Whittle Holidays

We had a fun December, with Christmas at home, then heading to mom and dads for a week. I think I've survived 're-entry' and we're back into our little routine! Here's some pics from last month:

Since Troy is the ward mission leader, the missionaries often come over. Last week they reverted to little boyswhen the whole family engaged in warfare- Missionaries vs. The Whittles. The boys accumulated many weapons this Christmas, so there was plenty to go around. I'm still finding the darts in very strange places.

Dad made some targets for the boys to use the wrist-rocket and the slingshot Cam got.

Christmas Eve hot chocolate and Mr. Kruegers Christmas. Homemade hot chocolate is awesome by the way!

All the snow has melted, we've had a very mild January so far. The kids have only had a couple of days to play in the snow. I'm okay with that, I HATE dealing with boots, missing gloves, 'where's my coat?' Aaaarrrgggggg.

This is Audrey's Princess Palace. It was so easy and fun to make! She loves spending time in there (mission accomplished) and likes to dance and sing like Hannah Montana. It's fun to spy on her.

Ready for battle

Mom looking at their Disneyland album. It was a hit!

Audrey is pleased! She loves the dress mom made (actually converted Em's flowegirl dress from my wedding) and wears it all the time.

Zoogie is so tolerant

The gingerbread from a kit mom, Alex and Audrey put together. We took it home with us, I tried to 'forget' about bringing it, but right before we were leaving I heard, "Don't forget the gingerbread house!" Darn. They wanted to eat it on the way home. I told them it probably wouldn't taste very good. After about 2 miles into the trip I turned around in the van and saw in upside down on the van of the floor. My greatest fear was realized. Hope everyone had a happy new year, we missed your family Carrie!

a few more of the beach...

Our Virginia Christmas!

We did lots of fun stuff in Virginia. We enjoyed seeing all of Rod's family, and doing fun stuff. These are in no order because it's hard enough to post so many pictures, but I hope you get an idea of what we did!

This is outside a little kids muesum. It had a train inside that Lizzie was running after- and I mean literally running. The kiddos loved it.

On a ferry with Grandpa Lambourne! A big hit with the girls.

Rod experimenting with my new Christmas present- a nice camera. Although, he's having a little too much fun with it. He may need to buy me another present if this camera turns out to be his present!

Rod and Cosette and his dad and bro-in-laws went paintballing!

We went to another huge muesum that was pretty cool. We saw a neat pirate exhibit with artifacts from a real pirate ship. Here is the kids' learning section. This tent was supposed to be red blood cells with a few white blood cells....see the white blood cell?

Build-a-Bear was a big hit with the girls!

At the huge muesum. This section was about the navy. There was even a retired battleship, the U.S.S. Wisconsin, that is docked next to the muesum that we went on. Pretty neat stuff.

I think exploring the beach was my favorite thing! The kids were fascinated by all the treasures to be found:

At the park with the cousins!

Snowshoe Adventure!

It really was a Winter Wonderland.

Very beautiful!
I even made a snow angel.

Dad it washing pans.

About 25 of us left Monday AM to snowshoe into the "Peter Grubb" hut. (Primative). It was about a 3 mile hike in and out. It was snowing going in, but really beautiful coming back out on Tuesday. It was fun. (When my feet and hands weren't freezing).

Stuff we've been up to...

We made gingerbread houses! I had 2 other moms over with their kiddos and we made houses. But I had extra stuff, so the girls made houses again with Rod that night. Can you guess which one is Rods'?

Just in case you weren't sure.....it's this one:

On Sunday we celebrated our Christmas, opening presens to each other and from you guys! The girls loved everything, but I think for Lizzie, her boots from Grandma were the creme de la creme:

These are the gifts the girls made for each other. Caitlin (and I) made a blanket for Lizzie's bear:

And Lizzie (and I) made a dress for Caitlin's bunny. Both girls enjoyed learning how to use the sewing machine. And Lizzie sewed the button all by herself! They both felt like quite accomplished sewers.

We went hiking up to Red Rock Canyon last Saturday. It was a lot of fun! Check out the snow! The girls loved the "winter wonderland"...

Abby loved hiking! And her hiking backpack was awesome! It's a $5 yard sale find and we've never used it before, but it's really comfy and sturdy.

The girls with Santa at the ward party. Lizzie refused to sit on his lap.

Isn't she ADORABLE???????

The Sin List

Cameron continues to entertain me this holiday season. He takes the naughty and nice list very seriously. He came up with the Sin Chart the other day. He has it hanging on the wall in the living room, and whenever any of the kids commit a sin (Cameron is the judge) they get a tally mark. For example, when Audrey reaches 40 marks, she gets one less present at Christmas. Somehow Audrey has tons of marks, and yet Cameron has a few. Hmmm. The chart created angst among the siblings, so Audrey and Devon decided to make their own charts. They spent the next 24 hours next to their charts marking tally after tally and yelling at each other. Good times.

Holiday Happenings

Just some pics of my latest happenings...which also include Clark! :) We've been busy doing holiday things! We went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert, went ice skating at the Gallivan Center, went to a Christmas sweater FHE decked out in cool sweaters (courtesy of Clark's Mom's wardrobe), went caroling at a care center, saw the Nutcracker. We also went to this house where you turn your car radio to a certain station and the lights go with the music...crazy! We discovered there is an IN n Out in OREM!!! I knew there was one in Draper, but when we drove by it when we were in Orem, it was a nice suprise! Hope everyone is having a great holiday season. Can't wait to see (most of you) soon!