Holiday Vacation

The past 2 weeks have been so full of fun but have gone so fast. My only regret is that I didn't have my camera out more. Luckily, Kellie took lots of pictures so I can get some from her, just not in time to get this post off my to-do list.

We had Shawn and Kellie and their family here for a week and it felt like we were on vacation in our own home. We had date nights, shared Christmas, played games and just had a really great time. I loved my time with Kellie learning more about her life in Peru. I have gained a new appreciation for my own ward (in English) and for a carpeted house that feels so cozy and it has renewed in me a gratitude for so many simple things that I have taken for granted.

Some of my favorite moments from that week were watching Nathan and Andie play together. Those two are ADORABLE!! Their imaginations and expressions kept us laughing and truly enjoying the 2-3 year stage. The only thing that comes close to matching the cuteness of Nathan and Andie is Andie's crush on Levi. Her tackling hugs were rewarded with adoring grins from Levi.

The four boys, (Derek, Justin, Brendan and Jeremy) seemed to spend every waking moment together, as well as the moments that they were supposed to be sleeping. They swapped remote control cars, boxing gloves, swords and gameboy systems around like best friends.

After Kellie's family left, Nathan kept moping around the house saying, "where's my Andie, I want Andie". Some of the other kids commented on how empty the house felt without them here. I felt very much the same way. Having them here made this one of our favorite Christmases ever!

Our Christmas was also blessed because we had mom and dad here for 2 days. It was great seeing their expressions when opening their gifts and letting them enjoy the expressions from the kids as they all opened their books and mentally disappeared from the gifting festivities to read, even though there were more gifts under the tree. Mom has certainly picked the best grandma tradition ever to give them books every year!

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Dad's gift from Mom took him from Santa to Stylin'!

I think LeRoy had the most fun when the 3 Elders that were visiting us for the day finally finished their phone calls home and eating. Then they had hours to spend playing pool, foosball and Monopoly.

Once Christmas day was over we settled into a routine of sleeping in, cold cereal for breakfasts, lazing around with our new toys, reading, eating way to much sugar stuff, sledding, movies and staying up way past any normal bedtime routine.

We were having so much fun with Shawn and Kellie here that when they left on the 31st we had trouble coming up with a party for New Year's Eve. LeRoy took the boys to get treats and the best they could come up with was crackers, cheese and oreo's. I huddled in the office doing my own thing, Levi and Erika were at the stake party, the little boys went to bed a little early, and LeRoy, Derek and Justin stayed up until 2:30 am watching movies.

The only little bit of celebration to welcome in a new year happened when some of the families in the neighborhood went around the block banging pans with spoons and yelling "happy new year". My boys went to the door and cheered back with the intention of joining them but with the door open for that short time the freezing weather changed their minds and they headed for the tv once again.

Then I got a call from Josh and in one phone call the party began again. Josh, Trachelle, Samantha, Amberle and Matt showed up Friday afternoon and stayed through Sunday. Can I just say, Wii had fun!!

They brought their new Wii with them and we all played. The kids were great at Lego Star Wars and Mario, the older kids liked the sports pack and in every game that I did on the Wii fit I beat every high score that had been set during the last week. That made me feel great considering I was beginning to feel like a flobby, puffy, holiday mess having done nothing to stay fit during the past 2 weeks. Josh's comment was "it's like having Michael Jordan come to the house and show you know how crappy you are at what you thought you were doing good at". My only advantage is that I have done yoga and pilates and most of Wii fit is based on balance. Believe me, I wouldn't beat anyone at down hill ski jump or hoola hoop if it was to save my life! It was exciting to get 800+ rotations in 4 minutes in hoola hoop, and my hips paid for it the next day, though it was a tad embarrassing doing the hoola hoop with everyone watching.