Christmas in Utah

We flew into Utah on Wednesday the 21st and it was snowing. Looking out of the airplane window, Tommy would say "Snowy Day!" (from the book by Ezra Jack Keats)

He was shy for awhile but then quickly warmed up and gave Grandpa a high-five.

Grandma has lots of musical, moving Christmas decor, and he loved to turn all of them on...at the same time. His favorite was this tree that had a train going through it, on the other side.

            It wasn't long before Tommy was asking to play
            in the snow.    I love my little snow bunny.

Where's daddy's gloves?

   

                                         
                                       

The piano is always a big hit at grandma's house!

On Thursday we went to the mall where they had this train to ride.

Tommy was in 7th heaven.

He had to see the conductor driving the train. He really cried when we had to get off. (It was pretty easy deciding his birthday theme ;)

He was sitting in this chair and Grandma asked, "are you just hanging out?"

He then repeated this everytime he sat down-"Just hanging out!" I took a video of it and he could watch it a thousand times.

On Christmas Eve we went to see the lights at Hogle Zoo.There weren't many animals but the lights were pretty neat. It was ridiculously cold but hot chocolate helped and we still had fun.

Aunt Alisha just adores our little man and Tommy's new best friend, Alex was all he could talk about this trip. He also talked about Grandpa, asking where he was, anytime he was not in the same room with him!

Tommy actually slept in on Christmas morning! A Christmas miracle, although we were all up and couldn't wait for Tommy to wake up!

We had left Santa some chocolate chip cookies (requested by Santa himself) and there was a note on the plate saying, "Thank you Tommy for the cookies." He kept pointing to it and saying, "Santa cookies all gone."

Santa left Tommy this dump truck that came with a working drill, letting him put on and take off the wheels. He didn't care to open anything else for a long time!

Grandma making yummy scones for Christmas breakfast.

Alex absolutely spoiled Tommy rotten...and he was so excited to do it too! Yeah for another Elmo!

(we lost his other one)

Aunt Alisha gave him this remote control Thomas train. Again, he had no interest opening the other gifts!

Another gift from Alex. He also got him an Elmo Jack in the Box-he gets a little scared but he loves to be boo-ed!

Although McKayla had to work a lot, we were lucky enough to spend Christmas morning with her. But I'm sad I didn't get any pictures of her and Tommy.
Alex made these awesome stockings in his sewing class! I love them!He rocks!

Christmas dinner was at Aunt Sandra's house. It was really good and afterwards we read about Christ's birth and then sang Christmas songs. I didn't take any pictures but we had a good time!

Grandma bought Tommy this 'sharp' suit with his first tie, and he wore it to church on Sunday.

Trying to ride the wooden reindeer

The snow that had fallen the day we came quickly melted but it miraculously snowed again on Sunday. It was a big surprise because it was NOT in the forecast...I had been checking!

We couldn't let it go to waste!

Grandma also had these Santa nesting dolls that Tommy played with over and over again.

Another toy from Grandma that didn't get opened until later.

Monday night we went to Temple Square and saw the beautiful lights. Grandma and Grandpa also spoiled us by doing a horse drawn carriage ride. My grandma would take all of us grandkids every year when we were little and it brought back lots of memories.

For the last couple weeks, when Tommy sees something he likes he immediately says, "I want to touch it." When we went into the visitors center and said, 'Tommy there's a statue of Jesus' of course he said, "I want to touch him." Although he says this about everything, it made my eyes water. This is nothing new considering I have become the most emotional woman on the planet, (much to my annoyance), since being pregnant. Shortly after, Tommy then said, "I want to High-five" ( meaning to Jesus)

When seeing the temple he also said he wanted to touch it.

Checking out the Belgium horse named 'Smith' pulling us.

Right after touching the horse, he shook his head, and Tommy was DONE.

Tommy loves machines, so we had to stop by Sam's worksite and let him operate one. It was pretty cold, and he wasn't sure what to think, never being so close to one. He loved it from a distance though.

Wednesday we were in the airport for 4 1/2 hours but finally made it home. We had so much fun in Utah, especially Tommy and hope to go back soon! Tommy has constantly been asking for grandma....grandpa....alex....and the list goes on.