Nutt House: Lights, Trains, Friends, Action!

The days of 2015 are quickly coming to an end and it seems as if the hours have been smashed into mere minutes as it seems there is never enough time to enjoy the fun times and never enough time to complete all we desire. So, the Nutt House works to takes advantage of each minute we do have and strive to relish in each moment we have together and with family and friends.

Our Christmas magic bringers

This week we did just that, starting our week off Monday sharing a family favorite of Christmas lights at McCormick-Stillman Train Park with friends. After we were properly bundled up to avoid the cold we pleasantly enjoyed the train ride with very little wait. This was a refreshing surprise after we waited in line for over an hour last year for our ride. Seeing the lights from the train was so much fun and to have had the light display changed, keeping it fresh for us made the experience even more memorable.

Train park excitement!

Two cheers to Brent for getting down to take a picture with Kaden

Post-train carousel ride

Not sure how they could have been any happier

All aboard!

Magic tunnel lights

With the decreased crowds we were able to explore more of the train park than we have before. I am excited, yet ashamed to say we discovered their model train building which was the proverbial candy store for Kaden. I’m excited because my goodness, while everyone enjoyed the model trains Kaden was in high heaven… ashamed, because we had not previously discovered the model train building as I feel we should have. One of the unique features of the model train building that both little Nutts enjoyed were the hand plates where a touch would activate a component to the scene in front of us. It may be a new train moving around, a carousel twirling up, a balloon rising from a mountain top or one of many other surprises, all of which we enjoyed discovering.

The train wheel was "SO HUUUUGE"

Their faces say it all

Pushing the magic button

Pose!

Adjacent to McCormick-Stillman we located Scottsdale Live Steamers where we enjoyed one more train ride looking at a few new lights. This time on tiny trains. The train was so tiny that our tall Nutt didn’t dare ride and I was slightly concerned that if I turned around to converse with Kara I would have tipped the train over… the train was unique but oh so fun! After discovering the Steamers and the Model Train building I know a bunch of Nutts that are itching for the chance to go back and have fun again!

All aboard the Live Steamer train

Tuesday evening, we continued our family fun with a trip to Chick-Fil-A where once again we met up with friends for dinner and a little Christmas fun. There were pictures with Santa, and not just any Santa, but in my opinion, the best Santa in the valley. In fact, when we discovered this Santa last year he was the first one Kara was not too intimated by and that she would actually approach, talk with, hug, and even sit on his lap! Santa was just as magical this year warmly inviting the little Nutts to come and see him. Along with Santa there were ornaments to be made for the Christmas tree, pictures to color and balloon creations to be had. Dinner, a great Santa, and a balloon elf hat… come on, the perfect night right there! Right?!

My favorite goofy elf

In between all of our family adventures we took time this week for some Christmas goodie making. Both Kara and Kaden had fun making the treats we have since delivered to many of our friends and ward members in the area. While making the treats was fun, licking the spatulas and trying out our goods was heavenly and delivering them, rewarding and ultimately the best and most favored part.

World's greatest fudge making helpers

Along with delivering to friends and ward members both
little Nutts wanted to deliver treats to the fire station
and so they did!

Friday brought the day our tall Nutt has been waiting all year for… the release of the new Star Wars movie. Thanks to his work, Brent has several offers to go see the movie and being the amazing guy that he is, he chose to take the day off of work and accept the offer that would allow for the entire Nutt House to go and see the movie with him. I have to admit, not having to wait in line for an extended period of time, free drinks and popcorn and a theatre that wasn’t completely crowded on opening day was a pleasant way to enjoy the movie. I will also admit that at as the iconic Star Wars music came on with the opening scrolling up the screen my eyes were not focused on the screen but fixated on the tall Nutt a couple seats over from me. His eyes twinkled their giddiness. He clapped along with other Star Wars super fans as the music started. To put it simply, he was in his happy place and I think being in his happy place with his family there made it even more enjoyable for him. Brent remembers and frequently shares the stories of when he first saw Star Wars now to continue that tradition on with his own children, I know that is something extra special for him and I’m so pleased he is able to enjoy these movies with the kiddos. They know how much their dad enjoys Star Wars and relish in the moments when they can point something Star Wars related out to him, trying to capture and share in the enthusiasm that Brent has for this movie collection.

Releasing some of our goofiness prior to the movie

What one does so must the other...

Just about movie time!

Today after being spiritually fed during the Christmas programs at church we ventured to the west side of town for some sugar cube building and game playing festivities with Brent’s cousin Shiloh. We absolutely adore their family and have so much fun with them! Kara had fun tasting out the sugar cube, discovering that the sugar cube was well… sugar and making two sugar cube houses for some toy soldiers to live in. Kaden had fun working with Brent to create a Storm Trooper mask, eat as much candy as he could sneak, and overall be goofy and smoosh as many marshmallows onto the sugar cube creation as was possible. All in all… a memory creating, relationship building successful sort of evening.