Saunders Excellent Adventures: Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012

We had a great Christmas! Jon surprised Kyle and me by getting tickets to Utah for Christmas day. Okay, it wasn't an exact secret. While Jon was purchasing the tickets, Kyle was talking to Derek on the phone and telling him about an airplane -- happily, Derek didn't understand that part, so our trip was a surprise for Derek and Papa and the rest of the family.

Except Jon got nervous about no one knowing we were coming, so he called Kurt. And Barry, and Jodi....so everyone but Papa and Derek knew we were coming.

We had Christmas Eve dinner with Scott and Sunny, and they came over at 5:00 a.m. on Christmas morning to open presents.

Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!

Kyle got a Fire/Police station -- like a doll house -- with furniture, a helicopter, fire truck, police car -- it's the first and ONLY present EVER that he's actually played with more than once, and he loves it! Jon did a good job putting it together -- took him 2 hours, and a few swear words, but it went together!

Kyle waited patiently for Scott and Sunny

And as you can see, I didn't take many photo's of Christmas morning. But we had a good morning with Scott and Sunny....and then we got dressed and left for the airport. Where we flew to Salt Lake City. We got our rental car and headed for Papa's house.....Kyle called as we came down the street towards the house, and then we parked and Kyle rang the doorbell. He was soooo excited to see everyone...and it was awesome to surprise everyone! Derek had no idea and the smile on his face was priceless!

Papa acted surprised, but he "had inkling" because Kurt mumbled something about cleaning up because, "Ronna gave me hell last time she was here and things were a mess." Which, might I say, "I did not!!!"

Kyle packed his light sabers and he and Austin had some epic battles!

Logan (Chubby-cheeks, just had his wisdom teeth pulled) and Derek playing a game.

Kyle and Austin

We had a great time visiting and enjoying Christmas Day. This is the first time in 12 years that we have been with everyone. Jon and Barry fought over who should get to find a hotel room, and who would have to stay at the house with the kids, and the clogged tub drain.....

Mark and Jodi, Drew and Carson and Mitch, came to the house in the afternoon and we had fun with them too -- it's a sad, sad, day that I didn't take many photos.

Barry and Lynn and "the boys" stayed around for Brennan's basketball tournament. We went to Jordan High school to watch him play.

The elusive duo -- the two that hide from the camera

Lynn and Jon

GOTCHA~!

Derek, Logan, Mitch, Kyle and Jon

Derek, Jake, Ashlyn and Kyle

Ashlyn and Kyle

Brennan -- warming up

Brennan

After the game we all went to Cabela's! Oh, what damage boys can do to their $50 gift cards and the fun we had!

Then we met Papa at Texas Roadhouse for dinner.

Barry, Kyle, Brennan, Mitch

Austin, Logan, Derek, Lynn

Jon and Papa

Thanks for dinner Papa -- it was great as usual!

It snowed! If you know Kyle, you know that he hates to have rain on his hair. So, living in Western Washington, he's had to make certain adjsutments.

He likes snow LESS than he likes rain!

Didn't want to walk on it, didn't want it on him, and don't throw a snowball at him, or he came unglued! He did survive though.

Papa's Village and Christmas Card

Papa has a very large village themed around Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. There are all sorts of different named cottages, and fire station, city hall, and lots of others. Loved the train that ran through it all.

Choo-Choo

This is Papa's outdoor Christmas Card to all the neighbors, it's lighted at night! I love it.

Gateway Center and Temple Square

We met our friends at the Gateway Center and had dinner at Tucano's. Oh my, can you say, Good food? Then we visited and walked around Gateway.

The tree at Gateway Center, changing color.....

The Miller's

Laura, Gabe, Bryant, Michael

Love, Love, Love these guys!

Miller's had to leave to pick up Gabe's friend from the airport, so they headed to the airport and Jon and I found some parking on the street (free) and had half and hour to "see" the lights at Temple Square. It was snowing and blowing and tad chilly, but we went anyway....sort of ran through, snapping photo's with our phones! Got some good shots.....Have really missed seeing the lights on Temple Square.

This is my favorite pic of the night!

The nativity....

We also walked down and saw the candy windows at Macy's

All of these ornaments were made of candy!

We had fun downtown -- and no, Kyle wasn't with us....he stayed home with Papa and away from the snow. We asked if he wanted to come and he said, "No. No now (snow)."

It had stormed so much while we were there that we didn't get to see Jon's mom. And she was headed to Montana. We didn't see any of the family on Jon's side....Kevin and Christy were headed to our neck of the woods, Jen wasn't home (we were so bummed) and we didn't get to Utah county. We missed seeing everyone!

Logan