Our Utah Excursion

The boys and I left a few days before Aaron so we could be there for
The Grandkids Photoshoot

My parents have 23 grandkids with two more on the way! And get this--the oldest just turned TEN. Yes, in a few months, it will be 25 kids ten and under.. This picture may look like it was somewhat under control, but it was totally and completely INSANE. All of the parents were behind the camera hysterically laughing (and some felt like crying!) because our kids were out of control. The poor photographer will probably not allow the Clawson Clan back into her studio. But the picture turned out-- and the photo really is timeless. These kids are all growing so fast and it's important to get an official photo every once in a while.

Ben was pulling this toothless grin for an hour or so. He didn't move-- and I love Zack's face in this shot because he was in shock.. just kept looking at me like, "What is going on and why do I have to stand here with all these screaming kids?" I LOVE all my nieces and nephews so much and wish my kids were able to live closer to ALL their cousins. For those of you who don't know.. my parents have ten children and ALL of their children live within a 20 mile radius of their home.. except for yours truly. They are excellent grandparents and are able to handle all the chaos very well. It's such a blessing to have all these people in our lives! On one of our road trips, I challenged Aaron to name all the cousins in order-- not only did he do it, but he knew almost all of their middle names! We love these kids and my boys are very lucky to have so many cousins!

After the photo shoot, we headed to Kristy's home to exchange presents, act out the Nativity, and have a delicious soup dinner!

The next day, I went with two of my sisters and their kids to the Gateway children's museum. It was a lot of fun-- but I couldn't help but feel jealous that they get to hang out everyday! How fun that they live down the street from each other and can play all the time. But we enjoyed the day we had together. We hung out, ate lunch at the mall and let the kids go wild!

That night, I had dinner with my high school friends @ Karlin's beautiful home. It was so much fun to catch up, exchange gifts and just be together! We've had a Christmas dinner party every year... going on 8 + years..

I think our husbands are mad that we never include them in the gift exchange, but that's tough luck. This year, Francine gave me Brilliance Plump gloss that is supposed to enhance your lips. I will let you know how that goes! Hillary snapped this shot just after I put it on..

Aaron flew in that night around midnight and we stayed up with Karlin talking until 3 am or so... the next day was busy wedding preparation. Jade received her endowment in the morning and we were so glad we could be there, even though I was coughing throughout the entire session. That night, a big snow storm hit Salt Lake and it was terrible timing. Our family was flying in and Brett and Kate and to be rerouted to Boise.. We were all supposed to be at a dinner party done by Jade's in-laws, and sadly, we were all terribly late. It took Aaron and I about 2 hours to drive 15 miles. It sucked. The whole time we were in the car, I kept saying, "I'm so glad we live in Vegas! We were so smart to move there!" The dinner was a lot of fun when we arrived and the food was excellent. Jade married into a family of 11 children, so I really felt at home with them, and so did our kids! It was so great to have Bronmin and Kirk come! But we missed Cody and Jake far away on Korean plains. That night we stayed in a basement condo next to the Mt Timp temple.. it was a little ghetto, but it was fun to all be in one place. We stayed up late laughing with Brett, Kate and the Chicagoans. The next morning, the people living upstairs brought us down a big tray of hot breakfast. French toast, sausage, little flower-cut cheeses, fruits, etc. It was so nice of them, but kind of creepy at the same time. We didn't even know them, but obviously they think they were running a bed and breakfast.. Every time we came back to the place to change our clothes, or whatever, there would be a new tray of Christmas goodies or treats. Nice, yet really weird.

The next day was the WEDDING! and it was FREEZING! I wish I had more pictures of outside the temple, but my kids were so cold and I was worried that my fingers were going to freeze and fall off. Jade was absolutely stunning (and John didn't look so bad either.)

I was so grateful to Bronmin and Kirk for watching the boys during the ceremony.
Even though Zack went a little crazy with the markers (see his hands)

Zack LOVED the skittles on the tables!! and thanks to KT for keeping him busy with the chalk!

The next day was the Annual Clawson Adult family party. And boy was it entertaining! Our white elephant gift exchange got a little crazy when my dad opened a humongous brazier and panties. I took a shot of him with the underwear on his head, but it must have been with someone else's camera. And these are my aunts Nancy and Julie..

The dinner was delicious and the company was fabulous! My family is the best!