Jaime & Nate: Christmas 2011

Christmas this year was very relaxing and so much fun to spend time together as a family. I think Preston was so sad when he realized Daddy wouldn't be around as often after Nate went back to work. He's such a Daddy's boy. Whenever Nate is around no one else can help him do anything. Forget changing his clothes, forget getting him out of the car, forget wiping him off after a meal or getting him a drink of water - everything he wants done by Daddy. So - I had lots of time to read and do other things. I am definitely not complaining but at times it can be a little frustrating. We had nearly two weeks together in Utah spending time with Nate's family. We had some fun times. Below is just a splattering of things we did and fun memories to remember.

A twelve and a half hour car ride to Utah where Preston only slept 30 minutes. Who is this kid that never sleeps?
Attending Ogden's Christmas Village to see all the little elf houses. It was a super cold night!
Playing games with the family including Bang, Hearts and Farkle. We also spent a lot of time playing Words with Friends with each other. We each had a game going with every other family member.
Playing Xbox 360 Kinect. Annette was the master at darts. We had some good laughs, especially playing football. It was fun to see the video playback after each sport to see just how silly (or coordinated) you looked.
Decorating gingerbread houses. Preston spent more time eating the candies, especially the marshmallows, than he did decorating. He loved putting sprinkles on and sprinkled the floor in the process. He quickly learned to scamper up onto the bar stools when no one was looking to get a few candies off before he was stopped.
Sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn and leaving cookies out for Santa.
Preston loved helping in the kitchen. He enjoyed helping Grandma make gingerbread men, licking off beaters, and simply being in the action.
Making orange rolls. I think we finally found a good recipe. They were so delicious!
Lots of shopping! Last minute Christmas gifts and car shopping for Maren, which Nate always enjoys.
Dinner with the Larsen family
Opening presents was so fun with Preston. As he saw each new gift he wanted it "out" so he could play with it immediately. Getting through the presents is a lot longer process this way but he loved it.
Meeting cousin Ashley, Cameron and baby Logan for lunch one afternoon. It was so fun to catch up.
Zupas! Yum.
Going down to Spanish Fork/Payson for haircuts, to visit the Hughes family, see Megan and meet her new husband Tyler, and to stop by Grandma and Grandpa Weed's grave site.
Pheasant hunting. Nate had so much fun and has since been saying he needs a gun. They shot 9 of the 12 planted birds.
Christmas evening we opened some remote control cars. We had 6 cars and only 2 frequencies. The cars were going crazy and it was so funny. Preston had no clue what was going on but loved it all the same.
Brotherly bonding time. One of Nate's favorite things is to sit in the hot tub with his Dad and brother and just chat. He had a good 2 hour chat one night with his brother.
Sledding in the scarce snow. The weather in Utah was beautiful and mild but not conducive to Winter sports and activities. Preston went out for a walk with Grandpa and Daddy and found a tiny bit of snow to sled in. He had so much fun.
Attending the temple and then also being able to go to a sealing for a distant family member.
Going to Uncle Robert and Aunt Patti's house to meet Jack, the donkey, and Bernie, the dog. Preston received a little toy pull-along dog from them for Christmas that he absolutely loves and has now named Bernie.
Christmas with (Great) Grandma and Grandpa DeFries. We celebrated the Monday after Christmas.
New Years Eve shake run to Jake's Over the Top - and over the top it was. Those shakes are huge.
Attending Weber State's basketball game against Utah. Preston was thoroughly entertained the entire time with all the action in the stadium.

and after all that - we have very few pictures! I seriously need to get a bit better.

Uncle Eric is so worried Preston will become a Warriors fan so he wanted to get him started on the right foot. A Jazz jersey for Christmas. Preston had to put it right on.