Fun time in Salt Lake

Sunday evening we decided to go to Temple Square. We told Maxi that when you go to Salt Lake City as a visitor, you have to go to Temple Square. It was crazy with people, with it being the lights and everything, but it was fun to see the kids and Maxi in awe of it. Maren and I were actually in the bathroom most the time because she had a bloody nose, but we did see a lot. Maxi even saw a missionary from Argentina and talked to her for a while.

Monday we took the kids to the skating rink, then went to the movie Tangled, then took them home and the adults met Curt and Diane at Rodizios at Trolley Square.

We enjoyed our time in the Salt Lake area during Christmas. I love all my family so much.

Christmas In Ogden!

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year. The kids got out of school Wednesday afternoon, and we left for Utah (Ogden) Thursday morning. It was a very crowded van. Not only was it Christmas, extra presents etc., but we had an extra person too (Maxi). To add to all that, Sam decided to haul a 32" flat screen tv down for his dad. We were all squooshed, but we made it safe and sound.

I was in charge of making homemade rolls this year. I asked if I could do Rhodes Rolls, but was stopped there and was told no way. So, I tripled a batch (which took 4 hours) and made croissants (which made it longer), but in the end, they turned out fabulous. Everyone came over to Kass's; Curt and Diane with Robby and Melanie, Doug and Rhonda with JJ, Arielle, and Kenzie, Aaron and Brock were there from California, Anny and Jim and Fam were there and of course, Mom and Boston.

After dinner, we gathered to have a little program. Savanna and Andy played a few songs for us, we watched the Nativity show, listened to some Christmas songs by each cousin learning the piano, and of course...... opening of the Christmas Eve presents.

Zack, Jackson, and Max were laughing because they opened the same p.j.'s. Most of the girls got matching ones as well. They enjoyed posing for the pictures :)

We had to get a girls picture, but no one was looking at the same camera at once, it was funny.

Brock, Becca, Rhonda, Jenna, Kass, Anny, Mom

The girls all wanted to sleep in the same room that night. I'm not sure how long it took for them to go to sleep, they were so excited for morning to come.

(I think Brynn and Brooklyn decided to sleep in their mom and dads room in the end)

Morning came, and the kids were very excited for their Santa gifts. Each of the older girls got an American doll that looked similar to them. They LOVED them!

Aliza got Emily, Maren got Lannie, Brynn got Elizabeth, and Abby got Ruthie

In our family, when you turn 12, Santa doesn't really come anymore, but Jackson did get a scooter from him.

Sammy, Sam and Maxi were enjoying the morning excitement.

Mom was trying to keep Boston from eating her stocking candy. So cute. He did get his own stocking with his own treats.

We originally were going to open presents all together, but decided that would take too long, so we split our presents into families (thanks to Zack and the boys), and opened them up within our families in the same room. It was fun to see all that was going on in the room.

It was a wonderful and relaxing day. The girls played with their American Dolls all day long. This is a cute picture of them playing school with their dolls.

Even though it was crazy getting down to Ogden for Christmas, I'm so glad we were there.

Christmas Card

I wasn't going to do Christmas cards/letters this year, but after Sam wrote a letter because he was sick on Saturday, I quickly made up this picture collage on Sunday and got them mailed out on Monday.  Wow,  not bad huh?  I hope people get Sam's letter.  We've gotten lots of comments thus far.  It reads:

Um, well hello,

Sam.  Recent certified Zumbas instructor and a forward in the city hockey league.  Some folks have asked if he is having midlife crisis.  No, he has been there, and done that!  Perhaps since he topped his toboggan (toupee), he has had a second wind.  To quote Sam, "I'm tired of giving the other guys a chance!  Game on!"

Becca:  Just one more month.  We think this pregnancy has been her most beautiful.  If you haven't checked her "picture of the day" blog, she has chronicled this pregnancy with a picture each day showing from day one of "flat abs," to presently, a most definite "outie" bellybutton. Viewer beware, the belly is bare.  Yet, she is tasteful and as modest as a bikini top can be.

Sammy:  Pushing six foot two inches.  Not bad for some Pollock height genetics.  Not to mention, it looks like he has a reliable, full head of hair.  He is halfway through his junior year and  he still continues his better than perfect GPS.  He joined the debate team this year, and although it's his first year, he has been routinely recognized for ripping it up.

Jackson.  He has had a year of extremes.  One moment he is state gymnastic champion* and the next... well cross eyed.  His first deer wasn't quite dead and when he leaned over to take a look, he caught a hoof.  I blame myself.  I heard about this kid who ran into a pole and his eyes corrected, but so far, not working for Jack.  On the bright side, he now sees two imaginary friends.

Aliza.  Have you seen the newest Freaky Friday with Lindsey Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis? Every morning she dresses in the same clothes as the daughter in the movie, electric guitar over her shoulder (plugged in amp), enters our room and while strumming reads us a fortune cookie.  You know, I remember Jackson was kind of mesmerized by the movie Sand Lot, and we did humor his whole baseball phase.  But, I think this is different;  surely you agree it is not natural for a girl to the the electric guitar.  Plus fortune cookies are not always true.

Maren.  Our seven year old, and should have been our last.  She still sleeps in our bed.  I have told her when she's eight it's over.  Recently she has been abusing the craft of the mime.  She is in character 24 hrs a day, miming that she won't speak again until we get her a cell phone.  We think that's what she is saying?  Hey, I like a mime as much as anyone, but miming for a cause cheapens this beautiful art.

We just want to wish all a Merry Christmas, and notify all that this commences the Pollock Christmas Contest!  We have purposefully portrayed only one of us accurately.  Send us whom you think has been correctly portrayed and you just might win our most bestest prize from our dental office treasure box.  Shipping and handling charges apply.

Love you all, Sam, Becca, Sammy, Jackson, Aliza, and Maren and Max

*Jackson really was state champ. Again!

p.s. We have also been enjoying Max, a foreign exchange student from Argentina.  He is staying with us for a few months and it has really been a pleasure.  Come by to take a look and listen to his accent.  He is pretty neat.