Making Memories: January 2015

So we got quite a bit of snow up here on Christmas Day. Ben had the day after Christmas off from work so we decided to spend some time playing outside. It was Colson's first time really playing in the snow. And it was a lot of fun. He like most of it but wasn't particularly fond of snow getting in his face. I don't blame him ha ha. We made snow angels, had a mini snowball fight, and went for a walk on the river trail which now looked like a winter wonderland. Here's some pictures of our first snowy adventure. I'm really hoping we can have more this year. I love snow. So hate me if you will, but I for one am certainly praying for more snow days in our future.

Making snow angels with Daddy

What a cute face!

Throwing snow with Mommy

Having fun

Playing outside

Beautiful winter wonderland

Walking with Daddy

I really do wish there was snow like this or more all winter

All of us together on the trail

So I meant to write about our Christmas before the new year came around but clearly that did not happen. But that's okay. We had a great Christmas in the Hall home. We got to celebrate with family at parties on the 20th with the Figgins family and the 23rd with the Oakesons. We had a great time hanging out with everyone. Colson always loves being with lots of people. Especially with all the kids. He loves to run around and play with them. We spent Christmas Eve down in Riverton with my family. We made our traditional sugar cookies. I think that is one of my favorite things to do on Christmas Eve. We enjoyed a good dinner put on by my parents. My grandma Connie and grandpa Brent came down to spend the evening with us as well. We then did some of our family gift exchanging since Ben, Colson, and I were headed home that night to do our own Christmas. I was pretty excited for that. I somehow learned what everyone was getting before hand, but it was still really exciting to see their reactions. Hannah got a Derek Jeter T-shirt, Braden got A Beautiful Mind on Blu-ray, Allie got a canvas picture map of New York City, I got picture frames with pictures of us and Colson in them, and Ben got Captain America. We got my mom Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightly so she doesn't keep stealing mine ha ha. And we got my dad a book by Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty. I may have to borrow it from him when he finishes it. Ha ha. Colson got a football from his aunts and uncle and a mega blocks dump truck, truck books, and truck pajamas from my parents. Ben got a drill and I got kitchen aid attachments from them too. We were definitely all spoiled. Colson especially but that's not a surprise. We really just took Christmas day really easy. We opened a few gifts. Had breakfast. Opened a few more things. Played with some things. Then got around eventually to opening the rest. Colson got upset when we wouldn't let him have more than three Reese's before breakfast. We almost ruined Christmas telling him no. Ha ha. Not really. But it was pretty funny. That boy sure has a sweet tooth. He even told me that we should have cookies for dinner when I asked him what to make. I laughed so hard at that. Like I said, we were spoiled. Ben got a new running jacket, Ender's Shadow (book), The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (movie), Super Mario Bros for our Wii, a new wallet, and new gloves. I got Maleficent (movie), A Christmas Carol (book), new knee high leather boots with knee high socks to go with them (I have wanted a pair for years), moccasin slippers, and a Primary Children's Songbook. Grandpa Brent helped us make a board for Colson that has a bunch of locks, switches, lights, and other little things to play with on it. It turned out so cute so a huge thanks goes out to him for his hard work. Colson also got a new outfit, more mega blocks, and some Elephant and Piggie books. (It is such a cute little series by Mo Willems. You should definitely check it out.) Lynn and Brenda got him big stuffed animal dogs that are like pillow pets. The family received Disney Just Dance for the Wii, but I think the most important thing we received was a little sculpture of Santa looking at the baby Jesus in the manger by Jim Shore. It is beautiful and it is a great way to truly remember the true meaning of Christmas. It was so fun to watch Colson this year. It isn't his first Christmas but he was definitely a lot more involved this year. He really has enjoyed everything he got and has played with everything. It has been so fun to watch him. And he wasn't sick like last year so that was a huge bonus too. I'm pretty sure we stayed in our pajamas most of the day. We especially liked getting to talk to Josh. He skyped my family in Riverton and we called them with FaceTime so we could see him too. He looks like he's doing great. I'm sure I'm forgetting something so please forgive me. But I want to give a big thanks to all our family for their love, generosity, and kindness. You all are truly examples to us. We appreciate everything that you always do for us. We love you all. I hope that this year continues to be great for us and all of you too. And I'm pretty sure the hardest part about blogging is picking pictures so forgive me but you will now probably be overwhelmed by photos.