December 29, 2008

Christmas in Utah (December, 2008)


Mommy and Daddy in front of Grandma Dixie's Christmas tree.


Daddy and Ryder at Grandma Dixie's Christmas Eve party.


Baby Nash and Baby Maciver (Loni's baby).


Ryder and Sawyer's block castle.


There's nothing cuter than a fat, happy baby.


Ryder, in his full military gear.

December 28, 2008

Annual Whipperman-Featherstone Christmas Dinner (December 28, 2008)

Ever since before Cody was born, the Featherstone's have always been close family friends with the Whippermans. In our youth, we went on countless Lake Powell and other trips together and built friendships that will last into eternity. We still get together once every year at Christmas to catch up with our good friends.


Ryder and Kyson (Corinne's oldest son) scaring the family.


Our Whipperman-Featherstone tradition...flaming snowballs.


Ryder looked like a little troll in this mask.

December 26, 2008

Snowmobiling at Uncle Ian's Cabin (December 26, 2008)

Uncle Ian (Cody's sister, Loni's husband) and his family have a beautiful cabin in Heber, UT. Ian invited everyone up to go snowmobiling and enjoy the scenery. We had a gread afternoon out on the sleds at the cabin.


Grandpa Scott, playing a little foosball.


Ryder, on the snowmobile.


Grandma Toni, with Ryder and Sawyer, getting dragged on a sled behind the snowmobile.


I'm cold, Daddy!


Sawyer, on the sled.


Grandma Toni and Sawyer, on the sled.


Daddy and Ryder, on the snowmobile.


Let's go, Daddy!

December 25, 2008

Christmas Morning (December 25, 2008)


Grandpa George and Grandma Dixie.


Ryder loved his singing and dancing penguin that he got from Grandma Dixie.


Nash loves to be tickled.


Opening presents.


Opening presents.

December 24, 2008

Sledding at Grow Park (December 24, 2008)


Sawyer, sprinting to the top to take another run.


Sawyer, sledding down the hill.


Daddy, with baby Nash.


All bundled up.


Let's go!


Nash is ready to go.


The scene from "A Christmas Story" comes to mind as baby Nash tries on his snow outfit for the first time.

December 18, 2008

Sawyer's Preschool Christmas Program (December 18, 2008)

Sawyer, to date, has been extremely shy in public. Her teachers at church and school rarely hear her talk, and when she does, they are usually shocked. She never has any problem at home even with the same kids from church or school come over, but she has not come out of her shell in public.

In her church primary program, she was the only one that didn't say her part in the program ("Jesus Christ loves me") although she practiced it in front of us many times. We knew ahead of time that Sawyer was going to have a problem saying her part, so we tried to give her incentives to say it. We even bought a toy and let it sit unopened on the fridge, promising to give it to her if she said her part. When the time came for her turn to say her part, she got up to the pulpit and just smiled and waved at us. After 20 seconds of silence, her teacher leaned down to the microphone and said Sawyer's lines for her. Sawyer was a little disappointed in herself and did not receive her toy.

She got a second chance at speaking in her pre-school program, but with a little longer part. The conversation leading up to the program went something like this:

Daddy: "I'll give you 20 nickels if you say your part in the program".

Sawyer: "What can I buy with 20 nickels?, Can I buy a Webkin?"

Daddy: "No, you can't buy a whole Webkin, but you'll only need about 180 more nickels until you can buy one"

Sawyer: "How about you buy me a Webkin if I say my part in the program?"

Daddy: "How about a Tinker Bell bag, will you say your part if we get you that?"

Sawyer: (Pause) "Is it purple?"

Daddy: "Yes"

Sawyer" "OK. I'm really gonna do it this time though."

When the time came for Sawyer to say her part, she did so without hesitation. We were actually shocked, since she has been so shy in public for so long. We are very proud of our little girl for showing so much courage and overcoming her fears.


Sawyer's part: "Extra! Extra! the headlines did say; Jesus, our Lord and Savior, was born on Christmas Day"


Ryder and Daddy like to call Sawyer "Curly McHoneysuckle" when her hair is all done up.


Getting ready to go to the preschool program.

December 17, 2008

Christmas in Pennsylvania (December 17, 2008)


Ryder, opening presents from Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve.


Ryder's power tools.


Sawyer, opening presents from Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve.

"Twas the night before Christmas..."


Opening stockings on Christmas morning.


Ryder, digging into his presents.


Sawyer, face full of excitement.


Nash's first Christmas present.


Sawyer, wondering who the biggest present of all is for.


Sawyer, unveiling her huge dollhouse.

December 13, 2008

First Snow (December 13, 2008)


The kids found out that the little slide was much faster when you cover it in snow.


Making snowballs.


Sawyer's snow angel.


Cheese!.


Ryder's snowball.