Christmas

Christmas was extra special for us this year. We were blessed enough that we were able to go back home to Idaho for Christmas. It was important for us to be with family this year, so we made some sacrifice and hopped on a plane.

We were able to put all the kids' presents in two large suitcases, (really pushing the 50lb limit.) And with those suitcases, four carry-on's, one backpack, and a couple of jackets, we left 77 degrees and flew right in to snow! But there is such beauty in snow covered mountains we quickly got over our chills. We surprised Grandma K our first night. She is a great hostess, even when she wasn't planning on being the hostess! The next day we went to Pocatello and finished up our Christmas shopping. Kevin and Ann loaned us a car so we could get up to Rigby for Christmas Eve. It was wonderful seeing the family and I think Grandma B was happy we made it.

Gracie loved every minute of the party. She got up to sing the songs, even when she didn't know them. I even convinced her to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". She is so darn cute!

Coda got up to sing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". We have been practising a lot. A couple of weeks ago he really had issues with that first line. It came out "Rudolph the Red Reined Nosedeer". So cute! One day on the way to karate he was just a singing when I couldn't help but giggle at him. I tried to help him sing it the right way, but he just got more mad. And it didn't help I tried to video tape him! I think for the most part, Coda enjoyed the view of the party on his Dad's lap.

It was no surprise that while singing "Here Comes Santa Claus" that old Kris Kringle showed up. Gracie was a little hesitant and needed me to walk her up to the jolly old man, but she got up on his lap with no problem. Coda walked right up there, I think it helps that Santa had a present in his hand, because this never works at the mall.

And although my husband and I agreed that there would be no presents between us, he snuck something in the present pile for me anyway. He is so sweet! I was so excited to get the movie "Prince of Persia", I came right home and put it on my iphone.

That night we went up to my parents cabin. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins. We even ventured out into the deep snow a couple of days to go sledding. The kids didn't have snow clothes, so we made due. The first day Coda refused to wear the pink snow pants, so he wore a small pair of blue pants, only they were too short and his boots were full of snow. On the second day, Gracie didn't go out, so he borrowed the pair she was wearing. On the third day, we finally grabbed a large pair and because the belt was broken we did a make-shift using a kitchen towel. He didn't mind, he was itching to get on the hill. Head first every time, and it wasn't a slow hill. We had to fight to get him to come in. Gracie went down once by herself, but then she spent the rest of the time eating snow, mostly white, I hope.
Justin couldn't keep his eyes off the hills. He really wished he would have had his skis, but they don't have chair lifts up there. He was convinced that he would hike up the hill...if only, if only.
We finally warmed up with a nice cup of hot chocolate. We spent most of our time at the cabin playing a pool tournament, the wii, or cards. This year was the first year Grandma B joined us for Christmas. She schooled all of us in the pool. It was so great to have her with us.

We spent the New Year with the Mennear family. It is terrible to say, but I don't have any pictures of them, not even of the cutest almost two year old ever! Tayden is such a little man. He made me tired every time I looked at him. He went from one pop can, to the next pop can. Lets just say the little boy loves his soda! We had a "grown up" dinner with Scott, Stacey, Dev, Russ and JoDell, while Ann wrestled with all of our kids (six under the age of 5, thanks Ann.)

Just a short story about dinner. There is something about eating out that just gets to Justin's stomach. Well he disappeared for about thirty minutes. We all figured he was in the bathroom when we get a text, "I'm at Big Lots". What? We thought he was in bathroom!? Here, we were all waiting around for him and he is shopping!?? Well, come to find out some guy was camped out in the only mens stall in Sizzler and pacing just wasn't cutting it any more. Justin had to make a mad dash for the nearest restroom! So, Justin missed half of the dinner taking care of other things. It was hilarious! Probably more so for us than for him!

Kevin was a master chef on his smoker and made some incredible meals. Ann treated us to Hirer's, where the Canadian H burger melted in my mouth...I was in heaven! Thanks again Ann.

We finished our vacation back at Grandma K's house. This time she was expecting us and prepared feast after feast! All our hearts warmed to see Grandpa K teaching Coda how to play pool. He had about a two hour lesson and loved every minuted of it.

I have to say that this was the best Christmas I have ever had. Spending time with family was the greatest gifts I could have asked for.