Disney Land

R2H took their employees to Disney Land for the Christmas party this year. It was a lot of fun! Our kids are at such perfect ages to really enjoy it. (Except Claire, she was teething and I ended up in the hotel with her much of the time). It was still a ton of fun though.

We went to an early morning character breakfast with Minnie before the park opened. It was so much fun! All of the characters came to us for pictures, the food was great, and we got into the park at 7am.! We'll definitely be doing that again.

Confession- I wasn't looking forward to this trip too much, being that the last time we went to Disney Land, I got pneumonia, went into premature labor with Claire, and ended up in the hospital for a week! But this time was different. I guess it was like getting back up on the horse after being bucked off, and this last ride was better than the first.






Mitch and McKenna sleeping in the same position. Too funny!

My expectations were low, and I was pleasantly surprised. Even though I spent the better part of 2 days in the hotel with Claire, it wasn't all bad. I ordered room service, read a good book and relaxed while Claire slept. That's what I call a vacation! One night Grandma and Grandpa Hendershot stayed with the kids at the hotel while Hans & I went to the park alone. THAT was FUN! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! The park wasn't croweded at all, and we went on a few thrill rides over and over. I must say it is hard to argue with the statment, "Disney is the happiest place on earth."

The Polar Express

The Heber Valley Railroad (the old Heber Creeper) has a Polar Express ride it offers during the holiday season. We've wanted to take the kids ever since we moved to UT and this was the year we finally made it. Boy, were the kids excited! Grandma Sherri was there with us, which made it even more special.


The kids all wore their pajamas, and brought their new stuffed animals from Meggie's Build-a-Bear birthday party. The train is old fashioned and looks an awful lot like the Polar Express in the book (or movie). We were all issued tickets which we were told we needed to hang onto to present to the conductor when he came by.








Once the train got going, the elves on board served us hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies, which was the perfect treat. When we got to the end of our route "The North Pole", we saw Santa outside in the snow, waving at the train and saw a little village of tiny houses all lit up. I guess that was Santa and Mrs. Clause's workshop village where the Elves live. The kids were looking out the windows with anticipation for quite sometime, before they finally spotted Santa.

Once we turned around to head home, Santa came on board! He stopped and talked to each of the children, and they got to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

Kenna wanted a doll house.






Meghan wanted a Cinderella doll with a crown that lights up.


Mitchell wanted the Wii games Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart, and a Nintendo D.S. Yoshi game. Santa seemed a little confused as Mitchell rattled off his wish list at mach speed. It did sound a lot like Greek.

Then a narrator passed out books of the Polar Express and read by lantern light on the way home. The kids were spellbound! Us adults, just marveled at their animation and sheer joy. What a magical evening it was! And an experience we will never forget; one that made this Christmas season come to life!

Meghan's 7th Birthday!

For Meghan's birthday she took two friends and we all went to Build-a-Bear. Pictured here is Meg, Daisy, Mitch, Taylor (Meg's boyfriend:) and McKenna.

Giving the animals baths.

Dad helping print birth certificate for Mitch's dino.


Kenna and Meg coordinating wardrobes--very important.

Meghan saw a picture of a pink and green birthday cake in a magazine last summer and has been bugging me to get her one ever since, so I made one and just tried to copy what I remembered from the picture. It didn't turn out so great, but surprisingly Meghan loved it! You would've thought I'd given her a million bucks! Aren't children, great? We should all be so easily impressed!






Meghan's necklace from McKenna

Meg opening present from Mitch

Ohhhhh thanks Mitch!

Friends and Fun!

We had our dear friends, the Schaefers from Colorado visit us in November. It was so good to see them. They were our next door neighbors in Highlands Ranch for several years, and we really miss them now that we're in Utah. We went to BYU campus and to Temple Square while they were here. It was a beautiful, crisp fall afternoon the day these outdoor pictures were taken. We had such a great time. The kids really had a ball. When the Schaefers left, Mitchell asked me if Olivia, Jack and Lucy were our cousins. He didn't believe me at first when I told him they weren't. He didn't like that too much. Eventually he was appeased with the thought that they are our REALLY good friends. :)

Olivia, McKenna, Jack, Lucy, Meggie, and Mitch

at a fountain outside of the Smith Family Living Center


Catherine and Melissa at fountain

Jack, Lucy, Meghan running around campus



Hans and Jeff just chillin'