2010 Wrapup

Phew. I think we are finally back to "normal" at the Donovan household. More than two weeks have passed since I last wrote. The family has come and gone. The kids are back at school. The house is quiet once again. I've been meaning to chronicle the holiday time but once again, it became an overwhelming task as the events and time started to pile up. So here I go, attempting to remember everything. My pictures are non existent too, so I've scrounged up some of Nana's pictures from Christmas morning.

The few days before Christmas were pretty uneventful, at least for me since I was still working. The kids made a gingerbread house and train with Nana & Papa. They also went swimming at Nana & Papa's hotel. James and the kids went with Grandma & Grandpa to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the U. We have never been and they all enjoyed it...even Quinn, who swore he wouldn't like an art museum :)

I planned the menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Eve we had Penna a la Vodka, crab cakes and asparagus with hollandaise sauce. Christmas Day we had a spiral ham, stuffing, homemade rolls, carrots, sweet potato casserole, and lasagna -- in other words, too much food. We ate it on Christmas and then again on Monday night. It was so much better the second time around, at least for me since I didn't have to spend another day preparing it all. Christmas was great for everyone I think. We had 9 people in the house plus Callie and Rudy. It was crazy but fun. The kids were most definitely spoiled. Quinn got a ton of Lego Star Wars and Atlantis sets, a Knex roller coaster (with 1100+ pieces!), a few books, and more I know I cannot think of right now. Keely got her own dry erase calendar with markers (so she can stop writing on my calendar), red Converse sneakers, Barbie shop and scan, books, a cupcake making & decorating set, and again more that I cannot think of right now. The adults received some gifts too (and I was way too spoiled by Santa!) and I think everyone reveled in the joy of a Christmas morning seen through children's eyes. Quinn still isn't sure about Santa, but he still kept it quiet enough that Keely was thoroughly enchanted with everything.
For the rest of the family visit, here are the highlights:
--The kids went to see Tangled with Annie & Nana.
--We visited Park City, seeing the Mining Museum and going out for lunch.
--We visited Hill Air Force Base Museum with Annie, Grandma & Grandpa then went out to Wingers for a late lunch. I can't believe we have lived here for 5+ years and had never been to this museum, it's free and really worth the trip!
--We went bowling with Grandma & Grandpa. Actually, just Grandpa because Grandma just watched and read her book.
--We went ice skating with Grandma & Grandpa. Actually, Quinn and Grandma did not ice skate. Keely loved it once again and I am going to sign her up for another round of lessons this winter.

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011. More on the upcoming year soon...