And so with a few Christmas songs, interesting books on tape, and loads of sunflower seeds, the kids and I trekked up to Logan. My dad gave me weather updates along the way ... which felt odd. You have to plan things around weather? Oh yeah. I've lived in California too long.
But fortunately we made it before the blizzards began to take over, and settled in to a blissfully almost-complete reunited family. (Minus my hard-working man.) Belle nuzzled Jamie's shoulder for about 10 minutes straight. She knows who to schmooze. Go for the one almost exactly like your mom, but who won't make you do anything. Mac jumped and whooped and wouldn't stay still. Jake got the same treatment. It was heaven.
We spent the next few days preparing for the masses of relatives coming to celebrate their homecoming. We cooked, we cleaned, and cooked some more. And then we partied. Jamie and Jake were awe-inspiring, naturally. Besides their incredible ability to bring the Spirit flooding to a room, they also snuck in some Lord of the Rings quotes. Best sacrament meeting I've been to.
We schmoozed and talked and loved on the family, (haven't seen the Barney's in a-g-e-s) and then breathed a sigh of relief as we had a few days to ourselves before Christmas. We saw the Hobbit, we dominated Sports Academy, we built a snowman, and polished up our Christmas shopping. And whilst shopping, we were blessed with some serious Christmas kindness. A lady and her two children stopped us and said they were performing 26 acts of random kindness in honor of the victims of a horrific school shooting that had happened just days before. They gave Mac and Belle teddy grahams and some sweet words. I tell you, there is some good yet in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it's worth fighting for!
And of couse, we played.
We ate a delicious traditional Thomas Family Sunday Dinner.
We discovered that Santa's house is actually in Nana and Bumpa's neighborhood! Mac was thrilled ... but certainly did not want to meet him.
Still, he's closer than he was last year.
On the day Daddoo would finally join us in Utah, we ran through the SLC Temple lights. Holy smokes. Don't ever do that on the Saturday before Christmas with kids who can't handle the cold. 7 adults on 2 kids almost wasn't enough.
And then Mark was here, and we were complete.
Christmas Eve was spent sledding.
And re-enacting the Nativity.
 |
| Mary and Joseph |
 |
| The Three Wise Men |
 |
| Shepherds |
 |
| Gunn Family performers |
 |
| Wild ride to the stable. |
 |
| Hearing the Good News |
 |
| Cast and crew |
Don't forget cookies, milk, carrots, welcome mat, and opening the fireplace.
And before we knew it, Christmas morning arrived! Belle got us all up at a balmy 6:30 a.m., and nobody complained. Mac was riddled with indecision ... the toys, the toys! But could Santa still be stomping through the house?
It took some convincing, but eventually the place was proven jolly-red-man-free, so we could enjoy our horde.
Note the gypsy pj pants ... a la Espana. Thank you, Elder Jakie!
I got a new camera lense! My stinker husband spent WAY too much on me (oh the joys of a real job!) ... and I am thrilled. I mean, look at the detail on this branch, a solid 300 ft. away!
And so the rest of our Christmas day was spent with me taking pictures and packing up. And taking more pictures.
 |
| Well hello, Mr. Blue eyes. |
 |
| Showing Dad the Palmyra sites and remembering all sorts of awesome details ... you need to talk to this girl. |
 |
| Enjoying the gift he helped me pick out for Bishop Bumpa's office. |
 |
| Senorita Belen and her adorable uncle. We are loving all our Spanish gifts! |
 |
| Head butts farewell. |
And then the job called us back, so after a quick Christmas feast, we were on our way to St. George to have a quick merry visit with the Gunn family.
Mac has been missing Uncle Adam. ("Him throws the ball sooooo faaaaaaast!")
Belle has been missing her biggest fan.
And though our time was too short, it was wonderful.
We love you all, Utah family. Our hearts were filled up and we are still talking about all the good times we had.
And whether or not we should move back to Utah.
No comments:
Post a Comment