What an amazing trip down south to visit family! We joined aunts, uncles, Grandmas, Grandpas and cousins to celebrate Christmas early in Talent. Can you believe we packed ALL this in in just three short days??
We headed down Saturday morning and got to Talent in time to give hugs, go to the bathroom, change clothes and drive to a beautiful restaurant, Callahans Siskiyou Lodge, for dinner with the whole crew. The five cousins were so happy to be all together! 
One of the gifts I made for all the kids this year was a "restaurant fun bag" filled with little things to keep them occupied (including a crayon roll). They worked like a charm and all five kids were perfect during dinner! Here they are checking out their goodies and keeping busy! 
After dinner we took a drive through downtown Ashland to look at the Christmas lights and then stopped at Yogurt Hut. This place is amazing! It's a self serve yogurt place with lots of different flavors of yogurt (D's favorite was Eggnog) and TONS of different self serve toppings. Once you have your perfect concoction they weigh the dessert to charge you. Brooke and Jason treated everyone to delicious yogurt treats! Wow, we were impressed by ALL the choices! 
Once home the kids got in pj's and we opened presents!! We will be with my family for Christmas so the cousins swapped gifts early. The girls were spoiled with books, playmobile toys, baby play food, blankets and more! Addi's favorite gift was her "marshmallow softie" from "auntie book".
Addi crashed shortly after wrapping up in her "softie" and the remaining kids and adults played "Guesstures", a new game Cuts and Suzanne got. The kids loved acting on stage, they are all big hams! 
The kids made it through the game then fell asleep eager for a funfilled next day! In the morning, Mason and Addi got to go swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's hotel pool. What a perfect way to start the day! 
The water was pretty icy but that didn't stop them! They loved the morning swim! Hey, does D look anything like his Dad to you?? WOW! 
We headed back over to Brooke and Jason's house for some yummy breakfast and jumping on the trampoline. They have a huge outdoor trampoline that all five kids jumped on (and D and Jason later in the day!). 
There is always a project planned for each Talent Christmas trip. This year the plan was to make bonsai landscapes. Everyone got into it and was so creative! 
Take a look at these big girls partaking in the crafting! 
Here's a look at everyone's finished projects. They turned out so unique and intricate! Very cool!
One of the gifts I made for all the kids this year was a "restaurant fun bag" filled with little things to keep them occupied (including a crayon roll). They worked like a charm and all five kids were perfect during dinner! Here they are checking out their goodies and keeping busy! After dinner we took a drive through downtown Ashland to look at the Christmas lights and then stopped at Yogurt Hut. This place is amazing! It's a self serve yogurt place with lots of different flavors of yogurt (D's favorite was Eggnog) and TONS of different self serve toppings. Once you have your perfect concoction they weigh the dessert to charge you. Brooke and Jason treated everyone to delicious yogurt treats! Wow, we were impressed by ALL the choices! Once home the kids got in pj's and we opened presents!! We will be with my family for Christmas so the cousins swapped gifts early. The girls were spoiled with books, playmobile toys, baby play food, blankets and more! Addi's favorite gift was her "marshmallow softie" from "auntie book".Addi crashed shortly after wrapping up in her "softie" and the remaining kids and adults played "Guesstures", a new game Cuts and Suzanne got. The kids loved acting on stage, they are all big hams! The kids made it through the game then fell asleep eager for a funfilled next day! In the morning, Mason and Addi got to go swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's hotel pool. What a perfect way to start the day! The water was pretty icy but that didn't stop them! They loved the morning swim! Hey, does D look anything like his Dad to you?? WOW! We headed back over to Brooke and Jason's house for some yummy breakfast and jumping on the trampoline. They have a huge outdoor trampoline that all five kids jumped on (and D and Jason later in the day!). There is always a project planned for each Talent Christmas trip. This year the plan was to make bonsai landscapes. Everyone got into it and was so creative! Take a look at these big girls partaking in the crafting! Here's a look at everyone's finished projects. They turned out so unique and intricate! Very cool!
After the project most of the family had to head back home but we got to stay one more night. The sun came out and we had a beautiful afternoon riding bikes, running and roller blading around the neighborhood. Then we decided to bundle up and hunt for some snow for sledding! We found the perfect spot! (OK, here is some serious snow picture overload, but we had SO much fun that I had to show all of them!)
Wow, what great exercise! The girls needed an after-snow snack! 
On to Red Robin for dinner! Check out these happy girls!
We pulled out the "restaurant fun bags" again which worked for the big girls. The only thing that really kept Addi in her seat was this giant chocolate milkshake and once that was gone we were in trouble! Note to self - going out to restaurants with our soon-to-be 2 year old is not always fun! :) 
On our drive home we passed the new high school that will open in the Fall. Jason will get to teach in a brand new school - it is going to be beautiful! We also stopped at a neighborhood FILLED with lights to see the display. After seeing the backup of cars and buses down the road we decided to park our cars and walk through the neighborhood. It was a perfect night for this! This neighborhood was amazing - a mini Peacock Lane! As we were walking back to our cars we passed a News camera setting up for taping. Apparently it was one of the busiest nights, we were glad we walked! We got home in time for Addi to crash, the girls to snuggle up with a Christmas movie and the adults to grab a drink and watch the finale of Survivor! Great ending!! The girls were excited to all get to sleep in Sienna's room and they actually fell asleep quickly. Hmmm... I wonder why that is??
