Christmastime in Utah Part 4 - The Final Chapter

This is the last of the posts for our Utah trip. Seriously.

The last few days were spent with family celebrating Christmas. Monday we woke up early for family pictures at Wheeler Farm. Unfortunately, it was about 30 degrees and snowing. Fortunately, we did get a few good pictures and made it out of there in less than 90 minutes. There's never a big window for pictures with a toddler, and that kind of weather. 

Here's a few shots from the shoot

This is the whole gang: Trevor M. & his wife Britt, Trevor C. Kenzie, Dad, Loni, me, W, Ryan and Chris

The Carlston kids

After pictures we headed back to my dad's to relax and start some more baking for our Christmas dinner that night. Westin loves helping in the kitchen.



After dinner, we decorated sugar cookies. And because we're all so competitive, we of course turned this fun little activity into a competition. There were about 6 different categories to win. 

My dad had fallen asleep during all this action, so he was deemed the judge.

Winner of Best Tree!

Once the cookie competition was complete, we opened some gifts. 

For dessert, Loni and I made these sugar cookie bowls for ice cream sundaes. They were such a hit, I made them again for Ryan's family this past week. Basically, you just use premade sugar cookie dough, lightly push the dough into greased cupcake pans. The dough will actually rise and sink in the center on its own to make the bowl shape. Let them cool for about 10 minutes, take them out of the pan and cool completely on a cooling rack. Once they're cooled, dip the rim or the entire bowl area in chocolate and then dip into the topping of choice. We used peppermint, graham crackers and nuts. At Ryan's house, I did more kid-friendly toppings like sprinkles, candy coated chocolate pieces and cookie crumbs. The vote from everyone was that the fully chocolate coated ones were the best. Surprising, right?

The last couple days in Utah looked like this

Tuesday evening we had a yummy dinner with my mom at Thanksgiving Point, and then dessert and presents at her place after. 

We had such a great time in Utah. We were sad to say goodbye (to family, not the weather). It always goes by way TOO fast. Thanks everyone for treating us to such a great time. WE MISS YOU!!!