Las Vegas Stratosphere

We had some good friends from Tucson come and visit us this week. They drove up to visit and to see the BYU/Arizona bowl game. It was great to see them, especially for the girls. We kept it a surprise, so when they knocked on the door, Madison FREAKED OUT!!! It was a great surprise. While they were there, the girls went to a childrens museum and then went up in the Stratosphere. It is a huge tower at the end of the strip that overlooks the entire city. It is quite the view, with a restaurant at the top along with some amusement rides for those crazy enough to hang out the top of a huge skyscraper on a roller coaster. Anyway, here is a shot of them overlooking the city.

All I want for Christmas...

Gabs has had her front tooth loose for about a year now. That little bugger just didn't want to come out. Finally, it started getting to the point where enough work was expended to convince it otherwise. Of course, she had a little help from dad (by accident). She was wearing a winter mask that went up over her head (like a hat with a hole cut out for the face that covers the whole head and neck). I was playing with her and went to pull it off her head. The opening of the face hole somehow hooked on her tooth and, POP, out it came. She was in shock for a minute, but it didn't hurt and then she realized what had happened. She was so excited to finally have it out. Even with it gone, she has still been reaching up to wiggle it until she feels the hole and remembers she has the dental casualty.

LET IT SNOW

Well, Summerlin just got a blizzard of a snowstorm. It probably put a good five to six inches of perfect snowman-making snow on the ground. We couldn't pass up getting a sled at Costco and going up to the local park to leave our mark. The place was PACKED. I've never seen so many kids so excited to play in snow. You have to take advantage of it quick around here. The girls had a blast sledding down the hill while a thousand snowmen and forts sprang up out of the giving park. We had an absolute blast. When it got too dark to continue, we went home and built our own in the backyard. Gabs ran for the tub to warm up while Madison and I built this beauty. Sadly, it is already knocked over with most of the snow melted, just one day later :(

SKI UTAH

I just got back from having a great time skiing in Utah. Best of all, it's free. Unbelievably, if you fly into Utah and show the ticket to Park City, Deer Valley, or the Canyons, they will let you ski for free (same day only). I couldn't believe it, but it acutally works. I flew in on the early morning flight and my sister, Lou, picked me up at the airport. We were on the slopes in no time. We had a blast skiing all day. Then she dropped me off at the airport and I made it home for dinner. I have the feeling I will be taking advantage of that sweet deal a lot more often :). The snow wasn't all that great, but it was still a blast. I can't wait to go again.

Family Party

Here are a bunch of pictures from our family Christmas party. I flew back to Utah with Madison and Gabrielle and spent a few days with family. Heather stayed home and enjoyed a well-deserved break while she relaxed and let the baby cook a little longer (not much time left). You can see a sample of the fun we had at the party. We had a glorious feast, dressed up and acted out the nativity story, made candy houses, played games and just had a great time. We love being so close to family and having the chance to do things like this when we can. The girls loved playing with cousins as well. Another special treat was looking at some of Grandpa's mineral collection under the microscope. Madison and Gabrielle were amazed at the beauty of the chrystals.