Winter Vacation

Winter vacation!! The boys have had two weeks off with no school, Amy has two weeks with little work, (A half day here and there) and I have two weeks use it or loose it time. Seems like a great time to take a home vacation.

We just have to figure out a way to keep Connor from loosing all his teeth. He does have a seventh birthday coming up in a few days, so I guess it's time to lose a few.

Our week leading up to Christmas was filled with a LOT of snow. It was nice not to have to worry about my crew getting slid into on a crash scene, dealing with onery UDOT workers who don't want to plow roads, drivers swearing they were driving slow, yet end up in the ditch, median, overturned, or worse. Grandpa, (Amy's dad) did get hit while going down Provo canyon. Four young teenage drivers were traveling at around 50 mph, hit into grandpa, then slid into oncoming traffic. They got t-boned, killing two of them. Sorry for the loss, but give me a break.

I got to stay inside and make puzzles instead! This is the second of two we made in about a three day period.

Our Christmas was nice, with low stress. We went over to Amy's parents Christmas Eve for dinner. Amy's brother Adam had his family there, along with sister's Ashlee and Aletha's families, it was nice. We all brought something, and served the meal buffet style, which seemed to help with grandma's stress level, and allowed us all to eat way more than we should have of the things we wanted most of all.

Our Christmas was a lazy day. The boys received a Wii and several games for it. Spencer already smoked us all in bowling and tennis. I managed to knock him out. In Wii boxing. Mom and Con pretty much play golf like I do in reality, so much practice is needed in this area, which, I am sure, will come with time.

Yesterday, we went across the street again, and slid down the hill again. Ashlee and Josh came over, and we had some friends join us as well. We created a jump and spent a few hours conquering it. No major injuries this time. The boys even stood on the sleds a few times and used them as modified snow boards. The new snow pants, coats, and gloves provided from grandpa and grandma's Christmas money were nice. We appreciate them! I'll modify this post in a few days, after my buddy emails me the pics from the day.

First Winter Snow

The first significant snowfall of the winter hit us pretty good yesterday. We ended up with about 6 inches of fresh powder on the ground here in Morgan. It was sweet justification for my last years Christmas gift I bought for myself, the SNOWTHROWER!!

I used it once or twice last year, but have already used it three times this year. My neighbors to both sides are from the South, so we pitched in and helped them out.

Today, we walked across the street and hit the slope. Our plastic sleds managed to pick up some speed, and moved the boys right along. We all had a good time, until Amy hit a rock, breaking a snow sled, and bruising her region. Looks like a long cold winter for me :(

Amy's work party was last week, at Taggart's Grill. Her boss sure treats us well, and the bonus was nice. I took my 4 hour's paid leave from the governor Thursday, and with two weeks use it or loose it time, I'm done working for the year. We graduated our last class of cadets Wednesday. It was awesome to see them make it out alive. We are still waiting to see where I placed on the Lieutenants roster. It is nice not to really care about it, because I'm happy where I am and with what I'm doing.

Thanksgiving

So Amy talked me into going to Blanding for our Thanksgiving holiday. I had been called by a friend about providing a course in Field Sobriety testing sometime, so the Friday after Thanksgiving seemed like a good time to take care of this.

We left Wednesday after Amy got home from work, and drove down to Blanding in a rain storm. I should have picked up on the subtle hint that my mood just wasn't going to get any better than the weather, and given up, but nope, I'm stupid.

The above picture is looking North from mom and dad's driveway. This was Saturday morning just prior to leaving for home. After the rain finally quit.

Well, when we got to mom and dad's they were gone. Turns out, one of my sisters decided this would be a good time to leave her husband and bring her two kids to Blanding. Trouble in paradise for them, and repetative drama all week.

There was quite a load at mom's house for the feast. With the five of us, two of my parents, Jan and her kids, then my other sister, her husband, his brother, and their son, I'm sort of surprised we were able to fit.

The best day was actually Friday when I taught my class. Amy and the boys got to go see some friends from Blanding, and had a great time. I am so glad they did.

Kaden even went to the Twilight movie with his buddy's cute twin sisters. Wow. Two for one. Go Kaden.

Right after coming home, Connor got to get up in front of his first grade class and tell his story about being mad. He did fine, and gratefully wasn't chosen to go to Weber State. Grandpa and grandma Robinson got to go and see him. I got to see his performance via digital video camera.

Things here are well for the most part. We are supposed to be in a HOA, but our money seems to go to pay for everyone else's sprinkler systems and snow removal. Our neighbor contacted us, and we agreed that it was unfair. After a meeting, and retaining an attorney, we are looking at forming our own HOA. The one that was supposed to be in place was never filed, so it's a real cluster. Part of our ward members think we hate the other part, and are taking it out on Amy. I am used to being hated, so it doesn't bother me. I think she is secretly hoping I can make it high enough on the Lieutenants roster to force a move from here. I am secretly hoping for the same thing. There are currently two open Captains positions, meaning there is potential for two Lieutenants spots to open somewhere next year. The roster should be out within the next three weeks. I guess I'll always have the tent trailer to live in if I have to move before we sell the house. I am deathly afraid of getting the Moab spot though. I'd almost rather stay right where I am.