Walquist Family Activities

This Christmas was our year to celebrate the holiday with the Walquist-side of the family. We attended worship together on Christmas Day, enjoyed a yummy Christmas meal at my parents' house, and then chose two nights during the kids' vacation week to spend the night together as a large group at Grammy and Papa's house. We had a wonderful time and planned a few special activities together.

Silly Supper

One evening, the kids and dads ordered their dinner from a "silly supper" menu that we had created. They ordered items like snowflake, manger, angel, or sled-- without actually knowing what these items stood for. The ladies of the family served the meal in 3 courses. The kids found it quite hilarious to see which items they received on their plates each time. The food combinations were often very bizarre. Also, the food usually came without silverware, so the kids had to get creative with how they ate. It's always a great meal when you get to eat ice cream with your fingers! ;)

Urban Air

Another day, we went to a trampoline park together. Jason, Uncle Matt, and Uncle Andrew devised a little competition on one of the long trampoline runs, and multiple other jumpers who we had never met joined in the competition as well. Everyone wanted to try to jump all the way down and back this trampoline run in as few jumps as possible. It was quite entertaining too watch everyone jump their hardest-- and often fall in the process!

The kids enjoyed the challenge courses and playscapes too. What a fun place!

Even Adley happily played for a couple hours without getting worn out.

I tried out the high ropes course with Aunt Kim, Abby, and Cody. Some of the ropes actually hurt our feet to balance on, but we made it through the whole course! 

Jaden liked battling Uncle Andrew in this gladiator foam pit.

We all definitely got our exercise that morning. Most of the adults woke up the next morning with sore backs and necks! ;)

Flag Football

Both Ryan and Jaden received flag football sets for Christmas, so the cousins were eager to play some football together. These four boys challenged Jason, Uncle Matt, and Nathan to a game at a park near Grammy and Papa's home.

Both teams had real plays that they followed! It was a gorgeous December day and a fun little competition to watch.

Other Playtime

We enjoyed a lot of relaxing downtime at Grammy and Papa's too. Uncle Andrew hooked up his Nintendo Switch, so a few kids played MarioTennis and MarioKart in the mornings. Ian even taught Grammy to play MarioKart one day!

We played a fair share of card and board games too, including Dragonwood, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (a hilarious new card game!), Crackers in My Bed, Karuba, and Kingdomino.

And of course, with all these wild kiddos, there's always a wrestling match or two that takes place!

Nursing Home Music

Another day, we visited a memory care facility so the kids could share some Christmas music with the residents. This was the same facility where I had taken the kids over the summer, so we recognized many of the residents and employees.  I invited my neighbors who take piano lessons with me to join us as well. The kids all did a fantastic job with their performances and brought many smiles to the faces of the residents. Many of the residents even started singing along with the carols! This was a little challenging for these beginning piano students, but they still made it through their songs. It was a great chance to serve and share Jesus' love.

Cody's two songs were O Come All Ye Faithful and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Jaden played Angels We Have Heard on High and Little Drummer Boy.

Ryan was a little nervous about playing, but Grammy convinced him to play his songs as duets with her. Ryan and Grammy sounded great together!

Since Nathan doesn't yet take piano lessons, he sang a few songs with Aunt Kim. He sang boldly and clearly-- so cute!

Ian has become quite an accomplished trumpet player this year, so he shared a few songs on his new instrument.

We were so proud of all these talented musicians! 

Thank you, Grammy and Papa, for letting us stay at your home over this break and for providing us with many wonderful meals and a great getaway to relax! What an enjoyable way to spend our Christmas vacation!