After Christmas and New Years

The day after Christmas is was time to make good on some of Travis' IOU's. We headed to San Tan mall and Trav braved the Apple store while I took the boys to get some gelato. I have wanted to try Frost for forever! The hazelnut didn't disappoint, but next time I'd rather not have a stomach full of Gecko Grill when I eat it! Soooo full. 

We left San Tan with a happy man. I think his I-pad purchase rates up there with his first I-phone and  flat screen TV. Scooper exciting!

We hustled the boys into the car and hit the road to pick up Olive at my mom's house. We had gone a couple of miles on busy, main roads when I heard Weston cry out that he wanted a drink. I turned to hand him his waterbottle and did a half-mouth gape when he wasn't there. I flipped around to see both boys nonchalantly chillin' in the back seat. What the $%@! Trav and I each had thought the other one buckled them in. Guess not. Good parent awards >>>> us.

Our whole family decided to meet at San Tan Flats for dinner that night. It's quite a drive to the boonies, but I was so excited to finally be going to a place I'd heard so much about! You order inside, but the seating is outside, situated around a small stage and dance floor. There are fire pits everywhere to warm up on and roast mallows. I LOVED it all!! Yummy steaks, live country music and dancing! Jeffy even honored me with a slow dance. This place is so fun!

Reece's S'more, get in my belly!

The next morning, we met up with Reddin, Karen and their girls for a little hike. "Little" my hiney. Now, I WAS offered a choice, but I felt like choosing the one miler was a cop out, so we picked the 1.7 miler, each way. Olive screamed the first quarter mile. Love me some nursing on the trail. At least Collin was a mountain goat. That boy can hike. He was in the lead the whole time, then practically ran down afterward. I was as cranky as a rattlesnake by the time we were fairly close to the top. Problem was, we were "almost there" for 45 min. 

I feel pretty sheepish complaining now! My pack mule was the one who should have been complaining!

All in all, I'm glad we did it and got to spend some time with the Evans. Maybe next time, I'll just take the cop out hike. :)

After the hike I ran around doing some mad errands, before picking up this cutie for a night out. 

About a year ago we went out to dinner, just the two of us, and I loved it. It's taken a whole year to do it again. We got some sushi at RA, then blizzards at DQ. I love my big family. My parents have sacrificed their money, physical and emotional health to raise us, and I'll be forever grateful. Jefferson is a one of a kind. He was meant for great things. I'm so glad we got to have some one on one time. Our talks are my favorite and I'm so glad he puts up with me! :)

Saturday morning, we finally made it happen!! Our second, Tempe town lake, family bike ride! Paula watched Olive and we borrowed some bikes and a trailer for the boys. The weather was gorgeous and the views... well, we have some great behinds! :)

We rode a mile into Tempe and got 5 Guys for lunch. It was such a blast! I'm so glad my mom had the idea. It was a great morning!

That night was Paula's birthday party! For quite a while now, she has hosted a Bunco party to celebrate. Now that Trevor is married, we tipped in numbers over 12, so we added an extra table and got some more people to join us. Marcie was one of them! On zero notice she came over to fill in our last spot. It was a really fun night!

Sunday night it was time to head home. One week off of work without pay was about as much as we could manage. I thought I'd be ready to go home, but I for sure WASN'T!! It was non-stop good times and I was fighting sad and lonely feelings driving away. I wished we had planned to stay for New Years. :(

So it's a good thing for friends, or else I probably would've cried myself to sleep on New Year's Eve!

I got all the fixings for sushi and invited the Shaheen's over and a new couple, Adam and Samantha, that we hadn't met yet. I was good friend's with Samantha's aunt in Farmington, so she was the one that told me her niece had just moved to Gallup. We thought it would be a fun night to get to know them! 

Now, we've made sushi in the past, but this time I wanted to kick it up a notch. I want the deep fried sushi. I read up about it online and bought the tempura batter and panko crumbs. I also bought a few new ingredients to make the rice with. While I was watching YouTube videos about how to do it, I kept thinking that this probably wasn't going to work out. It just always looks easier when someone else is doing it. And this didn't even look easy then! But miracle of miracles!!! It worked!! I was a little dumbfounded and then supremely excited! I LOVE good sushi!!

