Such a Helper

As we picked up a few things at Walmart before going to visit Grandma and Grandpa B.  Mr. Grant proved to be extra helpful!

As we went through out the store getting the few things that we needed he kept saying he could carry them for me.  He put the scarf on his neck, hung the socks and pajamas on his levi pockets and carried the contact solution in his hand!  Man such a great helper!!!  He was pretty proud of his ingenuity!

The REAL reason

The real reason for our quick trip to Utah was to go visit Grandma and Grandpa B in Tooele. Grandpa B is in an assisted living home called The Magnolia House, just down the street from Grandma's. 

 

Sharon helped round up a couple of violins for Kiersten and Hunter to use so that they could play for Grandpa B and the other residence. 

Grandpa was very emotional while the kids played. It was difficult to watch!  

Kiersten and Hunter did a great time playing a few Christmas songs. Grandma B joined in by singing along to the music. It was super sweet!

I think all the residence enjoyed it. 

Grandma and Cindy decided we should take Grandpa back to the house to visit more with him. Once he got home Grandpa really became himself. He was joking, laughing and telling us all kinds of stories!  It was a precious time for us!

With Grandpa's alzheimer's is can be hard, especially for young children who don't understand why he is asking the same question over and over and over again.  Our kids all did a wonderful time not mentioning to Grandpa B anything able him repeating himself. 

We really enjoyed spending the day with them. Cindy went and got us Pappa Murphey's Pizaa which was yummy! 

             We loved seeing Grandma B's  g. Gorgeously decorated Christmans tree as well as her collection of nutcrackers! It was a sweet time for us and we were grateful to get some one on one time with them!  Grandma B was recovery from her stroke still but she was as warm and loving as every! With Grandpa B's health declining we really felt impressed to make the long drive to see him.

 It was a fun trip even if the drive is long. It's a good 12 plus hour drive. We sure love Grandma and Grandpa B. It is a trip we will never regret taking I'm confident in that! #familiesarethebest

Sledding Fun

While Justin got some sleep at Aunt Cindy's house in preparation for the long drive home I took the kids sledding at the nearby elementary school. Grandma B got us a couple of sleds and then Sharon was so sweet and brought a ton of things for the ride on. Sharon hauled all the tubes and sleds down to the school in the back of her truck, as we didn't have room for it in the van. 

This was Silvio's first time snow sledding!

From the looks of his face in this picture I'd say he LOVED it!!!

Mr. Grant did not let 9 stitches on his head slow him down at all. He was a sledding fool! 

Hunter going head first! 

This is Kiersten enjoying a fast ride down!

Logan loved sledding! 

Sharon even had a double riding tube. The kids love it! 

The kids enjoyed trying the different sleds and tubes. They tried going down simultaneously next to each other while holding hands. Now that was pretty funny to watch!  

Ella was such a trooper and enjoyed climbing all over the van while we watched from inside the warm can as the other kids sled. She loved watching them go down the big hill and even cheered for them! 

Sharon told me to call her when the kids were tried of sledding. She thought we last about an hour at the longest. Well three hours later she showed up at the school because she assumed we were having problems or something. It was like  7 degrees and only got colder as the time went on. So Sharon did think our Arizona kids would handle that cold. To be honest neither did I! But man they were tough and couldn't get enough of the sledding. Sharon set there and visited with me watching the kids sled for a good 30 minutes and then I finally had to just make the kids load up because I didn't want to make her wait any longer. Plus it was getting dark. 

Sledding was the perfect activity to do before our long drive home!  We drove at night both to Utah and back so that the kids would just sleep as we traveled. It worked out pretty good!  We sure made some fun memories sledding!!!

Seven Peaks

One day we took the kids to Seven Peaks for a couple of hours before we went to Temple Square. I didn't take many pictures while we were there. 

This was Hunter's first time playing paint ball. After a few rounds he was done!  He didn't really like it because the guns were so heavy and big so it made shooting difficult for him. 

This was also Silvio's first time playing paint ball. He LOVED it!!!!

He played for a long time and had a blast! 

Hard to believe these two are brothers right?  Hehehe....who knows maybe Hunter will grow tall someday! 

