Christmas 2011

We love Christmas! Carriage rides, hot cocoa, gingerbread houses, pajamas, elves, and more memories made with loved ones. I am so grateful for our wonderful blessings. We got to enjoy some great time celebrating Christmas this year. I hope my kids are able to realize how blessed they are not only to have a nice home, clothes, food, and gifts under the tree but to have a knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is the best time of year hands down

Impromptu trip to Tennessee

What do you get kids who have way too much stuff and a mom who is stressing about how to entertain 4 kids for a week for Christmas? A trip to see family! Dave and I decided that some of our Christmas budget would be better spent on Christmas memories rather than Christmas gifts so we suprised our kids the week before Christmas with a trip to Tennessee to see their cousins. This trip was a lot of time on the road since my brother Kevin moved to Eastern Tennesse and we made far too many wrong turns but when the cousins got together it was well worth it.

The kids spent a ton of time, playing, fighting, fighting, playing. We had several rainy days and a lot time inside made for some cranky kiddos. That's what family is all about right?

We really enjoyed our time in Eastern Tennesse, the weather was perfect and that part of the country is beautiful. My brother took us to a park near them that is inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia...one of the coolest parks I have been to.

It was so nice to be around my brothers, play games all night, watch the kids play, and catch up on so much. I couldn't think of anything better for Christmas than that time with my brothers that I miss so much.

Oh Canada......and 8 states along the way.

Roadtrip!!!

We had been siking ourselves up for this trip for a long time. Canada is a long way away from Texas, especially with 4 small kids in the car. I can honestly say we had some adventures along the way.

Tatum had no trouble entertaining herself, thus the body artwork done in the early stages of our trip.

Our car broke down in Colorado adding a little extra relaxation to our trip since we were stuck in a hotel with no car to get us around.

We stopped in Utah for a few days visiting good friends and showing our kids our roots at temple square.

Picnicing in Wyoming

Family Reunion in British Columbia, Canada

We finally arrived in Canada-first to Calgary and then another 6 hour drive to our cabin on Shuswap Lake, British Columbia. HEAVEN, even if we are sharing a cabin with almost 50 other family members. Its all about spending time together right?!

Addyson with her cousin Kayla

That is some seriously cold water....seriously!!!

Ethan exploring nature with dragonflies.

Margaret Falls, supposedly you are supposed to be able to walk behind the falls but as you can see that was not the case. But Dave had to try it of course while I bit my nails and freaked out a little.

The kids were prepared to swim in the pool under the waterfall......um sorry kids, that aint happening. It was a great hike and so pretty though.

It looked like a good tree to climb I guess.

Lee Family Talent Show

No Lee family reunion is complete without our Lee Family talent show. Here are just a few our family's talents:

Paige is Justin Bieber's biggest fan and should really get a spot as his backup dancer, she has some pretty sweet moves, not to mention her sidekick Tatum is possibly the cutest backup dancer I have ever seen.

Addyson also did a little Justin Bieber number with her cousins Kayla and McKenna. There was even some rapping thrown into it.

Ethan showing off the stuff he has learned in Karate.

Dave couldn't let the young kids outdance him.

We had a great week at the cabin and enjoyed our time spent with family. The kids don't get to see their cousins in Canada so we were so happy to give them the opportunity to get to know them a little better.

Oregon

On our way home we figured what the heck Oregon is just south of British Columbia lets pay my brother and his family a visit especially since my Dad was visiting at the same time. We miss living in Oregon for sure. Visiting in the summer is hard because it is so perfect but I had to keep reminding myself that the weather is not that nice most of the time and we do really like Texas, just for different reasons. It was so nice to be outside and not dying of heat exhaustion. We took the kids for a hike through the greenest trails they have ever seen.

The kids with Grandpa Peterson.

Family is the best!

It was really hard to leave Oregon and get back to the road but we were excited to sleep in our beds and get back to our schedules. The ride home was rough with everyone getting sick, me getting a kidney stone, and taking the long route home but we made it alive. So many adventures, we would do it again in a heartbeat!