Christmas 2015 Part 3

*Written by Luke*

Christmas Day we headed to my parents' house to party some more. Zach, Jayme, James, and Hayden were there to play too. Jax loves his cousins and was very excited to play with them.

There were RC cars and helicopters, 4-wheelers and sleds (great combo), and plenty to eat. But the best part was the company. The kids enjoyed spending time at grandma's house and she loved spending time with them.

The kids did most of the unwrapping of presents, whether they were for them or for the adults. Then they made a wonderful, fun mess. 

 

Sometimes the best toy is the box a toy came in. James was impressed that Jaxon managed to wriggle into the box. They were both laughing.

Here are some cute boys posing with their presents. Jaxon's favorite: star wars ships, and James' favorite: monster trucks.

Hayden, and everyone else, enjoyed the car ramp toy. It was powered to tow them back to the top and send them down again. She was loving on Ryker too.

I got some new socks and pants I asked for. Everyone thought I looked like a mutant ninja turtle in my new gloves. I think they are awesome because they're the perfect combo of a warm mitten and a glove that lets you use your finger(s).

   

Courtnie got some pink slipper socks. Maybe they have a better name than slipper socks but I don't know it...

Happy times and cute kids!

Zach is enjoying the morning :)

Grandpa is trying on his new boots. I enjoyed spending time with my cool parents.

Zach and his family all together.

James and Jax playing monster trucks. There were collapsible cars they could run over and flatten.

Ryker was as happy as a kid on christmas. In fact...

Zach and I got matching RC cars and the kids loved watching them race around.

Jaxon and Ryker got some cool interactive books. This one has a pirate ship that winds up and rides around the track with little stories of the pirate adventures.

We took a break from sledding to ride a spring horse. It was fine winter weather. Grandpa had lots of fun with his grandsons.

Ryker just barely fits into his snow suit. He looked like a teddy bear. We weren't sure how he would like sledding but he wanted to go again and again.

   

We got some "Battleship" game targets and played with a .22 rifle from the deck. One benefit of living in the country: being able to shoot off the back deck. It was pretty fun. Jaxon wanted to be part of the fun. He went inside and found this toy rifle to play with the big boys. His smile says it all.

Then we headed to McCall for some winter fun. We stayed in a nice house that had lots of toys for the kids. Courtnie came down with food poisoning a few hours after we got to McCall so she missed out on all the fun. The rest of us still got to enjoy the snow. The sledding hill was full, so instead of waiting and paying them we went sledding on our own. Later Zach was pulling me behind the truck along a snowy road on a knee board, which made a pretty good sled. We hit the jumps made by snow plows going into driveways, and one time when Zach accelerated more than I planned for I jumped pretty high and twisted thru the air. When I crash landed in the deep snow the knee board hit me in the head, as you can see.

We went to some hot springs near McCall. The kids loved splashing in the water. They had several different pools and Jax had to test them all out. In the biggest one he saw a lady who had her hair in two buns like Princess Leia and he got so excited. He kept saying "Mommy! Daddy! It's Princess Leia!" She said "Oh I guess I do look like Princess Leia." She was very nice to play along. Every one in the pool was smiling because he was so cute. As we were leaving Courtnie was passing Ryker out to me. Jax was on the bench in the water right next to Courtnie waiting for his turn to get out when he jumped off the bench in the deeper water. When Courtnie pulled him out spluttering and coughing he said "I just want to give Princess Leia a hug!" He got his hug before we left and he has talked about it ever since.
After all our fun we had to say good-bye and go our separate ways. Jaxon and James are so cute hugging. We look forward to seeing them again soon.