Christmas surprises

I have a nephew named Ari.  A few days ago I was downstairs playing cars with Doogles.  At one point I picked up a red car and said, "Hmm, this car looks like a Ferrari."  Doogles immediately looked at me with a sad/offended face and said, "No, not for Ari.  For me."  Ha!  Here in Utah we pronounce "for" more like "fer," so the word "Ferrari" does sound like "For Ari."

I came home early from a business trip to surprise Sam on her birthday.  She thought I was coming home in early January.

Birthday girls

The next day Sam had another surprise waiting for her when we drove back to our home.

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day at my parents' home.  Approximately 10 inches of snow fell during those two days, which was perfect for Christmas.

Dad got up early to clear the snow off the driveway before we attended a beautiful Christmas church program at their chapel.

Doogles was excited to open some presents after church.  In these photos he is pulling items out of his stocking.  He would pull something out and proclaim (for example), "Dad, I got M&Ms!"  Then he would turn to Grandpa and say the same thing.  "Grandpa, I got M&Ms!"

"Dad, I got a candy cane!"

"Mints!"  Douglas loves mints.

"Bubbles!"

Dad's turn to open his stocking.  I love this photo.

Sam stuffed my stocking with some healthier, and funnier items.

On to the presents.

Random insert:  I liked Mom's decorated toilet paper rolls, so I took a picture.

Now on to the presents.  Doogles said some funny things as he moved from present to present.

Happy to be with family on Christmas day.

Sara and Jarem came over for Christmas dinner with their kids.

Uncle Don and Aunt Judy came as well, along with Kathy and Laura Burns.  We enjoyed delicious food, fun conversation, and a rousing game of Rook later that evening.

When the adults want peace during dinner. :)

The sun came out after the clouds dumped the snow.

Doogles had a ton of energy that day, and boy was he funny.

 Yesterday (the day after Christmas) we drove back to our home where we hosted the Coombs extended family for more delicious food and good times.  Doogles continued his usual antics.

 "I'm not going to look at the camera."

 "Okay, fine."

 Sam chatting with Lisa.  Kevin and DeeDee in line for food.

 Spencer, Jori, Nate, and Taylor.

 Douglas never strayed too far from Grandma.

 Men and their guns.

 We gathered downstairs for a hilarious round of white elephant gift-opening.

 Sam explaining the rules.

What a fun family!

Nate, I love my new beanie.  The shirt is cool, too.  Thanks for the Christmas present!

 Today I took Doogles to the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum.  I think I enjoyed the museum as much as Douglas did.  They've got some cool stuff in there.

 "It seems to be in tune."

 "Here we go!"

Master pianist