Our family went to my sister Tiffany's house for family night and to decorate cookies for Christmas, and these 2 kids right here had the best time decorating the cookies! (And the bigger of the two kids ;) ;) enjoyed eating the cookies as fast as they were decorating them!
And lucky for us, while we were there at Tiffany's house we ended up getting a visit from Santa who left us the most exciting Gift of Time!!!
Santa sent us to Midway to stay in one of his very own personal cabins! :)
Everything about his little gift felt like Christmas! There were beautiful snow covered trees and Christmas lights everywhere in this quaint little town...
..and from the minute we got there we were constantly showered with "Santa knocks" and secret elves dropping Christmas clues and even gifts from Santa!!!
The excitement levels were through the roof to say the least...:)
Santa delivered Christmas jammies early this year and all of the kids wore their pajamas every night until Christmas!
Just look at these cute "bear bums!" The flap bottom p.j.'s were soooo cute!
Santa's secret elves would show up in the craziest places with little gifts for the kids, like in the window with chocolate covered caramel pretzel rods, YUM!!!
Hot chocolate and treats and games...squeals of laughter and music and fun, all like Christmas should be!
We even found little letters written with clues of where to find special gifts too...
..like elves out on the deck reading Christmas stories by the light of the moon...
When the girls found these elves they KNEW that they were going to come because every time they went out on that deck, they saw clumps of snow that had fallen from the trees onto the deck, and they just KNEW that those silly little elves must have been out there jumping and playing around! :)
You can see it in their eyes that the excitement was just SO FUN!
We carefully took the books inside and read the Christmas stories together cozied up in the big chair.
Lexi and Rahz also met us up in Midway that night for dinner after stopping and picking Maicen up from the airport.
It was so nice to sit for a minute in a big group, feeling a little like there was nothing bad at all in the world. We were together, we were laughing, we were warm and tummies full, happy and healthy...and it's Christmas. :)
The next morning we went swimming in the pool at the resort where we were staying.
We always have a ball playing in the water and soaking in the warm hot tub!
Climbing and exploring, and pretending to be mermaids...;)
It really is magical all of the fun things that make Christmas as a kid so wonderful and memorable. :)
The girls also made some little friends there at the pool, and they would even go outside and lay down in the cold cold snow, and then hurry and get back in the warm water...
...SO much fun!
On the second morning we were there we decided to treat the kids to a fancy breakfast with Santa!
This building we are standing in front of is Zermatt in Midway and it is such a charming place.
And of course being there with family makes it that much more magical. :)
Our Christmas breakfast included SUCH a delicious menu...
Irish oatmeal
Biscuits and jam
French toast and pancakes
Bacon and sausage
Scrambled eggs
Fresh fruit
Juice and Hot Chocolate
They served us family style so it was all we could eat...and it was a lot!
After we were done eating we went and visited with "Santa and Mrs. Claus" all though the kids KNEW that this was NOT the real Santa. It was simply one of his best helpers. I mean come on mom, did you see their outfits?? And that Santa was WAY too skinny, and the Mrs. was waaaay too young.. ;)
Kesslyn was a little scared of this helper, but after a little conversing and warming up to him, she was able to tell him just what she wanted for Christmas!
Kesslyn wanted a toy horse, and Kambriella wanted a skate board.
And of course all of the boys wanted to get a picture with this cool Park City Santa and Mrs. Clause!
(By the way, I asked them where they got their outfits from...Pakistan!! :)
Having Maicen there was a bonus because we don't really get to see him much since he is away going to school in Wisconsin. The girls LOVE their "red headed Jesus." :)
After breakfast we spent a few hours shopping in Park City and buying some much needed shoes and clothes for these children that will NOT stop growing!
For part of our Gift of Time Santa also sent us to the Pay Day lift at the Park City Mountain Resort where we were to catch a ride on a horse drawn sleigh up the mountain to the Snowed Inn!
These horses that came pulling their sleighs were so magnificent and beautiful!
So strong and majestic.
We all gathered around and took a few pictures...
..and then hopped into our own sleigh and started up the mountain!
We snuggled up close and covered up with their blankets to keep warm enough from the cold...
..and when we arrived in that beautiful building welcomed by the light and warmth of two roaring fireplaces, it was magical. We listened to the music of a live performer singing and playing the guitar, drank the yummiest hot cider EVER, talked and laughed, ate chicken, prime rib, fish, chili and breadsticks, salad, potatoes, green beans, and for dessert, a brownie sundae.
Perfect Christmas delight. :)
I think Tiffany and Colby were so happy and found out that THIS was one of their very favorite Christmas experiences EVER. It was so fun.
The girls couldn't get enough of the horses and were a little sad to leave them when it was time to go.
Kesslyn told them as we were leaving, "Don't worry horsies, you will be in my heart forever!"
Exactly.
THAT is what Santa's Gift of Time is all about.
I hope that these memories of wonderful time with family will be forever etched in their hearts as the BEST gifts of all.
And that those memories will be "in their hearts forever!"
Merry Christmas and have a happy New Year!
