Trip to Sun Valley

While we were in Idaho, we decided to take a drive to Sun Valley so that Matt could do some marketing for his business. He is interested in seeing what the market is like in Idaho compared to New Mexico.

As we were on our way, we passed through this tiny little town named Shoshone, Idaho. We had to stop at the Snack Bar for lunch. This is a place that my dad and mom loved to stop at. We ate a grilled hot dog in memory of my dad. On the way home we also had to stop again to get an ice cream cone. They are so big!!! It was a fun day spent in the car.

Oh, and look at all the snow!!!

Christmas Nativity

This is the second time we have performed and recorded the Christmas Nativity with the kids. The first year there were only 3 grandkids, Carter, Chloe and Spencer. They acted out all the parts, or at least we forced them to dress up as the parts. :) This year we had 9 grandkids so we added the 3 wisemen and three little angels to our existing cast of Mary, Joseph and angel/shepherd/wiseman Carter.

They did pretty well performing out their parts. Thank you to Travis who does all the filming and editing, he creates a magical video that really brings the spirit of Christmas.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was a fun day. Mason was up a lot of the night throwing up, so Matt and I were pretty exhausted after being up much of the night. Carter was frustrated during the night because he woke up after the commotion from Mason and figured that Santa wasn't going to come if Mason didn't go to sleep. Everyone finally got a little bit of sleep and then still woke up early to go downstairs to see if Santa brought presents.

Sure enough he had come bearing gifts. After everyone gathered downstairs, the gift opening and exchanging began. At one point I could tell Chloe wasn't feeling well either. She eventually got up and went to the bathroom to throw up. She is so well mannered when it comes to vomiting...she carefully leans over the toilet and throws up. Sorry to be so graphic. Anyway, she threw up a few times and then said she was done. As she got up to go back to the present fest, she looked at me and cried out, "It is so sad that I am sick on Christmas." She is really too cute for words. She seemed to get better after that.

However, Mason sat on my lap quite listless most of the morning. Poor little guy, did not feel well. After the unwrapping was finished, we had a nice breakfast that Matt made of breakfast burritoes. I found myself back in bed exhausted after a long night and I didn't feel myself.

Lance spent all day preparing the most delicious Christmas dinner ever. It was fabulous. Wow, what a day...lots of presents, sleeping and eating. Sounds like Christmas to me! :)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we ate lots of delicious finger foods and decorated the pinion pine Christmas Tree in the basement of Memaw's home. We all sang Christmas songs together and then opened up our new pajamas. The grandkids all looked so cute in their new pajamas. Oh, we can't wait for Santa to come!!

The real fun was had after the kids went to sleep! :)We saw a lot of candy being exchanged...and oh, the elves were busy.

Santa Comes to Visit

Tonight was a really special night. After dinner, we were getting ready to go to see Christmas lights and all of a sudden Santa came to Memaw's house to visit the kids! Chloe went running right up to give him a hug and welcome him. He sat down and had each of the grandkids come sit on his lap to let him know what they wished for Christmas. He brought a cute little elf with him to hand out candy canes.

Chloe wanted a watch and a cell phone. Carter was too shy to go sit on his lap, until we asked him to hold Josie since she was afraid. Afraid is a kind way of putting it...She was terrified and kept screaming every time she looked in his direction. Carter wanted a watch and then cried because he wanted to tell him a puppy, but was afraid that everyone would laugh. (He is so sensitive.) Mason sat on his lap just fine, but didn't say anything of course. (He doesn't talk much.)

After Santa left, Chloe came running up to me and said, "Mom, I think he is the 'real Santa' because he has a big belly!" She was definately convinced that this was true. Carter proceeded to tell her that it wasn't the real Santa and then the arguing began...

It continued as we all got in the cars to drive out to the South Hills where they have a really neat Christmas light display. We got out and walked around and looked at all the fun Christmas decorations, when we ran into Santa again...and got another candy cane. Wow! We just kept running into Santa everywhere...He is a VERY busy man this time of year! At the end of the display, there is usually a camel that the kids can feed and see up close. This year, my kids first year to see the camel, he was home sick. The kids were disappointed, but hopefully he gets better so they can see him another year.

Decorating the Missionary Tree

Our family has always loved missionaries. When Kipp first went on his mission to Okinawa Japan, we hung his missionary tag on our Christmas tree. From that point on, my parents began their collection of Missionary Tree-Tag Ornaments, which became quite a treasure to them. My dad would always place Kipp's tag at the top and then place Alice's, Travis's and Matt's right below it.

We had fun decorating the Christmas Tree this year in memory of my dad and the grandkids had a great time helping.

Enjoy the slideshow.

Long Trip to Idaho

After spending weeks preparing for this 2 week Christmas adventure, we were finally on our way. We started out on the 19th of December and drove the 5 hour trip to Flagstaff, AZ. My mom lives in Flagstaff and is moving to Idaho...so we spent the morning of the 20th loading up the big Uhaul. (Happy Anniversary Matt!)

Moving at Christmas time seems to be a subconscious tradition that has begun to form in our family. I say subconscious, because who would consciously do this to themselves...let alone, their family. I know...it is bad timing and we told mom that she was done moving...she would have to die in her home in Idaho! Not literally, of course. Matt and I alone, have moved 5 times during this holiday in the 11 years we have been married. We also try to squeeze in an anniversary on the 20th of December amidst all the chaos. I am starting to wonder if we somehow, subconsciously enjoy chaos! We did seem to notice that there are other crazy people out there who were moving this holiday also.

We drove all day Saturday and stayed the night at some friends in Utah. We were up again early Sunday morning and drove the rest of the way to Idaho, with about 6 - 12 inches of snow to welcome us home. It reminded us of almost 5 years earlier when we woke up to 12 inches of snow the day we were moving mom out...interesting times.

Christmas was an experience. After traveling for 2 days, we spent the next 3 days cleaning, unpacking, making repairs where needed, decorating for Christmas and cleaning some more. It was nice for all 4 siblings to be at home with mom. We had some crazy emotions flying around, with dad's death being so recent and everything seeming to happen all at once. It was nice to be with family, but I hope that next time we get together, we can be a little more relaxed, emotionally stable, and have less work to do, so that we can really enjoy each other's company.

I am grateful for the feeling of a "White Christmas" this year. We had lots of snow and blizzards that we came across in traveling and while we were there. It brought a very cozy feeling.

After Christmas, my little family stayed another week to help my mom paint and get some more things organized and in order in her home. It was nice to be able to help her...she has a big job taking care of this home alone. She is a tough farm woman though, and can do it!

Looking back, I feel grateful for a chance to be together with family. I love my family dearly and appreciate who they are individually. I look forward to the next Christmas we can all be together...it seems like as we get older the years go by and time slips away faster than we can control. May we all be happy, healthy, and safe. :)