The paint ball course was pretty cool here with lots of places to run and hide. 

Obviously the kids had a fun time and it was nice to be inside where it was nice and WARM!!! So not use to this cold weather!  It's colder than usually says the locals....yay....NOT!! 

Temple Square

While in Salt Lake in December we couldn't pass up seeing the Temple lights! 

They were impressive!

It was so very cold when we went. I believe it was in the negatives!!

Brynlee and Grant were so cute together. Grant always wanted to hold her hand! 

It was a great experience to walk around the temple with snow on the ground and Christmans lights decorating the ground. Going to Temple Square at Christmas has always been on my bucket list!

Love these beautiful girls!

They had a fun evening together even though it was FREEZING! 

I love this group of people right here!  They make me who I am today!

Love my sweet family!

Ella was the cutest pink marshmallow I've ever seen! 

           It was great to meet up with

        Brian and Tif while we were all in                 Utah. We ended the night with Cafe Rio! 

Teppanyaki Time

Oh how we love a good teppanyaki place!

Even if they typically do that same "tricks" it's still pretty darn cool!

Looks like the kids agree with me and love to be entertained by the chief as well!

We stopped and had some delicious food before heading to Seven Peaks to wear the kids out!

Even Ella thought the chief was great!

Good food on a fun trip!

Salt Lake Movie Time

After spending part of the day at the children's museum we decided to go watch a movie. 

We enjoyed the short walk to the theater. The light snow make it extra fun for us Arizonans!

I love this beautiful girl of mine!

When we got out from seeing Night at the Museum Secret of the Tomb, it was snowing even more! From the looks of these faces I'd say the kids liked it. The movie AND THE SNOW!

Ella did great and slept the entire movie....yay! 

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

After our unexpected trip to the ER Justin dropped the kids and I off for the day at Salt Lakes Children's Museum. Justin went and spent the day and evening visiting Grandma and Grandpa B in Tooele. I was glad he got to spend that time with them! 

The nice thing about being in Utah is that your large family of 6 kids does not stand out. 

I love that even Kiersten joins in on the fun even if most things were meant for younger kids.

Poor Grant looked like an abused child!  But for just getting 11 stitches an hour before coming here, HE. DID. AWESOME!

Look at what a fun teenager I have!

Kiersten is the best!

Silvio was a great sport as well and was so good to play with the kids doing kid things!

Man be got blessed when he got him as an exchange student!

Ella really enjoyed the toddler water area!!!

These boys might or might not have rigged this water area to squirt out at people....hahaha!

I just sat and watched and pretended that they weren't my kids!  It was pretty funny!

We love the grocery store area at this museum.

Both teenagers even got involved!

I can not imagine a more playful exchange student.  Silvio really embraced having such young siblings!  We sure love him!

I love this girl of mine!

Ella was a big fan of the grocery carts and yanking pretend food off the shelves!

Silvio was so cute and even paid Grant in real cash for the groceries.  Mr. Grant was loving it!

I love this picture!  Silvio is arguing with Grant about these food items.

Grant's expression is priceless.........he's like, are you speaking in English? Cause I have no idea what you're talking about!  Hahahaha!

These two share a special bond for sure!  Silvio adores Grant!

Mr.  Grant had a fun time even if his head and face hurt.  The one area that needed a stitch but didn't get one kept bleeding all day.  Believe me when I say I was getting lots of crazy looks because Grant would come find me and have blood running down his face.  So I would just wipe it off and send him on his way.  I had so many people asking me if he got hurt while he was playing here.  

I love being a mom!

It's not an easy job by any means but I am grateful I get to stay home with my babies!

Hunter was such a character building me different sandwiches!

This kids makes me smile all the time!  He is like talking with an old friend........I love our conversations!

Even though it was snowing a little the kids had to visit the helicopter outside!

They all pretended like Grant had been in an accident since his head is all banged up!

Silvio and Hunter were great weather men!

Hahaha....it was fun to watch them in action!

This little area had air blowing through it, so Silvio thought Ella should try it out!

He truly is a big brother!

We enjoyed our day at the children's museum and I was grateful Justin was able to go have some personal time with his grandparents.  That time to him was priceless!