Speth family Christmas Party

Here are some pictures of the Speth family Christmas party. We always meet at an elementary school where the kids can run and play like crazy, which is exactly what they do ;) Max and the blue ball.

The kids on the terror ride, oh sure they look like its great fun, but they are injury traps! Okay, so they are fun, but every year at least one child gets hurt, nothing ever serious- but enough that I'm shocked the school keeps them. Pictured are Grace and her cousin Adi, my cousins daughter Taya and my niece Libby.

Below, Nayvie pulling Taya, Grace and Adi.

My favorite part of the below picture is my brother Ryan squirting whip cream in my niece Emery's mouth.

My cute cousin Jalane - who always looks perfect. ;)

My sister surprised us by driving up from California 5 days early. I had a feeling she'd be there, and I'm so glad she did, it would have been weird for her not to be there for our annual party.

Cassie and her soon to be future fiance Josh.

My brother Patch talking to my Great Grandma Edna, the poor lady just got new hearing aids in October and one of them has already stopped working. She never misses a chance to give loving counsel.

Tytan, Max's hero.

My dad and Emery, she loves Papa.

Jalane and Taya, this years terror ride victim.

I love that I got to grow up so close to most of my moms family, we missed those who couldn't be there, and it seems like each year its more and more, it's the holidays and we just get so busy, but I'm thankful for the good times!

Temple Square

Last year we missed out on Temple Square, Max had just had surgery and it seemed one of us was sick the whole month, so I made sure we got down there this year. I rode the train into Salt Lake with Grace and Max, it's something they LOVE doing, and I may be getting over my fear of public transportation (but don't ask me to take a bus somewhere!) Mike picked us up at the train station and we headed to Temple Square.

It was still light when we got there, so we decided to eat first in the Navouu Cafe in the Joseph Smith Memorial building, I highly recommend it. I had a turkey sandwich, which they carve right there, toast and then add cranberry orange relish. It was so good, and I've wanted another one ever since! The pricing wasn't too bad, Mike and I both had sandwiches, the kids both got grilled cheese, we had 1 soda, 2 chocolate milks and 2 desserts for about $30.

I love this picture of the temple, I love the lights and the beauty of the temple in the darkness.

Max all bundled up inside the JSM building.

I mentioned Grace has started liking dolls, well she had to make sure her baby stayed warm so she's bundled up with her. She got some funny looks!

I don't know why but we've never walked all the way around the grounds, probably because it's usually really cold, wet and busy, but the night we went this year was none of those things. I've never seen any of these other culture nativities, but they were fun to look at.

I'm so thankful we got to go listen to the birth of Christ, and hopefully we instilled the true meaning of Christmas in our kids.

Ice Cream kicks

Ice cream makes him move (like crazy), but makes me sick sick sick.

Frozen yogurt does nothing, but it was perfect for dinner last night. I'm pregnant so I can eat Oreo frozen yogurt with Oreo's, graham cracker pie crust, pomegranate seeds and hot fudge. In fact, I may have that for dinner again tonight.

1st Movements

I want to have this record separately, while I was typing that last post I felt little baby move for the first time! I love the happy, exciting milestones of pregnancy.

Last Wednesday I had another doctor appointment, previously the doctor had thought the baby was a girl, not 100%, but probably. At this appointment the baby looked healthy and she said it was probably a girl, she still couldn't say for sure, but 3 different times she said girl. I wasn't at all surprised because I thought it was a girl from the word go, but then the baby moved and she said lets check one more time and, then she said yep it's a girl, for sure girl. Then this little "thingy" popped up on the screen and she said, "Nope it's a boy! For sure." I sat in shock for a while- and it's still taking some time to get used to the idea. We're excited for a new little guy, just surprised!

Gingerbread Houses at Grandma & Grandpas

My Sister-in-law Beth offered to take our Christmas card photo's and make them for us, here are a few of the pictures leading up to the pictures, I wish I had a program to remove Grace's red eyes, she was actually quite the ham! Grace has NEVER played with dolls, but the last few weeks she's been spotted toting around babies, I'm assuming it has something to do with our little one on the way - but I think it's pretty cute!

Grace posing by the fireplace at Grandma Ruth's house.

Max being pretty cute, and holding still for all of 1 second!

Each year we get together with Mike's family and make gingerbread houses, Mikes' mom and sister pick out tons of candy and we have a lot of fun putting them together.

Mike put in a lot of hard man hours creating ours....

Daisy and Travis-

Grace and Caitlin's friend (just so we have the "official" record, she was there to clean up. This was about 3 days after the crazy wind storm that came through Davis county and her house still didn't have power.)

Grandma Ruth helped Max with his little Gingerbread house, he was so proud of it. Everyday he came and told me about the elf and the North Pole sign. We always love to get together for Gingerbread day!

Layton City Lights

Each year we like to go to Layton City's lights in the park - Grace enjoys it so much that even in the summer she asks to go to the lights at the park - too bad its a December thing! Grace was ready to go before it was even dark out. Max made it through the park,but that's pretty much it. He was so tired he barely made it out of the parking lot. Doesn't he look comfortable?

Grace being a goofy goober.

And then there is a sweet little side of of my sweet pea! Occasionally she'll play along and be happy!

Christmas lights are one of my favorite holiday traditions!

Breakfast with Santa

What happened to December? LOL! Too much, I'm going to try and get caught up this week, probably picture overload!

To usher in the holiday season we went to the breakfast with Santa at my work. This group of singers came and sang, it was okay but the magician last year was much more interesting. My kids were not the only ones who had a hard time staying focused for longer than a few minutes, but as as soon as Santa came in they were loving it!

This picture is showing Max with one of the prized toy catalogs he toted around for the month of December. He is the "I want it" child.

Grace is sitting on my niece Maggie's lap, the girls were really cute together. It's so fun to have close cousins!

As soon as Santa came in on the train Max ran to him. He followed him trying to get close up while Santa came to the front of the group and Max wanted so badly to talk to him - Santa was good to him and shook his hand, Max was elated!

Grace dancing with Maggie.

The kids rode the train with Santa down to the Peppermint Depot. Grace was obviously pleased.

It was a fun way to kick off the holiday season. Thanks to Grandma Kate and Aunts Cassie and Mary and the girls for joining us!