Christmas Catch-Up

Christmas this year was wonderful. We went up to my parents' house in Mapleton for the holidays. We didn't want to haul presents back and forth so we opened most of our presents for family home evening before Christmas. Leah got a princess dress (just a size 5 or 6 girls dress I got at DI but to her, it's the most beautiful princess dress EVER). It was so cute when she opened it during our pre-Christmas FHE present opening. I put it on her and she grabbed the corners of the skirt and spun around and said, "It's like a dream. A wonderful dream come true!" See, that's what Cinderella says when her fairy godmother turns her rags into a beautiful gown. I love how her brain puts things together! (By the way, in the picture Leah is playing a horn Grandma Edie has as decoration in her home. Leah could get a better tone out of it than I could. It surprised me that she figured it out!)

The girls got so many treats and toys for Christmas. I think they were quite overwhelmed. They got a play kitchen, dishes, clothes, candy, movies and more. I think Leah's favorite gift was a little porcelain tinkerbell tea set. Abby didn't seem too interested in much of the goings on but she got REALLY excited when she got some silky pajamas from Grandpa that he picked up on his business trip to China. She kept feeling them and spinning circles and smiling. She was so proud of her beautiful new outfit!

Christmas

Been a long time. And it will probably be a while yet before I'll be able to post anything substantial. Right now we are frantically trying to get the house and EVERYTHING ready to go to Mapleton for Christmas. We're enjoying the holidays though and will give an update in the new year.

Merry Christmas, from the Potluck family!

Pumpkin Festival

Right after the Sheep Parade we walked over to the pumpkin festival. Again, it was my first time actually participating in this Cedar City tradition. It was awesome. Leah got to jump in leaves, decorate a cookie, paint a pumpkin, get a temporary tattoo and eat a donut without using her hands. Abby seemed to enjoy it too, although, as I previously mentioned, she ended up spending most of her time in the stroller. She got a tattoo and shoveled in a donut as well. I think they both enjoyed being out. So did I. Here are our pics from Pumpkin Festival, 2008.

Sheep Parade

Only in Cedar City can the annual herding of sheep down Main Street be called a parade and the activities surrounding it become a festival. I'm not sure what the real title of the festival is but all day Leah has been calling it "The Sheep Parade". Lenny was on a campout with the scouts so I loaded up the monstrous double stroller and took the girls to watch the parade. They loved it! Both of them laughed and squealed and giggled for the whole 2 minutes the sheep were in view. I was disappointed Lenny wasn't there to see it. And I could have used the extra hands. I couldn't work the camera, the camcorder and hold/keep track of the kids. So Abby spent most of her time in the stroller (which made for boring, shadowy pictures) and Leah got sick of me hollering at her to "Get back here right now!" It was my first sheep parade and I actually enjoyed it. It was amusing to me; trucks and trailers and kids throwing wool into the street and, the big finale.... sheep! It really is "Festival City."

Canadian Thanksgiving 2008

Since college I have been celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving (long story). It's basically just an excuse to dress like lumberjacks, drink Applebeer and eat jelly donuts, and call each other hosers. It's turned into quite the big ordeal. This year we had over 20 people here, not counting children, and I'm hoping to make it even bigger next year. Here are some pics from the festivities:

Notice the beer mug...

The decorations.

Three of my hoser brothers: Matt, Phill and Andrew.

Our Vacation: Albuquerque, New Mexico

We spent October 8-October 12 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Friday morning we woke up super early to go to the International Balloon Fiesta. It was spectacular. It was a special shapes mass ascension day and there were all sorts of crazy-shaped hot air balloons. We saw a cow, bumble bees, Nemo, a cathedral, a jack-o-lantern, an airplane, and a stork, to name a few. Leah got a chocolate donut (pictured) and I ate the most delicious cinnamon roll I have ever had in my life. No joke. I'd go back just for that. Here are a few shots from the balloons. Enjoy!

The Zoo

Saturday we went to the Albuquerque Zoo and had a ball. The kids were well-behaved, the weather was nice and cool, and the animals were actually entertaining. Couldn't have asked for more!

Leah gets VERY up close and personal with a cougar.

Dad and Abigail, waiting for the rest of us.

Our beautiful girls sure love their daddy!

Abby's favorite part was the little train ride we took through the zoo.

Leah and I got to ride a camel. She was so excited about it. I expected a little hesitation but there was none. What an adventurous little girl!