The Holidays are always busy, and apparently so are the first three months of the new year. I am extremely late in capturing these memories but they are too good to let slip away so here they are. The main Christmas highlight was was Uncle Jarom coming to stay for the Holiday. We picked him up from the airport and went straight for the hub of fun that is downtown Kent. (We really know how to show those Californians a ripping good time!) The lights were beautiful and the kids used all their pent up energy running in the sub freezing temps.
Then it was off to the Science Center, where Jarom defied gravity, Joe ate a GIANT sandwich and we discovered Tess is a bit of a puzzle Savant.
Later we took Jarom up to the Space needle and posed for countless pictures.
The Kids and I had never done it and they had a cookie decorating station that the girls enjoyed. It was freezing and windy so we didn't spend much time taking in the view.
See the mix of fear and panic and the early stages of hypothermia, that tells me, "Hey Sam, as a parent, you're doing alright, you're doing all right."
Then came Christmas morning!!! The anticipation was high and Betsy is just young enough that it was like her first time. The kids, per tradition, woke up really early and gathered their spoils to show us in our bedroom. Tess was VERY worried that Santa would leave all Uncle Jarom's gifts in LA and was so relieved when he also walked into our room with a stocking full of goods.
Santa brings candy and nonsense mom and dad would never allow.
Later that morning we opened the presents under the tree and there were many favorites. But Uncle Jarom's jewelery was best loved by all the girls and confirmed what we had all suspected about Tess and a small crush on her uncle.
Betsy tried and tried to get this thing to make her dress pink and then blue and then pink and blue again.
Betsy calls this her sleep hat and wears it to bed most nights.
Tess has serious musical leanings and this was on the top of her list. We'll see if she picks up any chords. She looks like a natural.
And what to get for the kid whose list included an I-phone and a career as an NBA basketball player. The answer is a lot of books. He didn't seem too disappointed.
Next it was off to Ensign ranch to do a little snow camping. Poor Jarom thought this meant condo's. Nope, the amenities included a picnic table, a walking distance port-a-potty, and a wood burning stove. good news though, the first armload of wood is free! We actually loved it and after the first night freezing we managed to find the dry wood and get our cabin to a comfortable temperature at night. Of course this meant me waking up every few hours to stoke that sucker but does anyone ever really plan on sleeping when they camp?
As you can see there was a ton of snow to play around in and the kids were in heaven. All except Betsy who has limited patience for nature. To her it is cold, wet and dirty.
And this is why you marry an Eagle Scout. No matter how ill prepared you come Joe can fix it. Here he is chopping wood into kindling in the falling snow. He also managed to fashion a luggage rack out of twine and old mattress boards. Like a Swiss Army knife he's just one cool trick after another.
Ahhh the beloved stove, a source of pure joy. On it we made three loaves worth of grilled cheese sandwiches and dried out the insides of everyones snow boots. On different sides of the stove top of course.
Here Swiss Army Joe played the part of reindeer and ferried kids too and from the sledding hill.
Sleds and Toboggans were in high demand so Betsy improvised.
And sledding fans young and old caught air on the slopes. You rocked that hill Lisa, don't ever change.
Pecan Pie with the cousins. Seating was scarce in the cabins so a stairwell had to do.
Slightly less enthusiastic about the snow and sledding was Grandpa Ellsworth's wife Rosie and her son Armando. I don't blame them and would take the weather in Mexico any day. They were good sports and took turns sweltering in the cabins or freezing in the snow. It was nice to meet them and they came home with us to Kent where we exchanged late gifts and saw more Seattle sights.
Finally came New Years. Growing up, my family had the tradition of going out for Chinese on New Year's eve. I thought we might start this tradition ourselves.
All you can eat cream puffs.
All you can eat crab legs
And a fried baby octopus Betsy named Lilly and took home with her for a pet.
Gunner had other plans for Lilly's siblings. After struggling through the meal Joe and I decided we just won't be able to do that tradition. I swear the Asian cuisine is better in Eugene. After dinner we played games with friends and that is a tradition we will keep. So we ushered in the new year with a stirring round of Guesstures.
We began the trip on the strip in Vegas. Are they terrified by the Casino animatronics or is it the price of the designer jeans in the window!? 
Carrie showed us a delicious spot, Max Brenner's chocolates. OMG! Do we say that if we are over 13? I don't know and I don't care. Everything was excellent. Milk Shakes, Ganache, fries, tiny little chocolate delicacies I can't remember the names for etc. We chatted there until they kicked us out and then we went home and chatted some more. Along about 3AM we finally fell asleep and were off to the shores of SoCal the next morning after attending church with the Pingels. 
First stop, the beach. It'll take a lot more than pursed lips and white knuckles to open that clam. 
"Don't poke that! OK, poke it." 
The sunset was gorgeous and well worth putting up with some of the more pungent beach odors. 
We decided to eat at this cozy and inviting little place. The Crab Cooker was just that, though I made the mistake of ordering crab cakes. Generally they are delicious but not so much here. But really, when you are at the Crab Cooker, the main thing, is to keep the main thing the main thing. Ah sensible gibberish, there's always a place for you in my heart.
And Everyone but Joe knows that no trip to SoCal would be complete with out a pilgrimage to that happiest of places, Disneyland. Since Carrie was quite pregnant and we only had one day to spend we hit the highlights and left our cameras in our purses. 
Tell the Universe we said hi fiend! 
You may be thinking, "Samantha you look really terrified on this ride." But you're wrong. I'm actually thinking about the woman to my right and I'm trying not to shout, "What the @!$% were you thinking? Hair damage like that can't just be reversed!" 
A final money shot as we dragged our feet out of the Park and home to our comfy beds in Vegas. It was a whirlwind trip but well worth it. 
Grandpa and Grandma Smith who also drove from Eugene to be at the baptism and be a part of the program. Scottie picked all the songs and talks for the program and it was a terrific day. 
