Christmas and our trip

Here I sit in Smithfield, UT enjoying the cold and wintry weather we left for sunny California. The kids opened their presents on Christmas morning at home in Lockeford, then we cleaned up a bit and hit the road for Idaho. The boys were thrilled to find that Santa thought they were good boys this year and brought them presents that they love to play with. We left for Idaho around 1PM and stopped for gas three times. We stopped once to have a bite to eat in Elko, NV but I felt like we could make it driving straight through. I don't enjoy hauling in all the luggage to the motel, sleeping, packing up again the next morning. So, luckily the roads were good and we made it. I tell you though, that last hour and a half was torture fighting to stay awake. It's a good thing Christy was there to slap me around and keep me awake.

On the 26th we had a Searle family Christmas party. It was also a time to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary on the 27th. We (the kids) gave them a Garmin 650 GPS for Christmas and a Shutterfly memory book for their anniversary. Each family wrote a memory and gospel principle they've learned from them and we filled it with pictures as well. I think it went over well. It was great to see my sister and three brothers and their families. They are all great examples to us and we appreciate their kindness to us. So, we had our pictures taken as well and will post it later. It was nice that it had recently snowed and has snowed since we've been here. We pulled the kids around on a tube behind the snowmachine and four wheeler. Luke and Isaac forgot what snow and cold are like. Isaac took all his clothes off and said he was ready to go play in the fluffy snow. We told him it wasn't quite like swimming and needed to bundle up. He just went plowing out through the deepest drift he could find and realized after that it can get cold fast.

We left Shelley this afternoon for Smithfield. Christy's brother is here from California as well putting in cabinets for his Mom. So we'll spend another day here playing with family then head back to Cali on Sunday. This trip has been fun, but traveling sure saps a lot of energy out of an old man of 34. Christy's sister Mailee came up from Spanish Fork to see her and do her hair and whatever else it is that sisters do together...a lot of talking. Anyway, I'm tired so night night.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Another month gone, holy cow, where does the time go? Christy had a birthday last week. She wanted an ipod, so I bought her the touch. It's super cool. I think she likes it, but takes a little time figuring out.

We went to the beach again with some friends and the kids were able to see urchins, anemone, star fish, and other stuff in tide pools.

We also visited the Oakland temple to see the lights and go through the visitors center.

Christy is taking the boys to the club swimming a couple times per week. I'm surprised how well they're adapting to the water and swimming. Isaac had his swimsuit on tonight asking to go swimming. They really enjoy it, which is good since I've never been a great swimmer and I hope they'll do better in water than myself.

My parents have their 50th wedding anniversary on the 27th, so we're heading to Idaho for the occasion. The kids are excited to see family. They're also very excited for Christmas. Luke asks us everyday if today is Christmas. That's all until next time...