BRHS Friend Party

We were asked to host the "friend" party this year. Matt and I were first really excited to see and catch up with everyone. We haven't attended a friend party since Hallie was tiny. We keep in touch with Becca since she takes our family pictures and Corey and Mindi because we genuinely love and care about them. We are involved in each others lives. We decided to do street taco because they were pretty easy to put together and I did extra desserts for the family party so I had left overs for the party. It was a great idea to have the parties back to back then we only had to set up and break down once and we were able to use a lot of the same food. Anyways the party wasn't what I was hoping it would be and I finished off the party so disappointed in how it all had been. So Becca and Sara showed up without their husbands which was weird but whatever. The conversation constantly went back to high school and turned what I thought was inappropriate multiple times. I felt uneasy when they brought up the times they had been on dates with Matt and the things they did. I thought that was disrespectful and unnecessary. I was hoping that we could all find common ground and build friendships where we are today but sadly I don't think that will ever happen. Sex was talked about flippantly and I was then reminded that I have grown up and have no desire to live in the past. I want to talk about sex sacredly and with maturity especially with our kids present. I felt uncomfortable and embarrassed after everyone left I expressed my feelings to Matt and although he didn't feel the same he totally got where I was coming from. I don't have any desire to attend another friend party probably ever. 

Brower Family Christmas Party

Matt and I offered to host the Christmas party knowing that we had the best space that would fit all of us comfortably. After all we built this house for events such as these. We decided to do a theme and play minute to win it games. I think it made the party very successful. We decided to serve "roast beast" aka pulled pork

It turned out amazingly

Kerry had asked if he could have a few minutes to present something. He ended up doing some singing and teaching the kids how to do a couple dances. It was a unique thing for the kids and something I hope they remember for a long time

Then we played some minute to win it games. They were a huge hit and everyone seemed to have a great time

After all the fun it was time to call it a night. This was a pretty great attempt at getting a family picture

My relationship with Matt's family is hot and cold. I think it's often difficult because of the difference in relationship between Matt's family and mine. I am really trying and sometimes its meant with joy and other times no one seems to notice. This was a good night. I think having everything planned out was great so everyone had something to do.

Polar Express Staycation

The first activity on our Christmas list was to take the kids on the Polar Express in Heber City. When we told them that we were not only going on the Polar Express but also having a weekend away they were so excited. Matt worked half day and then we headed to Heber City. We grabbed some food on the way and got there just in time to catch the train at 5:30.

Everyone got their own ticket so we could have them punched on the train

This guy is my favorite

The sunset was beautiful and there were deer on both sides of the train as we started off on our journey. It was about 90 minutes round trip and we loved every minute

After a little singing we got hot cocoa and warm chocolate chip cookies. They were a recipe from Mrs. Clause

Our hot cocoa stash

After everyone had a chance to finish their cookies. We had a special visitor that even brought presents and interacted with all the kids. It was so cute

On the way back to the station we even had a conga line. The kids were all thrilled that we could get up and move around and weren't having to stay seated the whole time

We had a really great time. I wasn't sure what to expect but the kids all really seemed to enjoy it. They had the kids tell jokes and Hallie and Gracie loved that

After we headed to our hotel in downtown Salt Lake. On the way there we all decided that we were hungry so we stopped to grab Panda Express before settling in for the night. The next morning we got up and had breakfast downstairs at the hotel. It was super yummy and had lots of options. Then we headed back to our room and watched a movie until check out time. By then everyone was hungry for lunch so we stopped for a late lunch at Braza Grill in Murray. The girls loved the meat on the stick and the olives at the buffet bar. After dinner we headed for Temple Square to see the lights. We got there at a perfect time it was just dark enough to see the lights but light enough to see where we were going and it was not busy which was nice. By the time we left there were a lot more people there. Hallie was the most excited about the reflection pool and the floating lights. They didn't disappoint.

On the east side they had set up multiple scenes of the nativity and the way they would be portrayed in that specific company. They also had music playing in their native language

After we decided we were cold we called it a night and headed home. It was a fun trip away making memories with my favorite people. I hope the girls know how much not only I love them but also that Matt does as well. We would do anything for them

Christmas Day

This year when we asked the girl what they wanted for Christmas multiple times we got the same response...they wanted to do fun things. So we went smaller on Christmas so we could have a budget for doing fun things the rest of the year. Although we spent more than what we normally do we would rather spend money making memories than just on stuff. I think it went over pretty well

Here is a calendar all of the girls got attached to their carry on suitcases. They have all put them in their rooms are count down the days to the next activity

The girls woke up about 8 then shortly after got to opening gifts.

Hallie got some new scriptures and a case for church

Both the older girls got small hatchimals that they spent about 30 minutes playing with before they decided to open any more gifts 

Em's gifts were definitely Elsa themed. She loves her Elsa pjs and her lip gloss and case were a huge hit

The girls and I surprised Matt with a new golf bag and a hard travel case...he was pretty thrilled

Em looked pretty cool sporting Elsa sunglasses

The girls spent most of the day building their legos they got. Gracie got a snow resort scene and Hallie an amusement park

It was a beautiful Christmas morning complete with a bunch of new snow. Matt's family was coming for Christmas dinner since Matt wanted to smoke ribs. 

After Matt got them started we headed out to play in the snow. Matt plowed while I ran the snowblower. The kids even joined in with the shovels

After we cleared the driveway we pulled the kids around behind the 4-wheeler. I have such fond memories of this as a kid and I love that we get to pass those and new memories along to our kids

Around 5 everyone arrived for dinner the older kids continued to work on the legos while the younger ones played in the basement

The ribs were a huge hit as well as the rest of the food. We were all stuffed but enjoyed all of it

It was a great day just the right amount of little family time combined with having extra family here. Matt did a great job with dinner. The kids make Christmas so fun and Matt and I are both really looking forward to making memories with the girls this year.