December Trip to Wisconsin

Alegra and her cousin Caden getting in trouble playing with the Christmas ribbon :)

We just got back home after spending a week in Wisconsin with Shawn's family. We decided to go because Shawn's grandfather (we taught Cruz to call him G squared) was turning 80 and the family was having a surprise 80th birthday party for him. Plus, we could celebrate an early Christmas with Grandpa Frye, Grandma Frye, Aunt Leigh, Uncle Brian, Nicholas, Max, and Caden. We had a very nice time even though it was a little chilly! :) Cruz had time to play with his cousins and Max and him really bonded. There was time to bake cookies, play puzzles, celebrate Christmas, play, spend family time, etc. We arrived last Tuesday and hung out with Grandpa and Grandma Frye, Max, and Caden. Nicholas played with us after he came home from school. On Wednesday Shawn and I had a little time to ourselves and we drove to Chicago and shopped on Michigan Avenue. It was so good to be back home for a bit! That evening we all went to this place called Monkey Joes. They have these huge blow up bounce things and the boys just ran around like crazy going from one bouncy thing to another. Alegra even had fun in the bounce houses. On Thursday we played and baked some more. We were able to have dinner with Grandpa Bert and Sharon and then we headed over to Max's preschool Christmas program. On Friday Santa happen to drop by the Frye household and the boys were very excited. We had a very nice dinner and opened presents that we exchanged with each other. It was fun to see the boys and Alegra's reactions to Santa. On Saturday we went to a Steiff Exhibit they have downtown. Cruz enjoyed seeing all of the animals. And on Sunday, it was Bert's surprise party. Bert really doesn't like birthday celebrations, but he took it o.k.! :) We flew home on Monday and just as we were landing in SLC Cruz got the stomach flu. I guess if he had to get it that was the best time of any on our travel day. I ended up getting it later that night, but at least we were home safe and sound. It was fun to be in Wisconsin and spend time with grandparents, aunt, and uncle, and cousins.
Grandma Frye and Cruz baking some cookies
Grandpa Frye and Cruz working on a puzzle
All the new places to play for Alegra
Shawn with all the boys going down a huge slide at Monkey Joes
Alegra and Shawn at Monkey Joes
Shawn and his Grandpa Bert
Frye Grandparents with Bert and Sharon and us
Grandma Frye got to spend some quality time with Alegra
I like this, our Family Christmas picture!
Nicholas, Max, Caden, Cruz, and Alegra (she wasn't too happy)
The boys with Santa
Alegra and Santa. She really didn't like him very much. She was not in a great mood when Santa showed up at the Frye's so I am wondering if she happen to be in a better mood if she would have liked him better from the get go.
Grandma reading to the grandkids
Cruz at the Steiff exhibit
Grandma and Grandpa Frye with all their grandchildren at the Steiff exhibit
All of Bert's (G squared) grandchildren (and spouses), pretty impressive.