A Hyde Park Christmas

We traveled to Hyde Park on Christmas Day to experience Seth's family Christmas traditions.  We had appetizers for lunch....pigs in a blanket, shrimp, bacon wrapped water chestnuts, and two different cream cheese ball with every type of cracker you can imagine.  This was all followed by a yummy steak dinner and cheesecake for dessert.

On Monday morning we went shot gun shooting up in Richmond.  The picture below is one of my favorites.  Tawnya, Jill, and Jamie lined up.  I took a turn but couldn't hit the side of a 50 ft barn if I tried.  I also took a turn with the clay pigeon thrower and giggled every time the pigeon didn't come out.  I felt like a batter up to bat.

It was cold and every time Seth would re-load his gun you could see smoke/steam coming out of it.  I tried to get a picture but couldn't quite capture it.

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The views of Cache Valley from the shooting range were spectacular.

This picture is dedicated to my former flatmates.  I think you should both get holsters like this one.

We also went snowshoeing/cross-country skiing up Logan Canyon.  It was fun to get out and play in the snow. 

Seth decided to use his skis and regretted that decision every moment of the way up...but the way down made up for it.  He is a little spec in the picture below.  I had to run to catch up to him.

One of my favorite things is to be out in the snow.  I love how the snow silences noise.  All I could hear was the crunch of my snowshoes, my breath, and the beating of my own heart.  This was all topped off by a beautiful sunset.

On Tuesday morning, we made a trip to the Logan Temple.  It was the first time we had both done a session at the Logan Temple.

 

We checked the weather forecast after our trip to the temple and learned that it would be snowing the next three days...so we cut our trip a little short and returned to Salt Lake.  We had a blast in Hyde Park and wish we could have stayed longer. 

"Home" for the Holidays

We were lucky enough to go back to Utah over the Holidays.  We arrived on December 18th just in time to greet our newest nephew.  We were lucky enough to spend the next few days with his two older brothers while his parents were at the hospital.  I attended Primary with them and tried to convince them to take part in the Nativity...I finally convinced Max to be a sheep in exchange for a cup of hot chocolate but Benny could not be persuaded.

But this trip was not all pleasure...we also had some business to complete.  I didn't have time after we got married to change my name so it was top on my list when we returned home.  Our first stop was at the Social Security Office.  We got there just 10 minutes after they opened and waited for what seemed like an eternity.  I was amazed by the lack of open windows and employees chit chatting it up with each patron.  Seriously...can you not see the 60 other people waiting.  We almost had to leave for another appointment before making it through the line but stuck it out.   The next day we visited the DMV and were there 15 minutes before it opened.  I wasn't aware of the new regulations of showing your social security card...and since they took it from me the day before I didn't have it.  So we had to drive back to my parents to get an old W2 form and drive back and to get back in line.  I wish the DMV would have been our last stop but we still had a few more...what a pain.  At least I had Seth to keep me company all along the way.

We had lots of time to spend to family.  We went out to dinner at Stoneground with Scott and Emily and followed it up with a game of Carcassonne.  We also went to a few movies with my Dad.  Our favorite by far was True Grit.  We also saw Tangled with Emily and Jane. 

Christmas Eve we participated in Richards family traditions.  We went to the Capitol Hill Sing Along.  Then we enjoyed homemade pizza and a Christmas movie.  Christmas morning we opened presents at my parents and packed up for a trip to Hyde Park.

Happy Birthday Jane!

We were afraid she would forget us when we moved away...but she has not.  She knows our names and points us out in pictures to Nona daily.  She is the first one to come up and give us loves.  What a sweetheart, we love you Jane!

 

All photos by Stacy at Three Winks Studio.

Hanging with Max and Ben

Drew's arrival gave us some special time with Max and Ben.  We spent lots of time watching movies and playing with cars.  We also made a gingerbread house.  We got it almost all the way decorated when the roof fell off.  Seth stepped in to save the day and secured the roof in place.  Max and Ben put most of the candy on the house but quite a bit also ended up in their little mouths.

We also took a little trip to Costco.  These too talk about Costco like it is Disneyland. 

They did get a cart ride from Nona.  Who knew that Costco could be the Happiest place on Earth.

Newest Nephew

Max and Ben welcomed a little brother on Saturday, December 18th.  They are delighted to both be big brothers.  Here they are waiting outside the nursery to see Andrew Rockwell's first bath. 

Once Drew warmed up after the bath he was brought to Mary's room in a Christmas stocking.

Pennies for Christmas

Seth came up with a use for the pennies he has collected during our South Carolina travels.  He pulled out his toolbox and created this ornament.  I love the idea of being reminded of our all of our travels as we decorate the Christmas tree each year.

Christmas at Ashtabula

Seth is officially done with his first semester.  That is right...we are 1/4 of the way through our time in the South.  We celebrated his accomplishment by going on a date.  We went to a little Mexican restaurant on the town square in Pendleton called Vacqueros.  Then we went to the Ashtabula Plantation to see how Christmas was celebrated before and during the Civil War.   

Here are a few things we learned...

1. Ashtabula is considered to be in the Upstate of South Carolina.  Which means that we live in the Upstate...doesn't that sound classy.  Columbia is considered to be the Midlands and Charleston is considered to be the Lowlands.  
2. Most plantation owners had plantations in the Upstate or Midlands but spent most of their time in the Lowlands where crops were exported to Great Britain and beyond.
3. Charleston was dependent on the Upstate and the Midlands for production of crops, yet Charleston is where the money and wealth was located.
4. Thomas Green Clemson, founder of Clemson University is the son-in-law of John C. Calhoun.
5. John C. Calhoun was a Senator for South Carolina and served as the 7th Vice President of the United States.
6. South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union (December 24, 1860). 

It has finally turned cold here.  Here are a few pictures of us trying to stay warm on the beautiful wrap around porch at Ashtabula.  We are hoping to go back when it is a little warmer for a full tour.