TrahdeeeeeSHUN!

Many are the traditions of the Magleby family, but the most diligently kept and my personal favorite is the Little America Christmas Weekend.  Every year we swim at the hotel, have dinner in the cafe, ride Trax to see the lights on Temple Square, meet back for treats, sleep (or not sleep, depending on child status) have the delicious brunch at the hotel, and see A Christmas Carol at the Hale Theater.  It's magical.

This whole shebang acts as a dual heart-warmer for me because it happens to be the weekend that, seven years ago, my own little family started when Zach proposed.  So, no matter what obstacles or distances might stand in our way, when the Maglebys meet at Little America we are THERE.

Port and Eli at dinner.  Rolls added to rolls upon rolls.

Riding Trax

The Founders of the Feast and Fun

Maglebys! No, we don't own the restaurant.

We took pictures at the beginning, giving the impression that our kids were happy and energetic the whole visit.  A false impression.

Running through the hotel with McKenna

Best. Breakfast. Ever. Always.

Eli was finally old enough to see the play with us this year (ok, maybe we padded his age by two months) and despite a few scares from the ghosts of Marley and Christmas Yet To Come, he liked it quite a bit.  Quote, "the actors were so fun!"   In fact, Eli loved the whole trip and I think this is the year that he will finally remember it.  A toast to passing on traditions!

Poor November

It's not like there's anything wrong with November, November is an awesome month; it has my birthday, Thanksgiving, fall weather, etc.  I just never seem to blog in November.  Then when I get pumped to write about December happenings I put it off because poor November has been neglected until I can stand it no longer and just do a November highlights post.  This year is no exception.

So.  NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS:

Birthday Times

All I wanted for my birthday this year was to have one morning where I could sleep in with Zach as long as I wanted to and not have to wake up to immediate child caring.  Thanks to my sweet parents and husband my wish was granted.  The weekend before my birthday we dropped the boys off with their doting grandparents and Zach and I had a marvelous two days in Park City, full of delicious food and child-free shopping. 

When we got back the Judkins were so sweet as to have a second birthday celebration for me, complete with Tawny's amazing desserts.  That woman's pastry skills amaze me.  

On my actual birthday we were home and Zach had to work, but that didn't stop me, Eli and Porter from making and consuming large amounts of banana cream pie.

Thanksgiving
Thanks to the Haights (who are great) Zach and I started out our Thanksgiving with a 5k at Thanksgiving Point.  Since I signed up just two weeks before, it seemed pointless to try and train so we both did it cold turkey (get it? So punny).  I've been more sore after a race, but not that much more.

As our contribution to the food, Eli put his play doh skills to practical use and made pie after pie with Grandma:

We pulled off two Thanksgiving dinners again this year and it was as crazy as ever.  At the Magleby's Porter ate his first ever turkey dinner (if "eating" can be defined as dipping everything in your water glass and smushing it around your tray and down your pants) and Eli loved hanging with his cousins.

We didn't get any pictures of the food at the Judkins' (which is a shame because it was way yummy) but there was lots of this action, which made my heart happy:

Fall Weather
Despite having two trees removed from our yard in October we still ended up raking a ridiculous amount of leaves (20 garbage bags full, to be precise).  But Porter and Eli loved it so much that it was almost worth it.

 It was just in time too, because before December could even start it snowed, which fulfilled all of Eli's greatest fantasies.  Porter had no fantasies, but ate the snow anyway.

 
Family Pictures
As our final November highlight, we had family pictures taken by the talented Randy.  The children
(and, let's be honest- the husband) were not thrilled, and no amount of degrading antics or silly faces could get Porter to smile for a single shot.  But I love them anyway.