We SMITHS spent our Christmas in Utah this year. We flew in on the 18th of December, traveled the whole state of Utah and then came home on the evening of January 4th. It was a BLAST. Here are a few highlights of our trip.

December 18

The first night we arrived the Smith side of the family had a small dinner and we read from Luke chapter 2. While Grandpa Penn read the story, the chilren acted out the story. Penn, Dallin, & Austin were the wise men, and were so VERY HANDSOME.

DECEMBER 19-24

I was so excited to see Grandma & Grandpa Morrell. They are such wonderful  & fun people. They have a super fancy Lincoln MKX and I offered to drive them over to my parents house in it one day when Bryan had dropped me off. My Grandpa Meeks just gave me a smile and wryly said " If you want to drive a Lincoln, you can BUY one YOURSELF."  No luck driving Grandpas coveted new ride:)

Okay, next we have our road trip from St. George, to Layton, through Park City, to Heber City.

And do you know what we did There? Well we rode the POLAR EXRESS of course!

Here we are, Bryan, M.J, Isaac, & Penn all enjoying the excurision to the NORTH POLE!

Isaac was trying to keep Penn warm. He really is a sweet older brother.

The views from the train were amazing.

DECEMBER 25th -27th

After the beautiful Train ride through the Mountains we went back to Aunt Lisa's house (my sister) and the boys played with the cousins and then we had a most wonderful Christmas Eve dinner. We ate roasted garlic potatoes, homeade buttered rolls, a yummy salad, and a delicious prime rib roast. Here we all are:)

Uncle Bryan & Cousin Tiffany

Next all the grandchildren opened up

 Christmas pajamas given to us by Grandma Robinson.

Little Luke Christmas Eve

Smith Family and our boys

Isaac 5 1/2 Penn 2 1/2 Luke 1 1/2

Who can forget little Teddy Bones Taylor?

Mr. Merry Christmas

We were lucky to get to visit with my

 Grandma Ruth Robinson in North Logan, Utah.

This is her home & feilds. There is a barn & hayloft  towards the back of the home.

Great Grandma Ruth at 94 years of age.

Isaac in the Haystack

Penn & Luke on Grandpa Loy Robinsons tractor.

Walking down toward where

cousin Brett keeps his horses

And of course we couldn't leave Logan without driving by the Temple.

Logan, Ut Temple where my grandparents & parents 

were sealed for time and all eternity.

December 27-29th



One last picture in the hayloft.

We visited Lisa, Adam, & their family one last day before traveling to

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Before I go on, may I just say... I LOVE BEING MORMON. It is the BEST. I love both of our families, I love seeing and participating in temple ordinances, and I LOVE the PEACE that being a member of Christs CHURCH brings. We are so blessed to know the TRUTH.

Okay so we stayed with Bryans older sister Jennifer, uncle Scott, and their beautiful and talented and sweet children. Lindsay, Trevor, Brooke, Bryson, Alec, & Alyse.

We went to Temple square saw the lights, heard the music, saw the Christus and visitor center.

Here they are:)

Cuddling up with aunt Jennifer:)

Penn posing in one of the displays at the visitor center. He is too much:)

The next day we all went to the HOGLE ZOO.

 It was chilly, but nice because the animals were pretty active.

Penn on the Elephant's Trunk

Okay, we had fun.

And then we got out of there, got home, warmed up, ate a delicious dinner provided by said sister in law Jennife, watched DISPICABLE ME and laughed, and laughed and laughed.

The next morning we said our goodbyes and see you soons and headed south toward sunny St. George:)

These cousins & grandparents were waiting for us, we had a fun Happy Birthday party for Baby Houston's 1st Birthday and Aunt Gayles 64th. She is such a sweet heart. Aren't we lucky to have all these people in our family?

Aunt Rachel, Isaac, & Uncle Nick

Luke Smith & Houston Ence

On New Years Eve, my grandparents came over to my mothers home where we ate dinner together

and played a funny game. The game was called 2 truths and a lie. Each person was to write down on a peice of paper two truths and one lie. My grandpa wrote " I was once the rodeo queen." I guess that was his lie. He is hilairous. Grandma, Grandpa and I drove over from their home in Green Valley, and we were laughing the whole way. He is very quick witted. Of course he had to take the long way around town so that he wouldn't get into any heavy traffic. Pretty humorous since it is only St. George traffic. Of course if he would have let me drive his LINCOLN.... well you know...

Hooray for Grandparents and Great Grandparents.

Isaac singing  " I am a Child of God" While Grandma Robinson

Plays the piano.

Mary Jane Rocking the Babies to Sleep.

The boys enjoying Grandpas jet tub

Grandpa Penn & Lukie

Getting a good night sleep with baby Jingle Bella tucked right in the middle.

Waking up to snow in Grandmas Backyard:) What a beautiful suprise!

Eating the carrots from the snowmans nose.

Rub a dub dub... three men in a tub.

I Spy with my little eye...

Its all in the Genetics

Bryan

Penn

Dallin

Grandpa Meeks

Remember who you are!

                                                             You are a great person!

Be Grateful that you're an American!

Be Grateful you have a Family that loves you!

Get an Education!

Get to know Good People!

Be Honest & Pay Your Bill!

Live within your Means!

Be Smart, Be Prayerful!

Make us Proud of You!"

-Grandma La Wanna Grandpa  Meeks Morrell

 

They couldn't get enough tof this chair:)

Cousin Dallin

Grandpa scared the living daylights out of Luke.

.

Grandpa & Bryan

St. George Temple Visitor Center

Cute Penn

Granpa Val

Flying back to Houston

Our litttle Carry on

Utah was amazing. The scenery was beautiful, and we had a wonderful Christmas catching up with family. What a perfect end to a wonderful year!