Let's Go Buffalo!

It only takes once to become a tradition.  So when Phil and his dad started talking about going to Boise to the Potato Bowl again like they did a few years ago, Jacob started prepping Benjamin on exactly what they do.  Where they eat, where they sleep and how much fun they were going to have!!  They were initially disappointed in the choice of teams for the Bowl, but became instant Buffalo fans and ended up in the midst of the blue!!  They had a great time and are talking about next time already.  Thanks to grandpa and dad for a wonderful tradition!!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Micah and I had a great time.  We went to a movie, a baptism and ran lots of Christmas errands.  It was fun to have my "baby" back for a day. And he was a delight to hang out with.

We even had a Spanky's Subs for dinner and a sleepover.  Thanks Micah for a great weekend!!

Gingerbread and other holiday traditions

I never get great pictures of one of our favorite traditions.  We did gingerbread early this year and it is a good thing because life gets crazy.  We had some very creative homes this year, as always.  The boys did a great job by themselves too.  Always a wonderfully "sweet" night!

Both Phil and I were able to participate in our Stake's Prelude to Christmas this year.  It is always one of my favorite things to do at Christmas time, to sing beautiful songs about our Savior.  This year Phil played his guitar to one the songs: "What Strangers Are These?" and it was absolutely beautiful.  He is such a talented and amazing man that adds much to everything he is involved in.  I'm so lucky to be married to such a guy!

Here are some mediocre pictures I took at Phil's family Christmas Party.  We had a nice program with a lot of involvement and it was fun to get together before Christmas. 



Run Santa, Run!

We got to run a few 5K's this holiday season.  The first was a "Santa Run" at the Gateway in Salt Lake on November 23rd.  Dress up like Santas?  Candy Canes and Cookies at the aid stations? Sign us up!  We got to hang out with some of our favorite other Santa's too.  It was a fun day!

 We donned our Santa suits again on Thanksgiving and ran another race in Idaho Falls with Phil's family.  Our costumes won us a pumpkin pie and amazingly the times we finished in were about the same without the cookie stops...which goes to show, you might as well stop for cookies!

Merry Christmas!

The Seasons Come, The Seasons Go...

Especially in Utah.  Snow and pumpkins is a pretty common sight in the fall. 

I loved Micah's Snow/Leaf Man!

 And the snowman snowball fight with Ben's snowman.  We can all see who the winner was!

But Ben's snowman got the last laugh!!



Halloween

I know, I know.  It's December!!  In order to print our blog for 2013, I've got some catching up to do!!

Halloween was a bit different this year.  We had a busy Jacob who quickly carved his pumpkin before running off to scouts and who was too old (according to his mother) to trick or treat...It's crazy having them grow up, but it brings lots of fun things as well.  The boys did most of their pumpkins on their own this year.

We had a stealthy ninja,

an adorable raccoon,

and this clown showed up out of nowhere. (Apparently no one told her she was too old...I was just noticing how ironic that was!)

We live in a great neighborhood.  It's always a lot of fun to be out and about amongst friends.

Back to Costa Rica (by Phil)

 A few years ago, I would have never imagined that I'd be making my 4th trip to Central America and my 3rd trip to Costa Rica 

 

I was there to support a course put on by the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO)

 

I love their honest attempts at spelling my name!

 

The Medaglia Sisters (Karla and Mariamalia)

I met the sisters a few years ago, and they've found a few excuses to bring me back

 

Faculty for the course (Jules Becher, Holland; Maria Gallardo, Costa Rica; Tom Gort, Holland, Me, Utah)

 

The few days I was there were quite busy...but I did have several nice views:

From my morning walk...

 

 

 Costa Rican playground...loved it! 

 

The view from the restaurant on Friday night, overlooking San Jose

 

Food was great! 

 

 

...as was the dancing...

 

and the music

 

being recognized as a speaker with Karla 

 

breathing a sigh of relief at the end of the course with Tom and Mariamalia

a cute picture of two of our hosts in Costa Rica, Ivan and Karla

 

Can't wait for another excuse to go back!