Christmas

Our Christmas was much more drawn out this year than in years past. I was finished with school in early December and so we had several weeks to spend time together. It snowed a lot in the first part of December and so we were able to do some things outside like sledding and building things in the snow. Shad helped with his first snowman and we also built a snow house. Shad loved playing in the snow just like Solo.

Shad also was very excited for Santa and Christmas this year. It was the perfect age because he was excited about everything and didn't have any expectations. He saw Santa at the Ward Christmas party and saw him at the mall a few times. He also loved the Grinch. He asked us to read the story to him at least daily and sometimes a couple of times a day. He also watched the Grinch movies several times throughout December (the new one and the old one). Since we were going to be out of town for Christmas day, we did Christmas at our house on Wednesday, December 22nd. Santa even came early for us. It was a fun morning and Santa did a good job of getting presents for everyone. Shad was really excited and we went and saw the Muppets movie as a family later that day.

On Thursday we left for Utah. Shad did surprisingly well and we made the entire trip in just under 8 hours. We only stopped twice, once to get gas and once to get a ticket. We stayed in Utah for a week and had plenty to do while there. We spent time with friends and family and Shad was able to have fun hanging out with lots of kids. We stayed at John and Myndi's house which meant that Shad was able to play with/harass Zoee, Zayden, and Zaylie everyday. They were nice to let him have free reign of their house and toys. Shad also had a sleep over at the Snarr's and had a really good time. Santa showed up to the family Christmas party on Christmas Eve and Shad was able to sit on his lap. Shad loved it! He also got a present at the Christmas Eve party that may have been his favorite present of all, a remote control helicopter. To say it was dangerous when Shad was playing with the helicopter is an understatement! Shad also got lots of presents from his extended family and was pretty well spoiled. Shad did pretty well on the trip back to Arizona but was close to having a break down right when we were pulling into Flagstaff. Overall it was a very good trip and Shad seemed to have a really good time!