Wow, what great exercise! The girls needed an after-snow snack! On to Red Robin for dinner! Check out these happy girls!We pulled out the "restaurant fun bags" again which worked for the big girls. The only thing that really kept Addi in her seat was this giant chocolate milkshake and once that was gone we were in trouble! Note to self - going out to restaurants with our soon-to-be 2 year old is not always fun! :) On our drive home we passed the new high school that will open in the Fall. Jason will get to teach in a brand new school - it is going to be beautiful! We also stopped at a neighborhood FILLED with lights to see the display. After seeing the backup of cars and buses down the road we decided to park our cars and walk through the neighborhood. It was a perfect night for this! This neighborhood was amazing - a mini Peacock Lane! As we were walking back to our cars we passed a News camera setting up for taping. Apparently it was one of the busiest nights, we were glad we walked! We got home in time for Addi to crash, the girls to snuggle up with a Christmas movie and the adults to grab a drink and watch the finale of Survivor! Great ending!! The girls were excited to all get to sleep in Sienna's room and they actually fell asleep quickly. Hmmm... I wonder why that is?? The next morning we packed up to make the trip back north. But not before the girls could have a jumping party on all the mattresses they slept on! 
Then we hit the road and had two sleeping girls by the time we reached Grants Pass! We are finally back home and unpacked. What an incredible weekend! We loved spending time with family in beautiful Talent. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Brooke and Jason! You are such great hosts! This will be a trip we remember for a long time! Merry Christmas!
Then we hit the road and had two sleeping girls by the time we reached Grants Pass! We are finally back home and unpacked. What an incredible weekend! We loved spending time with family in beautiful Talent. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Brooke and Jason! You are such great hosts! This will be a trip we remember for a long time! Merry Christmas!
After using every playdough tool in our box they moved on to making snowmen. I got out some random art supplies and they used their imagination to make interesting snowpeople. After this picture, Mason also made a snowbaby and snowdog! 
Addi insisted on holding her snowman's hand in this picture. I thought it was so cute! She was VERY proud of her creation! 
Once the playdough was put away the girls wanted MORE projects! So I got out some craft sticks and we made some ornaments. We made some trees and reindeer. 
We spent the rest of the day playing with the early Christmas presents, making tents and snuggling in front of the window watching the rain pour down! Overall it was a great day. I am so glad that I was able to slow down enough to enjoy the day at home with my girls. I may not have gotten to check things off my list (note to self: next year I will remember that it is OK to buy some presents instead of wanting to make them all!) but I still felt successful!
* Fruit Loop trees with Addi and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was much more interested in eating the Fruit Loops - it was so funny! 
Mason wanted to help so she turned on her "teacher talk" and tried to get Elizabeth to put the cereal on the tree NOT in her mouth. After this picture Mason gave up and let Eli eat them while she finished the project. :) 
* Santa face I found on 
* Decorated foam Christmas trees that stand up with a cup. 
* Handprint and footprint Rudolph. Addi LOVED this one! She liked painting her hands and foot and she laughed and shouted "RUDOLPH!" when she glued the eyes and nose on and finally realized what she made! 
* Rudolph snacks (graham crackers, frosting, pretzel antlers, craisin eyes, jellybean noses). This was a fun snack we made one day. I saw this idea on my friend 
* A Breyer horse for Mason (she's pretty excited!) 
* A cd player that plays different songs with different cd's. Addi loves pushing the buttons and singing along. 
Addi also got an adorable American Girl highchair for her baby Payton. And Mason got two other horses (one with a saddle and bridal that can come off), a fence that opens and closes, a cool snake game and a cute outfit. Thank you so much Grandma and Grandpa. The gifts were great and have kept them busy over the last few days before the break! 
* Mason got her very own camera complete with a case! Mason was so happy when she opened this that she even started crying. She told me they were tears of happiness because she's always wanted her own camera. Wow! So cute! 
* Addi was thrilled when she opened her very own computer! She kept telling us all night, "Addi's 'puter". She was so happy! 
* And a special box delivered by Mason's "Fairy Godmother" from the pet deer! She was amazed!
At the end of the performance we asked the girls what their favorite parts were. Our little princess Emily loved the Sugar Plum Fairy in her pink sparkling tutu and glistening crown. And Mason?? Her favorite part was the Rat King and his rat crew who fought with the Nutcracker and the toy soldiers. It was perfect... a little bit for every member of the family :) 
After the show we went to Memaw's house for coffee/chocolate milk and a special Nutcracker cake. The girls were in heaven! The boys and the little girls met us their for the celebration. What fun! Although Addi and Elizabeth loved spending the day with their Daddies, I think they were glad to be with the girls again to eat some cake!
After a long and exciting day both girls crashed on the way home. Thank you so much for a wonderful outing, Mom! We totally enjoyed the girls day and love the tradition we have started again. THANK YOU!
"Ho, ho, ho!"
Then we made some sugar cookies for dessert. 
It was so nice to be together and not have to leave the house. I *heart* family time! This was just what we all needed!