The Wilke's left a little after 10pm to get their kids to bed, but the Shaheen's stayed to ring in the New Year. What on earth will 2014 bring?!

New Year's day I essentially slept until 1pm while Trav wrangled the kids. Then he slept all afternoon while we cleaned! Collin usually fights me when it comes to chores, but this time he was on board! And he was actually really helpful! (Weston... not so much... but of well.) 

Together, we took down all the Christmas decorations, put them away, dusted, cleaned, finished unpacking from our trip, got the kitchen looking awesome, and picked up the whole house! It felt soooooo good. We worked from 1-8pm. Decorating for Christmas is so much fun, but I think taking it down and starting fresh is even better.

Of course, one thing had to stay up.... I absolutely LOVE Christmas cards. So I'm keeping my friends and family around for a while longer. After all, it gets kind of lonely out here. :)

Christmas

We're so grateful the Evans' delayed their Christmas morning so we could take over with our little family Christmas. I think this was the first year that I was really sad I couldn't do Christmas in my own house. Of course I didn't want to be in Gallup! But it would just be so much fun to create memories in your own house. I wonder if that will ever happen!

Just when you think you've done everything you need to do for Christmas, you remember you forgot to get something for the baby! So last night, I snagged an old toy out of my mom's basement to stuff in Olive's stocking. Just in case the boys were concerned she was left out. And hope they don't recognize it as one they already play with! Plus, I forgot to get stuff for Trav and my stocking. Poor Travis was pitied by Aubrey and got an assortment of Lindor truffles stuffed in there. Obviously, I'm really good at all of this.

All Weston wanted for Christmas was a "Mighty Mega Monster Truck". (There is an old fashioned show on Netflix called just that, that he loves. And now assumes all big trucks have the proper name of Mighty Mega Monster Trucks.) 

Well, it wasn't super huge, but it makes noises and rolls along at the push of a button, so I think he was pleased.

I also got him a soft puppy that barks and wiggles when you pull the rope in his mouth. I was SURE he'd love it. He loves all animals, stuffed and real. But he wasn't too excited. Go figure.

Both boys got Ninja Turtle paraphernalia. Turtle power!

And Collin's heart wished for Optimus Prime. (Talking about it was literally the ONLY way I got him to hold still and be distracted while getting his allergy blood draw.) This thing has no less than 20 complicated moves to get him to transform. I'm going to let Travis be the keeper of those moves. Ain't nobody got time for dat!

The boys also got a pile of books that I think I'm more excited about than them, a couple of song effect puzzles, two games, some toy motorcyles, play doh (which they say play doh doh doh...  like the commercial. I guess they think that's really what it's called!), and Legos. 

My big present was.... a camera!!!! Fist pump!!! I'm soooo dang excited! Megan sent Travis the link for the camera she knew I'd love. And best part is, I have someone to teach me the ropes! 

Then my stinker husband totally surprised me with a new, gold watch and necklace. I love both. Megan helped him get the necklace I've been wanting. It's just a simple chain, with three gold pennants on it, with each of our kid's first initial on them. He also surprised me with a wheat grinder! Seriously, I was half excited, half slightly miffed! He spoils me way more than I need. He has always been this way. I feel lucky and guilty at the same time. He has a heart of gold. 

Travis's big surprise was kind of lame. I got his diploma custom framed to hang in his office. I've never done custom framing before.... um expensive. Yikes. But I think it turned out nicely. The other downside... I couldn't bring it with us. So he got a picture of his present on Christmas. Lame wife. His other presents we shopped for later that week. An I-pad and a new suit.

Olive was not forgotten at Grandma's house! Her first purse, keys and cell phone. So funny! 

David's idol, Ron Burghundy.

Megan made this template that we adapted for my Dad's Priesthood line of Authority. I got it custom framed and really loved how it turned out.
Too bad it wasn't ready by Christmas! :( It was a nice, 3 days after Christmas, present.

This was David's card to my parents, haha.

This looks super non-appetizing, but I promise, it was divine. I look forward to sausage, biscuits and gravy every Christmas!

Jeffy is turning into such a pretty guy.

Nephew love!

