Grandma B and Grandpa Bob's House

On Friday, we went down to visit Grandma B and Grandpa Bob for the weekend.  We had all sorts of fun things planned and it was a REALLY fun visit.

We started Friday night with a quick dinner and then out to see the Christmas lights.  We decided to just do the 'car' tour this time (since we were all pretty tired) and it ended up being just as fun.  It meant we also had time afterward for hot chocolate and marshmallows!

This Christmas season, I decided to start a new tradition and read "A Christmas Carol", by Charles Dickens, to the girls.  We continued reading most of a chapter each night we were there.  It was a really great read-aloud book and I'm excited to read it again next year too.  They understood the story and there is a lot of great language in the book too!  After the girls were in bed, Mom had presents for Jules, herself and me: new PJs!!!

Saturday morning, the girls did a fun craft with Grandpa, Daddy and Ryan.  They made these dinosaurs from kits.  I'm still not sure who had more fun, the girls or the boys, but they turned out very cool.

I also did a craft with Mom and made a little yo-yo Christmas tree!

We had a quick lunch and then went to Birch Street for some ice cream fun at Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor.  We had to wait to be seated, so the girls got to visit with Santa for a bit.

Mom, Jules and I browsed some shops.

We posed for some pictures with the reindeer.

Farrell's was unbelievably awesome and did not disappoint.  I had a delicious peanut butter sundae that hit my happy spot.  Everyone enjoyed their huge ice cream desserts and we shared a 2lb plate of chili fries.  These were waffle fries too, so you could really stack up the chili and make it good.  The girls also got balloon animals.  Miriam chose a monkey in a banana tree, Rachel wanted an orange and purple pony, and Liz chose an elephant.  They were all more than happy with their choices.

Saturday night, we exchanged presents.  Grandma and Grandpa gave the big girls super cute mittens and hats.  They gave Rachel a bow and arrow set from the movie Brave.  Jules and Rick gave our family a fun movie and game night package!  Grandma spoiled us with new flannel sheets, a white shirt for Jim, and a Loft gift card for me.  She also had the super cute picture of the four of us from Jules' shower printed on canvas.  So cute!

Mom also ended up getting ukuleles for Jules and I!!!  We spent that evening and Sunday practicing and playing.  It is such a fun and easy instrument!  The girls also got a chance to practice and can't wait to get their own ukuleles this summer.

Sunday, we went to sacrament at Jules and Rick's ward.  They had a really nice musical program and I sang with my mom and Jules.  The meeting was sweet and really helped me feel the spirit of Christmas.  That afternoon was the Olson Family Christmas party at the institute.  Amy and Devar were down and everyone was there.  It was really fun to see everyone.

They set up a Wii on the projector screen and there were all the fun games to play.  We had dinner and then decorated some cookies.  Rachel was doing great with Jules and I overseeing.  Then we each got distracted and the next thing we knew, she had dumped an entire bottle of sprinkles on one cookie!!!  Oops!

The big girls played their Christmas songs and Liz and I did our Star Wars duet.  We also played some songs on the ukulele.  Then we played the present game.  It was so much fun...especially with my cousins and the little kids.  It's kind of crazy that all my cousins are grown up now.  My youngest cousin is only a year and a half older than Liz, so we had an entire range of ages.

Monday morning, we got ourselves packed up and headed home to get ready for the big day to come!