New Years with the Shaws!

You know that first day back from a big trip?? The one where you're completely pooped and your house looks like a bomb went off, even though it was perfectly clean when you left it? And you don't want to do ANYTHING? Yeah, that one. I hate that day.

 

I think the kids felt the vibes. Collin asked to write on my whiteboard, then presented me with this and said, "Mom, know what I miss?" :(

We wouldn't see the Shaheens for 2 more weeks!!

 

I also realized I was several chapters away from making my goal of finishing the Book of Mormon. So late Monday night, when I needed to be cleaning, I read. Always a good choice. It felt great to finally finish it, cover to cover. Hadn't done that since 2010. I love this book. Sometimes I get a little frustrated with the constant cycle of horrible wickedness just years after conversion and peace, but God's love and mercy is always evident.

 

Ohhh man, the motivation to get my buns in gear! With the Shaws coming the next day, I really wanted my house super clean. Getting 4,000+ square feet clean with three little kids running around is impossible!! But I sure tried! Add in the laundry, grocery shopping, unpacking, cooking etc. I was near exhaustion by Tues. night when they rolled in. But all that went out the window when I saw Rach!

It had been an entire year!! Bahh!! I just love how it all goes right back to normal though, like no time has passed at all.

 We had elk steaks for dinner and Bron came over too. I'll have to bite my lip from calling Travis's church calling bad names, since he had to leave for a couple of hours right before we ate!! Grrr.

The kids ran around together and we talked the night away. We SO missed Megan!! We weren't complete without her! I seriously think it was after 1am when Bron left and we went to bed. That be LATE for us old timers! Hashtag: worth it.

The next day we feasted on French Toast casserole and freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast, then basically laid around in food comas! Poor Doug had to deal with a flat tire on their car. I made homemade bread for sandwiches for lunch then we went down to the office to give them a tour.
Rachel also cut my hair! I had been debating what to do with it, but it's soooo long. Like 8th grade Stephanie long. I had to do something before it started getting caught in my bum. Kidding, not kidding. ;) And I LOVE what she did. Nothing drastic, but it's lighter and so much easier to comb out now! Thanks, Rach!!
 

That night we partied hard, as it was New Year's Eve! Woot woot! I had a weak moment and bought these stupid horns. Of course they loved them. 

 

We continued tradition and made homemade sushi!! Deep fried is the way to go. Get in my belly!! 

 

I LOVE that she smiles when we take pictures now. Such a cheeser! 

 

After dinner, we lit up the sparklers, pop its and smoke bombs. It was friggin' COLD!!!! I mean, bitter. And it wasn't even midnight, it was like 8pm! I was dancing in place and considered it a great sacrifice to take my hands out of my pockets just to take some pictures.

After that and dessert, we put on this fake, kids countdown on Netflix and let the kids think it was midnight at 9pm. Worked like a charm. 

They were dancing machines! 

Then we poured our sparkling cider and counted down with New York at 10pm. We're lame, but I didn't even care! It was perfect.

There's more than one thing you can do with a wine glass! You'd think we'd actually been drinking... haha

 

 The boys basically conked out after that, but Rach and I chatted until JUST before midnight, then went to bed. Ha! Couldn't have asked for a better way to ring in the New Year! They left early the next morning to finish their drive to Dallas. Soooo glad they made us their in-between stop! Love those people!