After our morning at my parent's house, we got dressed and had lunch at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They had on old, silent home movies that were really fun to watch. Then my Aunt MaryAnn played the piano and my mom played the violin in a little duet for my grandparents. 

That evening was spent opening presents at the Evans' house. I'm still waiting to get the big family picture of all of us in our matching pajama pants. 

Travis got just what he asked for... food storage! Exciting! And I got a Forever 21 gift card and some nice food storage containers. From the sibling exchange with me family, Trav got a shotgun case to go with his new, fancy schmancy shotgun that Bron gave him. I'm glad he got something exciting on Christmas! And I got a shirt and necklace. We were spoiled for sure. Sometimes I think I just need to pinch myself. I'm so grateful for two wonderful families to spend Christmas with! We are blessed beyond imagination.

Before Christmas

The day before we left for Thanksgiving, we busted out the tree. Last year, we finally broke down and bought this "big" tree, after 6 years of a 4 ft. one. This year, it seems we're back to a "little" tree, at least from the perspective of our ginormous living room. Honestly, it looked so skinny and sad compared to the vaulted ceiling and shear space it failed to fill. And it wasn't til a couple weeks later that I realized we forgot the ribbon to wrap around it. Next year's goal: spruce up the pine! 

OK, this is both pathetic and monumental.... my first year using address labels!! What a difference it made! Thanks to a good friend, Megan, who taught me how to create and print labels from home, Christmas cards got 80% easier this year! And she even stifled the mocking laughter that I deserved for not even realizing this was a possibility. I thought you had to order them from a company. Ya learn something every day.

I also owe my entire card to Megan. I wasn't going to do one this year. At least, that's what I told myself multiple times over the past several months. In all honesty, our move to Gallup was one of the hardest and most depressing things I've ever done. To be brief, I wasn't "dealing". Life was too much. Add a 3rd kid, baby weight that no one wants documented and no extra time and the card was just going to have to be that superfluous thing that fell by the wayside. I convinced myself that it was all for the best. 

Then I found myself at the Children's Place, throwing a couple extra things in the bag, "just in case" we take family pictures. 

I expressed my non-desire for a card to Megan and listened semi-attentively at her encouragement to just take a quick picture anyway. 

Then one Sunday morning, we woke up to fresh, white snow and I wondered if it wouldn't be the perfect backdrop to a previously non-desired family picture. 

I pushed the thought away, but not far enough to not mention it to Megan. 

She was all for it. 

Of course. :)

So a bit after church we interrupted their Sunday afternoon to clomp through the snow in their backyard and set up some chairs in the wilderness behind their house. The snow was falling gently and I swear.... it didn't even feel cold. Perfect, confusing, conditions. Which worked out great, since poor Olive didn't have a long sleeved dress!

And then Megan worked her Megan magic, and 10 min. later we had our perfect family picture. 

How could I even express my gratitude?! 

(She also formatted and printed them. Given that this is the umpteenth time she's done our pictures/ and or something incredibly nice for us, I believe I owe her my next child or at least a kidney.)

OK, on to more pre-Christmas happenings!

Another viewing of Christmas Vacation... my all time favorite Christmas movie. "It's good, it's good."

Possibly the most money I've ever spent on groceries in one visit! I was making freezer meals for my mom for her gift, we were feeding both sets of missionaries, and doing several other Christmas activities that of course needed treats! No room for kids or carseats on this trip.

We made gingerbread houses with the kids one weekend. I love these pictures that... can you guess???.. Megan took. :)

Us adults, made one too. I know... adorable.

Our ward Christmas party turned out nice. We had a ham and potato dinner and a program, followed by a Santa visit! Score.... no need to go to Bass Pro Shop! Kids saw Santa once. Done!

The primary sang a song for the program. Weston wandered on stage with Collin even though the nursery wasn't included. He probably sang more than Collin did.

The week before Christmas, we had a green, Grinch dinner with the missionaries! It was a lot of work, but pretty fun! Of course, we need our crazy, Who Hair first! Weston face kills me.

We had a yummy salad, Who-Hash potatoes (just cheesy potatoes made with hash browns), a Rare Who Roast Beast, Grinch punch (Sprite and green sherbet), rolls, and Who- Pudding (aka a regular ol' trifle). The boys were so excited and loving all of it... until they had to eat it. Someday, I'm going to have kids that love my food, I swear!

