Rounding out the New Year

Oh my goodness folks, I am so tired.  

Most of the time I feel like this whole working mom thing is working out okay, but periodically I feel like I'm sinking.  Tonight I feel completely sunk.  It's only 9:07 pm and I've been home for less than an hour, but I'm already hanging out in bed with my favorite flannel jammies.   Thank heavens that we wrote Annika's class Valentines yesterday and that Eli is old enough to finish his own.

Before signing off on the day completely, I'd at least like to post enough pictures to catch up to the new year.  Rewind.  Rewind.  I remember that night, I just might...wait a second, no regrets here!  On December 26th, the entire Wheeler clan went sledding up Logan Canyon at the Sinks .  

I'd tell you it was amazing, but I don't think I need to.  The pictures pretty much say it all.

Somehow we managed to forget Annika's coat.  Fortunately Aunt Christy generously shared her sweater.

Eli catches some air.

Brooklyn basks in the glory of winter.

Thanks so much for the fantastic ending to Christmas, Grandma Susie and Grandpa Charles.  We sure treasure the memories we make together.

Back in Salt Lake, we arrived home to discover plenty more snow in our own front yard.

Inside the house, Annika was excited to introduce her new dolphin, Pink Spring, to the existing pod.

She also reintroduced herself to Spark.

Eli will probably murder me for posting this, but it was just too cute to resist.  You know that your k'nex are good when they are taller than you are.

Jason took on a building project of his own--insulating our back storage room.

It temporarily turned our garage into a disaster, but if the pipes stop freezing it will definitely be worth it.

As nice as it was to be home, we spent plenty of time outside the house during the finals days of 2018.  Skiing at Brighton is a personal favorite, especially when we can include our uncles.

Warming up with some card games in the lodge.

We also checked out the Hogle ZooLights display, courtesy of Justin and Brianna.  The new 3D animals are great!

On the 31st, we hopped over to the Natural History Museum for their noon-year's eve celebration

The new Mayan exhibit, complete with stelas, was also fascinating.

Last but not least, we rounded out the year with fondu and Italian sodas at Brianna and Justin's house. It was the perfect celebration for Wheelers and Stokers alike.

Add in a dance party and really, what more could you ask for?

Happy 2019 world.  Now time for bed.

A Wheeler Christmas in Hyde Park

SNOW DAY!!!  Okay folks, this is a huge deal.  The Salt Lake City School District is notorious for never canceling school.  While I can personally certify that school hasn't been canceled since we moved here, I just found an article published in The Atlantic which stated that SLCSD "didn't have a singe weather-related closure during the Obama administration."

I am over the moon happy.  The kids and I have a day full of laziness planned, followed by some shoveling, a snowman, possibly some sledding, and lots of hot chocolate.

Speaking of snowmen...Christmas!  We arrived in Hyde Park on the 23rd to a Winter Wonderland.  Aunt Christy helped us get right to work.

Pausing for a snowball fight.  Justin lets a nice one fly.  (Can you spot it?)

Jason returns fire as Ruby stands guard.

Back to the business of snowpeople, here's Annika helping the work roll along.

This little one's taking shape nicely.  Annika added the arms while Lance and his friend Felicity from Australia oversaw construction.

Gotta keep those wooden digits warm!

Meanwhile, here's the big boy...or girl..I don't know which.  Interesting head adornments.

Ruby poses in front of the finished masterpiece.

While all that snow was fun, it's time to back up a moment.  Since we were pretty heavily involved with our ward's Christmas program, we waited until after sacrament meeting to join the Wheeler family in Hyde Park.  Before hopping in the car, I made the family take a few photos in their Sunday garb.

Awkward family photos...

Gotta keep the photos rolling because you know, calendars, they're kind of an annual thing.

Back to Hyde Park, the best part about getting the whole family together is the food.  (With the family itself running a close second.  Just kidding, I think.)  Ruby and Annika sure look ready to eat.


Christmas Eve dinner.  With no fewer than six jam varieties on the table, it just doesn't get tastier than this.  From left to right, it's Christy, Ben, Charles, Susie, Justin, and Brianna.

You know these mugs.

This shot has a new face.  Seated next to Brooklyn is Janet, a kiwi living in Australia.  Both Janet and Felicity are friends of Lance who joined us from the land down under for the holidays.

At last!

Looks like Santa found us in Hyde Park.  I don't know if Annika's happier about that or the chance to snuggle on Grandpa Charles's lap.

Four cuties, excited to open their stockings.

Janet and Felicity look pretty excited as well.


At last!  Time to open presents.

A Snow White dress for Ruby.


Ski goggles for Janet and Felicity.

Hand-knitted hand warmers for Brooklyn from Talia.

A pink dolphin hat and pink dolphin stuffie for Annika--the perfect accompaniment for her current boto dolphin fetish. (For those who don't know, any why wouldn't you, botos are pink Amazon river dolphins.  For further details, ask Annie.)

Star Wars legos for Eli


And a Harry Potter shirt for Talia.


More Christmas joy.

The funniest gift of the day?  This giant squid I picked up at Goodwill for three dollars.  

As soon as she opened the squid, Annika immediately absconded with it into the backroom where she put it on the top bunk with all of her other stuffed animals.  As if anybody could accidentally slip away with it!

Just for the record, all of Annika's Christmas stuffed animals were immediately named.  Green Grass for the squid, Pink Spring for the dolphin, White Celery for the unicorn, you get the idea...  And just for the record, she still sleeps with ALL of them (including the squid.)

After breaking from presents to eat some delicious meat pie, we decided that we needed to work off some calories with a traditional Wheeler Wobble.  Many thanks to Christy for the fantastic shirts!

Ready to Run!  Or Walk.  Or Wobble.  Gosh, I love this crew.

And they're off.

Go Grandma Susie!

Christy, Eli, and Talia all running in the distance.

 Victorious at the finish.

Back inside for some Hungry, Hungry Hippo playtime.

Opening up a few more presents from NomiAnn and Papa Kay.  Eli got a really nifty robotic set and Annika got an American Girl doll that she named Annika.  Either she's narcissistic or her creative naming juices were all used up.

Gathered again at the table for the tastiest spread of finger foods.  I think this picture says it all.

I'll be honest.  Getting ready for Christmas is stressful and exhausting.  I'm secretly glad it comes but once a year.  Mostly, I'm glad that once a year, Christmas comes.  Once a year we put everything else aside to be with family and show our love for each other by giving gifts and sharing food.  Once a year we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Above all, I'm grateful we can remember His life and feel the joy all year long.  Merry Christmas.