Kirtland...

Because we live so close to Kirtland we took the opportunity to visit again with my in-laws. We stopped first at our Churches visitor center where we watched a video on Kirtland. I have so much appreciation for the early saints and their sacrifices and I am ever grateful for the time that we live and the conveniences we enjoy today. My testimony of Joseph Smith grew and my gratitude for being a member of Jesus' true church was strengthened. We took a tour of the Newel K. Whitney store and got to feel of the sweet spirit that was there.

School of the Prophets.

Brooklyn loved touching the wool

Ethan and Brooklyn loved running back and forth looking out the windows.

I always enjoy listening to how the people lived back then. Things as simple as how mail was delivered or how their shoes were made are so different from today.

In the red school house there was an international display of Nativity sets from all over the world. They were very unique and beautiful at the same time. It affirms to me that we, as a people, all over the world, believe that Jesus was born in a lowly stable and that he is indeed the Christ and worthy of our love and attention. So beautiful!

I enjoyed this one from Japan. It was made from recycled newspaper that was rolled up.

This one from Kenya was made from dried bark. Very neat.

We visited the cemetery that is located next to the Kirtland Temple. We also toured the Temple again.

Hotel fun!

The day after Christmas we went to Cleveland. We stayed in a hotel and daddy and Grandpa took the boys swimming. We went to Bob Evans for dinner and then after the kids were all snuggled in their beds we played the Settlers of Catan again and then hit the hay ready to explore Kirtland a little more. The boys got to sleep in Grandpa and Grandma's room and thoroughly enjoyed that!

Here are some fun pictures from the hotel. The next morning Grandma and I took the kids swimming--no men, thank you! Though there are no pictures to prove that one!

A must when we got to a hotel; playing on the luggage rack. This was the first time Brooklyn got to participate and I'd say she enjoyed the adventure!

Our monkey boys!

Brooklyn looked so cute in her bathing suit. Here she is headed off to got swimming with dolly in hand. She looked back to see why I wasn't right behind her. Too cute!

At first she wasn't too excited about swimming. Usually she loves water but she was really tired but eventually found her groove and enjoyed herself!

Fun with Grandma Hansen! She is saying "Cheeeeezzzeee"

Cannon ball!

Briggs swimming all by himself!

Too cute!

My water babies!

Christmas Morn...

The kids woke up a little before 7. We began our morning with prayer in the boys room and then went downstairs and then the kids got to open their gifts from Santa; the boys got light sabers and transformers. Brooklyn got shoes, 3 bracelets, some belts and a my little pony. They opened their other gifts and enjoyed playing with them all day long.

Brooklyn loved eating the Snickers Bars. The girl is a magnet to candy! If you look closely you can see her bracelets on and of course her shoes. Later she brought me her purple belt to put on! I didn't teach her to accessorize; it just come naturally to a little girl I think! Silly girl!

Grandma and Grandpa blowing up Ethan's swords. I love Ethan's outfit!

I love this one of Brooklyn. Too cute! She loved the doll that she got from my parents! She is so instinctively motherly rocking her and feeding her a bottle and covering her with a blanket; it must be a girl thing!

All boy!! Darth "Gader" (as Briggs puts it), here we come!!

Looking at my printed off Blog book. The kids loved that!

It was really a fun and relaxing day. We had a nice ham and potato lunch/dinner and just hung out and ate treats all day long! We played memory with the kids and the Settlers of Catan with Carl and Judy after the kids went to bed (love that game!!)

Christmas Eve

We have been so privileged to have Cory's parents here for Christmas this year!

On Christmas eve the kids made Rice Krispie treats for Santa and Grandma helped them cut out Christmas shapes. The kids could hardly wait to see if Santa ate all of them the next morning. Briggs was thrilled to see that indeed Santa did eat them all and he even left on half-eaten one on the plate.

We had a nice dinner of Chicken Cordon Bleu with green beans, Lion House Rolls and sparkling cider. Yum!!

Then we did our annual Christmas Program and we were able to skype with Ben and Jodi's family! It was really fun. Their kids did the Alvin and the Chipmunks with Ben and it was hilarious!! The kids loved watching them "sing." I sang jingle bells...solo....since my little Ethan got stage fright--complete with bells!! Cory did the Haka (wearing his island get-up and everything.) Briggs refused to do anything along with Grandpa ;-) and Grandma read the Christmas story and Jodi another story with a lamb and the birth of Jesus. It was really nice. Next year this Hansen family is going BIG!! We'll be ready to rival Alvin and the Chipmunks!!

The kids watching their cousins. Totally enthralled!

After our program we had chocolate fondue! Yummy!! The kids loved it!

We finished off the night watching one of our favorite movies The Family Man (the edited version) and eating Rice Krispie Treats ;-)