmas and life in general. 

 

Stop taking our pictures and let us open presents already!

A "chugga-chugga"! as Kaden calls his trains

She didn't yet know there was a bike

Since we were able to stay in St. George for a full week we decided to spend time appreciating the beauty the area has to offer.  And there was no better way we could have done it than with family!

With new bike in tow and lots of supporters/helpers Kara took to riding her new bike as quickly as possible.  Whether it was going around the block, up to the church about a block away, or to the empty elementary school playground area Kara spent all the time she could on her new bike!  Before we left St. George Kara was riding with confidence and becoming quite the bike rider!  I was one proud momma Nutt watching her bike the areas I biked several times in my own childhood.

No trip to St. George would be complete, especially for Kaden without a trip (in this case a couple trips) to visit grandpa at work.  To a young Nutt, a visit to grandpa’s work just isn’t the same without getting to ride on and drive the fun equipment that grandpa calls “work”.  It was under great duress and with promise of popsicles that we were able to pry Kaden away from the big trucks and fun machines.

Heaven for both of them!

My heart swells with love and pride when I see this

Shortly before our trip to sunny St. George the city opened a children’s museum.  Seeing as we are a Nutt-y family of kiddos, of the both, big and small varieties we had to venture to the museum for a visit.  Considering how new the place still was, that we went during a crazy everyone out of school so everyone headed to the kids museum, and that the city of St. George isn’t that big, the museum really was a lot of fun!  A place I am sure we will visit on future visits to St. George.

This little performer got up on stage with kids she didn't know in front of an audience she didn't know to dance her own dance!  How brave she is!

We managed to sneak in an adult game night with some magical homemade root beer.  Love the time and the memories!!!!

All adults played!  Loved it!!  and hope we do it again and again and again!!

Kara had requested that we must go fishing when we go to Grandpa’s.  (I believe this request will be made by one Nutt or another or both for many years to come… which is absolutely a good thing!)  So, a fishing we went!  After trying different places around the pond, different bait, and just plain old waiting Kara caught her a fish and not just a little fish, but a big ole 3-4 pounder that tried hard to break her little Tinkerbell fishing pole!  Luckily, the pole didn’t break and after a quick couple of pictures the fish was released back into the safety of the fishing pond.  Kaden, who tried to go swimming a time or two is one, maybe, two trips to St. George away from getting his own fishing pole and trying to fish on his own.

Aunt Alicia is a great teacher!

Serious fisher people!

The fish!!!

Love

Where Brent was able to be with us for this full visit I wanted to incorporate as many unique events as possible into this visit.  To help with that, we took a little road trip 30-45 minutes out of town to beautiful Pine Valley so this desert family of Nutts could play in the snow.  It was so much fun!  At least for the first 20 minutes until the cold started to sink in when our desert blood decided we had enough and this Nutt-y family called it quits and headed back to warmer weather. 

snow angel/snow Kara -- same thing

sisters make the best forever friends

I’ve always wanted to share the beauty of the Red Hills of southern Utah with my family and on this trip we took a trip up to the red cliff area where we did some hiking and exploring.  What a beautiful area!  Only drawback was that Kaden stayed back with Grandma where he slept.  Next trip, he’ll be up there with us!

My favorite everything

My favorite girl

To continue the southern Utah/Utah’s Dixie experience we went to Snow Canyon where we had a picnic lunch, fed the birds, and of course, played in the sand dunes.  What a fun experience that was!  Kids had a blast and Brent was good sport letting the kids bury him in the sand.  Yet another place we’ll for sure be back to on future visits. 

Of course, we found time to go to the park, I actually read a book!!! (and not a kids book either!!!) and other relaxing vacation type items.  It was so nice!

Our vacation was wrapped up with Brent and myself celebrating our five year anniversary with a night away in Springdale, Utah – right outside Zion National Park.  The evening was the best present I think either of us could have asked for… time for just the two of us!

With that, we found our Christmas 2013 over and it was time to return home and back to reality.  The Nutthouse had a fantastic Christmas filled with what mattered most – family, memories, and time together, and love.  We are grateful for all the time we get together, the memories we create and share with loved ones, and to be the Nutt-y family that we are.  Our 2014 is starting off strong and we eagerly await all that Our Heavenly Father has for us this year!