Santa and Our Elf "Sugaray"

It will be a sad day when my kiddo's no longer believe. Tanner has questioned a few things this year, and even a few kids have told him that Santa is not real, but he is still hanging on. He said a kid at school said he didn't believe in Santa, I asked him what he thinks about that and what he said to him and he said "If you don't believe you don't receive!" I had told him that a long time ago and he remembered. He has asked why all santa's don't look alike and I say he is a busy guy and has lots of helpers and we can even be helpers to those who are in need. I feel bad, kind of like I am lying to them, but really I guess I am just trying to keep the excitement of Christmas and believing alive. Last year our good friends gave us "An Elf on a Shelf," we named him Sugaray, and it has been fun last year and this year to see the kids wake up to find the elf; as the elf moves each night from his visits to Santa then back to watch. On Christmas eve I took a picture of the kids with our elf and they said goodbye as he would go and live with Santa until next year when he shows up again to see if the kids are being naughty or nice.

Until next year Santa & Our Sugaray!!

Christmas Activities with the Rays

Excited to see Lily Open her Present

Loves to play with cousin Lily

Mike & Ty

Loves holding Lily

Lily Lookin' Cute

Grandma Ray & the Kiddos

Christmas was a little crazy this year with it being on Sunday but I enjoyed it a lot, we made it work and had a GREAT time with Family and enjoying all the fun things we did! With the Rays we did quite a bit while Ty and Mike were in town we started with Ty's Birthday Celebration on Thursday going to dinner at the Sizzler then back to the Foit's for Cheesecake. Friday we got together and ate soup and hung out, they went to Temple Square earlier, but since Jason & I went skiing we just met up for the dinner & hangin' out. Saturday we did our traditional Christmas Eve Dinner this year we had it at our house and did a Taco Bar, but still did the yummy Fondu. Dad Ray did a spiritual program and we played catch phrase for a while too. Christmas we went to the Foit's as soon as we could after church for a quick gift exchange. The next week we had our Crazy Bingo Game with pizza the night before Ty and Mike headed home.

Pineview Ice Skating

Me and my KIDDO's

The train, didn't work like we thought it would! The sled was a hit

Navi & Brylee (Everyone says they look alike-What do you think?)****Tanner is quite the skater

Spencers Fam**************Lily & Brylee-Buds

All bundled up warm for the cold!!1

Spencer's Family, Tyler, Curt, Eric's Family, Nelson's Family, & me and the kids went up to Pineview for some ice skating. We had a blast and finally got used to the whale noises. The ice was so clear you could see right through, it was at least 5 inches thick and according to Spencer a car can drive on it if it is that thick, so we were safe. It was a lot of fun, and so much fun we did it again on new years, but it was dark a little colder but not a problem with Curt we had a fire, heater and all. Stay tuned for those pictures!

Let it Snow!!

The View, Need more SNOW!!!!

Lunch Break & Warming up!!

Nice Smile!! On the Gondola!

All ready and excited to hit the slopes!!

Aren't we just cute!!!

We had a 2 for 1 coupon that had to be used before Christmas, so we waited until the last minute to use it of course since the snow wasn't that great. Snowbird makes snow thank goodness, but more snow would have been nice. They said they have I think 5 feet more snow usually by this time of year and a lot of the areas were not even open yet. We both hit a few rocks, but it was still a fun day. We left the kids with my parents and headed to the slopes. I think I am getting old, because when we were younger we didn't care what snow conditions the resorts had we always wanted to go. Now I like nice weather and lots of snow, even better if it had snowed the night before with a sunny ski day. After skiing we rushed home and got ready to meet up for a gathering with the Rays since Ty was in town for the holidays.

Kanesville Sing-A-Long

Emma and Ashley, two of Tanners Friends

Tanner looking all shy! His friend Cutler in front of him

Tanner walking in looking cute!!


This was the first year I was able to go to Kanesville Elementary Sing-A-Long and it was GREAT!!! Each grade performs a song they had been practicing and in between the performances they have songs that everyone sings together. Second Grade did the song from Polar Express, I am not sure the name of it, maybe "The best time of the year!" I must say the 12 days of Christmas was the one I just laughed the entire time, each grade starts the first grade has the first day and the second grade takes the second day of Christmas and so forth, in a round, and each grade gets louder and louder to see who can be the loudest, it was great fun!! I will look forward to going again next year!!

Creative Chaos!!

Tanner & Brylee are obsessed with Navi, I think Crew had the most fun!!

Max's Masterpiece***Laura finally done after Brylee's***Isabel with Navi

Lily & Brylee WAY too many sprinkles, but who cares!!

Passion, Asher, & Crew I think we call it a sugar high!

Brinley will be better then me soon****Grandma Great gave us all a $2 Bill

Tanner and his cute smile******Navi getting a little into it too!!

Lots of Crazy FUN!!

Chandler deep in thought*** Spencer got in on the action

Brylee & Navi*****************Crew was the winner for the # of cookies decorated

It was a hit!!! I took way too many pictures, I made way too many sugar cookies and way too much frosting and the kids had way too much fun with all the candy decorations/sprinkles that Grandma bought!!! I call it a successful, creative, chaotic, fun evening with family during the holidays!! I think we may do it again next year, or even better yet Valentines Day!!! Laura brought stuff for survival bracelets too, and the kids love them.