This year for Christmas my parents started a new tradition. They have decided that instead of giving presents that are often forgotten, broken, or lost, they would give us a weekend full of memories that will last forever. On Thanksgiving Day, we were told about this activity and that it would involve a service activity, some fun activities, and some cultural activities. As part of the service activity, there would be another family joining us and participating in all of the activities with us. The Hebdon family is a part member family with 4 children. The father is out of work and the family probably wouldn't be having much of a Christmas. As siblings, we decided to forgo presents to each other and to Sub for Santa for this family. With only those details, we headed out Friday morning (12/18/09) and arrived at our first destination... 
Grandpa, Uncle Scott, Breck, Kody, and Kimball having a shooting contest.
Aunt Michelle and Kody on the GoKarts.
Michelle and Libby talking with Amber and Wyatt Hebdon.
Eric and Shalise in a game of air hockey -- for the record Shalise beat Eric 7-6!
Tickets, tickets, and more tickets!
Next, we headed to Bountiful and ate at Chuck-A-Rama. Everyone was able to get what they liked or wanted. We enjoyed the time visiting while the kids ate, ate, spilt drinks, ate some more, and made ice cream sundaes. After dinner we headed south to Salt Lake and checked into the Hilton Hotel on South Temple. Parent were exhausted and ready for naps but the kids could not get in the swimming pool fast enough. I was one of those parents who chose to nap so I have no swimming pictures but I'm sure there was much fun had in the pool!
At 9:00pm we gathered in Grandpa & Grandma's room for the evening activities. We all began to assemble and it was going to be a tight squeeze to get us all in one hotel room. Grandpa began by making sure everyone was comfortable but in order to do that we'd have to rearrange a few things. He opened the door that was connected to another room -- The Vice Presidential Suite. The kids all thought that was so cool, so big, and so awesome!
Michelle, Gentry, Audry, Cainan, Marci, Ashlynn, Porter, and Cardon.
More puppet show preparation.
The Puppet Show of Jesus Birth!
Todd, Dawson, Tyler, Porter, Eric and Kimball playing with the Jenga blocks. Boys will be Boys!
After the evening of a puppet show, games and food, we all headed to bed for a good nights rest. Grandpa and Grandma wore us all out! Grandma provided yummy cinnamon rolls, fruit, and juice for breakfast.
We then headed over to the Utah Symphony Christmas concert -- you guessed it -- Grandma's choice! Actually is wasn't too bad. Santa played the tuba, lead the symphony and helped with the sing-a-long. 
Reggi and Michelle waiting before the concert.
The weekend was full of fun, family, laughs, meeting new friends and making memories. Thanks Mom and Dad for putting this together for us. The memories will last in our hearts and mind forever! It was a weekend that I really enjoyed. It was nice to spend time away from the hustle and bustle of the season, away from work, away from cell phones, but spent with those that I love the most! Thanks family for a great weekend -- can't wait until our Christmas weekend 2010!
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