This Christmas Season we headed to the Sacramento area to join in on the Haymore Christmas Party that is thrown every year the Saturday before Christmas. I've never been to one so I looked forward to be in on their traditions but also more importantly, be with Family. I'm so blessed marrying into this amazing family.
Matt took more time off so we can be up there longer and it made it so nice because we didn't drive all night which causes us to be tired and turn around 2 days later and do the same. This time we were able to break up the trip by stopping off in Vegas to get a great night sleep and get in at a decent time. In Vegas we got to see Aunt Mary and Uncle Ron. We miss seeing them so it was an added bonus.
Alex was in heaven being with his Papa. Alex was his shadow this entire trip.
Alex also loved being with Aunt Laura.
Laura wanted more kisses but he said no!
He gave in eventually :).
Our first stop in California was visiting Grandpa Thompson. We stayed there for two days. While there, we visited the State Park Railtown in Jamestown.
This park has preserved much of the Sierra Railway and it houses famous trains in different movies like this one:
If you can't guess where you've seen it, its the train that's on Back to the Future Part III. We got to take the Self Tour instead of having a Guided Tour. I think it was better because we got to go on the train. I don't think we can do that on the Guided Tour :). 
Other movies filmed here are: Petticoat Junction, The Wild, Wild West, High Noon, The Virginian, and Unforgiven.
Here are other fun photos from the Park.
Grandpa Thompson told us we needed to visit a street that had a train that went around the neighborhood driven by Rudolph, carrying Santa. There was also a live Santa that the boys got to talk too. The boys loved it and Matt and I thought it was really cool! It was hard to capture how cool it was on camera. Sorry for the bad pictures.
Laura had her 26th birthday there. We celebrated as a family before the trip but we still did some celebrating the day of. I went shopping with her in the morning and we all went to lunch together. Alex loved the slurpees! If he's happy, we're all happy!
Before the Christmas Party we had a little scare. Grandpa Thompson is ok but he decided it was time to get a new car so he ran his 18 year old car into the back of a semi ;). He's now a proud new owner of 2012 Honda Civic. 
The Christmas party was so much fun! It started at noon and lasted till late in the evening. There was a lot of food and we had so much fun visiting and playing games. Santa even came to visit!
Evan saying it's his turn to sit on Santa's lap. He asked for a truck again.
Alex of course. I'm hoping he will like to sit on Santa's lap next year.
All the Women got to sit on his lap too. There was some fun wants like new cars, TV's and a diamond ring. I asked for Slippers :). I really want them!
Evan had fun playing with his Cousin Erin who we stayed with the remaining time. He constantly asks to play with her. We enjoyed spending our time with Uncle Ethan, Aunt Becky and their other kids. We always look forward to staying with them. Even though we got to stay longer, it still was too short. Family is the greatest!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Out on the Open Road!
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
ESG Christmas Party 2011
ESG had their Christmas party at Fat Cats again because it was a huge hit last year. We brought Laura along for the fun, because Matt had to leave early for church meetings. 
They had contests to win prizes. Alex won a $10 gift card to Cold Stones for bowling the first strike in his age group that was 0-6 years old. He basically bowled it right after they announced it. 
Santa came to visit!
Evan was excited to see him and he asked for a truck.
Alex wasn't too thrilled to sit on his lap.
The boys had a blast! We love that ESG centers around families so the boys can be involved in the activities they have. 
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Savior of the World
Our Stake put on the First Act of Savior of the World that's written by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The first act depicts the events that lead to our Saviors Birth. 
Being part of this wonderful production was a huge blessing to me and I really appreciate Matt, Laura and my Father In-Law for stepping in and helping with the boys so I could. It really set the tone for this Christmas Season. I was worried I wouldn't feel the Christmas Spirit because the Anniversary of Mom's passing is drawing near. I also loved that I got to do this with my great friends from the ward and make new friends from the Stake.
I was an Angel or a towns person. 
Here is a clip of the scene "There Are Rules"
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Many Wonders of Utah
Hot Pots!!
For those that follow our Blog regularly, you will know that we visit the Fifth Water Hot Springs up Diamond Fork Canyon at least once a year but this year has been different. I personally been up there a handful of times but Matt has been up there more often for exercise. It's beautiful up there and we found more springs then the usual one we go too.
This one is the first one you can go to but as far as we know, no one knows about it because it's above the trail and is hidden by a big dead cedar tree. It's in the shape of a heart and it's just big enough for two. The temperature is cooler then luke warm.
These two are the first ones you see as you hike. The top pool is warm and the bottom is cooler then luke warm like the heart shaped pool.
The pool in this picture is to the right and it's the biggest of them all. It's a shallow pool but one of the warmest.
This pool is one of the most visited because of this waterfall just a few feet from it.
To the right of the falls is a very small pool that is extremely hot. The very cold water from the falls mixes with the very hot water to make it tolerable in one small area. There's also a little cave behind the falls.
These two pools are our favorites and not many people know about these. These are above the falls and a little ways down and across the river. Whoever designed these did an excellent job because you can control the temp of the water to how hot or cool you want it. There's a bench to sit on and hooks to hang your bags. It looks like someones back patio.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend we looked up other Hot Springs in Utah that are near by. After our Thanksgiving meal we drove towards Ogden to look for the springs just off of the road in Ogden Canyon. There's a total of three pools.
We also visited The Meadows Hot Springs south of Fillmore. The three pools that are there are on private property but the owner allows the public to use them.
This one is my favorite because it's the warmest one and just look at the colors! It's also very deep. People can scuba dive in the black hole. I love the rope in the middle of it.
This is another that has a bigger open area that's deep on one end and shallow on the other like a swimming pool. 
The third pool is as big as a pond but the coldest one so a lot of plant life grows in it. Not one I would swim in.
Anyone that wants to go to these fun places let us know! We are always up for an excuse to go.
