On the Way Home

The end of our Idaho trip was less than ideal--quite a bit of drama & tears.

And it wasn't from the kids.

We weren't in the most spiritual of moods when we got to Temple Square.

 How can this not take your breath away, though?

Love this temple.

 The tabernacle never ceases to amaze me.

Still trying to convince the kids that this is where I sang in General Conference.

{True story!  Check out April General Conference 1996}

The camera can't do justice to all the awe-inspiring sparkle!

Just What I Always Wanted!

Christmas Morning @ Grandma & Grandpa Roos' house

American Girl Doll 

A remote control Jeep- just like Dad's!

Santa also brought the whole family tennis rackets- our new hobby :)

Christmas Eve 2010

A few highlights from our family party...

Impromptu dance performances-Waka Waka

Opening family gifts

Christmas Carols

The Nativity Play-complete with costumes, of course!

 Grandpa Terrell, the shepherd, and Whispurr, the sheep

 Beautiful girls-GramZ and cousin Jaclyn

Three wise guys- Grandpa Terrell, Alexander, & Grandpa Bob

Merry Christmas!

We love the warmth and peace of this season, especially this year, when we were able to spend it focusing on our family and our Savior.

Can't Get Enough...

Snow!!!

These poor California kids are so snow deprived, they wanted to be outside nearly every minute we were in Idaho.

We are sorely lacking in the winter clothing department!

 Occasionally their cousins would humor them and head outside in the frigid weather to build a fort or to go sledding.

Madelyn and Xander showing their awesome fort!

Miss Abby  

Miss Catelyn

Cousins!

The Roos nieces and nephews gift exchange...

Flying wrapping paper, squeals of delight, tears from overstimulation & overtiredness.

Let the toy-fest begin!

Mountain River Ranch

My family treated us
{and it was such a treat!}
to a sleigh ride up to the Mountain River Ranch.

 We California folk didn't have appropriate winter gear for such an excursion, so our families all pitched in and let us borrow their winter attire.
{I loved my Grandma's stylin' zebra fur hat}
It was c-o-l-d!
While we waited for our horse-drawn sleigh to arrive, we hung out in the lodge, sipping hot apple cider and playing "I'm going to Grandma's house."
The trip up through the ranch was so fun--we all sang Christmas carols, snuggled under blankets, looked at the lights, all to the gentle sound of sleigh bells.
At the ranch, we ate the most delicious meal I've EVER tasted, listened to great live music, laughed and sang along with the program.

My parents, grandparents, and our little family.
We absolutely loved this fun night making memories with our family!

Snow Day

Our California kids were sooo excited to play in the snow!
The cousins, who are used to living in snow half the year...not so much.

They were good sports, however, and all had fun building snow forts, sledding, and having snowball fights.
{My fave is the pic where Xander is pulling apple-eating Courtney around on the sled.  Is she a princess, or what?!?}

 Courtney was such a trooper and pulled her own sled up the hill countless times!

 Josh, Darren's brother, tried snowboarding on two plastic chair pads--he actually did pretty well!

One of the scariest moments of my life.

Cami agreed to go down the hill with me.

It wasn't pretty.

There was lots of screaming involved.

Leo's Place

Another tradition the Roos family has is to play and eat at this greasy place.

The boys love to play laser tag, while the girls play on the jungle gym.

 SANTA!!!

I know him!

 Miss Maddy

Miss Caty

Roos Family Gift Exchange

The Tradition:
Darren's cousins meet in the Roos' basement each year for a white elephant gift exchange.
This is the first time in years that we've been able to go.

The kids had a wonderful time with their cousins!
It's amazing how much everyone has grown.

With the Santa hat on, Alexander played Santa and everyone

{including Darren}

wanted to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Chriistmas.

This little cutie is Miss Alyssa. 

The party wouldn't be complete without Grandma Roos' delicious sugar cookies!
Seriously, they are amazing.

Waka Waka

Courtney was invited to perform the Shakira "Waka Waka" dance for the school talent show.

If you watch the YouTube video, just to warn you--it's highly addictive!

 Miss Courtney with one of her "BFFs"

She HAD to have Shakira hair, of course.

 Waiting in the green room with Cassidy.

On stage!

The song and dance were written for the 2010 Soccer World Cup
(thus the soccer uniforms).

O Christmas Tree

This poor tree has been with us from the beginning, and has followed us literally from coast to coast.
Nostalgia, memories, and endless pine needles to clean up for a month...

Our little Santa Man
We really need to figure out the settings on our camera!

Can you hear the crackling fire & Bing Crosby?

Darren frequently makes fun of me asking the kids to pose for pictures.
Yes.
Yes, I would absolutely ask someone to pose like this for a picture.
Whatever.

Scout History in the Making

Alexander attended his first Court of Honor & met a celebrity.

This kid in our Stake has earned EVERY single merit badge known to man--no joke!

Even the centennial ones.

What a neat kid & such a great example!

{Did I mention he's home schooled?}

Nativity Night

The Orange Stake holds an amazing celebration about the birth and life of Jesus Christ.

The entire church house is decorated with nativities, Christmas trees, and beautiful decorations from around the world.

The air is filled with heavenly music as live choirs perform from the chapel.

The event is family-friendly as well, as they have activities and dress-ups for the children to enjoy as well {my camera battery died after just a few shots}

We had the most wonderful experience here.

One of the rooms was draped in white, and as we entered, we were asked to speak only in whispers.

There was quiet music playing, and as we walked through the room, it was as if we were walking in the footsteps of the Savior.

Exquisite framed pictures and scriptures chronicled the life of the Savior, beginning with His birth, His childhood, His ministry, His atonement, death, and glorious resurrection.

The Spirit was in abundance, testifying of the divinity of Jesus Christ.

Beautiful way to begin the holiday season.