One afternoon, we had Lilly and Rubi over to frost gingerbread cookies and paint Christmas ornaments. 

Again with Weston's face... I mean smile. Priceless.

Nailed it.

Could I love this face more??!!

I love pictures like these! You've got everyone, but one, looking at the camera. Then you get that one. Haha!

Collin's school had a Christmas program one night at the local cathedral.

When we walked in I immediately thought of that scene in Home Alone! 

Weston was very concerned about the Jesus hanging on the cross. He looked at me so concerned and asked if Jesus was hurt. 

This is his latest... grabbing us both by the neck and pulling his in close until we make a Weston sandwich. I love Weston sandwiches.

Our little performers! Looks like they're off to their first school dance. :)

So after LOTS of cleaning, packing, organizing and WORK we were off to Arizona. Travis just worked Friday morning, so we could make it in time for the Lindblom family party at my parent's house that night. All was good until we hit Payson. Oil spill on the road completely closed the Beeline for 2 hours!! Ahhhh!! So frustrating. We basically hung out in a Sonic parking lot for 2 hours with ancy, loud kids and a crying baby until we were cleared to go. So we got into Mesa at 8pm and missed everything except the hayride.

Always a good day when I get to see my seesters! At least a few Lindbloms hung around to visit and the boys got to see their cousins.

On Saturday we were looking for a way to get our exercise in. Trav and I are a week shy of doing 10 weeks of T-25 every morning, so I guess we're on a bit of an exercise kick. The Mesa High track was covered in soccer players, but the Mountain View one was free!

I could eat her up!!

Afterward, we got yummy Yoko, then Marcie and I got our nails done! My first time doing Jellish. 

That night, was the Evans family party at Carrie's stake center. We ate homemade Cafe Rio and had a program. Olive got to help lead the music.

On Sunday, after church, most of the family coincidentally convened at Mom's for lunch. Christopher was cooking up some mean "bean flatties" as Trav's family calls them. Aka, bean quesadillas. "Leave the neck for me, Clark."

(A homeless man wandered in. We asked him to kindly return David.)

That night was the Udall family party at my mom's house. Soup and rolls and sides. This party has my favorite program... a set outline of Christmas songs mingled with scriptures and a gift exchange.

My mom also played the violin! She played all growing up, then gave it up 30 years ago. I haven't heard her play in my entire life. She played a few hours earlier in Relief Society, then again tonight. It was really special to be able to hear her play. Never give up on your talents!

Grandma Ann and Grandpa Jess with all their grands and greats. I don't even know how many there are!

What happens when Jeffy gets a hold of your camera.

After the party cleared out and it was just us Lindbloms left, it was time for... that's right... the AfTeR PaRtY! 

Jeffy starting us out with a few PeeWee Herman moves.

Get your hands in the air! This was seriously so much fun. I LOOOOVE dancing. 

Even my dad was compelled to join in, against his will. :)

You can kind of see Craig, motioning to Casey. Yeah, that didn't happen. Surprise, surprise! ;)

Caught several siblings with my kiddos. It's so fun to be a part of a big family.

My boys LOVE Craig. 

(I caught Collin telling Lilly after school yesterday that we were going to Arizona again and that meant he gets to see CRAIG!)

Monday night we all met at Culver's for burgers, then went down to the temple to see the lights. Madness. Pure madness. You'd think there were a lot of Mormons in Mesa or something.

Tuesday night was Christmas Eve and this was the only picture I got. Finally, one of our kids happens to be the baby at Christmas and scores the role of Jesus... just to scream hysterically through it. She was doing great up until then but it was clearly her bed time. Payton was being such a good Mary too. Collin was pretty stoked to be Joseph. For our part of the program, Wayne played the piano and we sang Christmas time, a song from the Friend in like 1987 or something. It was one of my mom's favorites. Trevor and Gretchen chimed in via Facetime from Cali to do their song. 

Then it was back to my mom's for some last minute gift wrapping and a bit more National Lampoons. I tell you what, I wouldn't trade it for anything, but Christmas is a lot of work!