The Dunes

The Lindbloms were planning a New Years trip to the dunes. I was not keen on spending a ridiculous amount of money renting a RZR and getting a hotel room, but that's what happened. I'm not opposed to the dunes, per se, but it's not exactly my thang either. It's basically expensive camping in the sand while the men have fun driving their toys. Travis likes it, but it's not his passion (unless this last trip was a conversion story for him), so I don't see how we can justify the money when we never spend that kind of money on family vacations anyway. Maybeeee one day when we hit gold (ahem, still probably not), but we'll call this excursion worth it in the name of extended family time. Just sad that Marcie didn't come at the last minute due to contractions and fear of having a baby either in the sand or at the Yuma Medical Center. Not sure which would be worse. ;)

Two people that were sure glad we went were these two boys! We had been telling them for months that we weren't going, then..... we were there. It was like Christmas all over again!

 What is it about Jefferson holding a scared Olive after her traumatic incident with other campers' dogs that is so darn sweet?!

 "The Lips" made an appearance!

 Dana came up for Friday, since our family brought two of her boys, and Olive was taken by her. But who isn't? Dana sparkles. 

 Olive went on a few putt putt rides... one of which was to Duners Diner with my mom behind the steering wheel. When Grandma is driving, you know it's going to be a smooth, safe ride. But Grandma still didn't think that was safe enough for MY baby bump, so I was sidelined. 

 Friday night we had some pre-New Years fireworks!

 And I tried my hand at chili cheese fries in the campfire. Note to self... bring long tongs next time! I'm lucky Casey and Travis don't value their knuckle hairs as much as I do!

 I guess Lindi didn't even come out of her camper the first day, so I was glad Olive convinced her to come out and play in the dirt! Grandma bought some toy ATV's that provided hours of entertainment.

 While almost everyone else went to lunch at Duners Diner on Saturday, I saw my chance to finally get a little ride in the RZR. Travis took me out on what was truly a TAME drive on some nearby hills. I swear my body gets 10x the jostling when I exercise. Then he asked me if I wanted to try driving. I immediately said no. Zero interest. Then... 3% interest crept up and I surprised myself by switching him seats. As I started across the flat "drags" I asked him if there were any rules I should be aware of. He said, "Yes. You have to go faster than this."

Haha. I guess I take after Grandma more than I think.

 Definitely the best part of the trip was all the girl talk, card games and endless munchies. 

The great weather was a plus too! It's usually so darn cold and windy, but besides the rain on Friday afternoon, it was sunny and beautiful. 

 The whole gang...Shumways, Bartons and Lindbloms!

 As the men went out on the last ride of the day, I got to snuggle Miss Della while watching a cotton candy sunset. I guess it was a pretty good trip after all. ;)

 The 20 minute drive from the dunes to Yuma for dinner brought on this scene. When Olive's 3 chins make an appearance, you know she's tuckered out! I just hoped Weston's kinked neck allowed him to keep breathing!

We caravan-ed home with everyone else in the family and pulled in around 10:30pm. I got the kids in bed and showered while Trav took the RZR to my parent's house to fix the trailer. By the time he got back, he was stepping out of the shower when I looked at my phone and realized it was almost midnight. I found a countdown on my phone and when it was 10 seconds left to the new year, I walked into the bathroom saying, "5,4, 3, 2, 1... Give me a kiss." 

And then we went to bed. 

Welcome, 2017!!!

Christmas

I wasn't going to do a Christmas card! No new members of the family.. no new family picture.. it was time to simplify.

That logic held out until 2 weeks before the 25th. 

The itch had to be scratched. 

I spent a day finding a template, writing a card and getting it ordered. There's always time for that two weeks before Christmas, you know.

And it wasn't until AFTER Christmas and all the cards had been mailed that a friend brought one teeny, tiny fact to my attention.

I had 2017 all over by 2016 card. 

What in the?!!!

Bewildered and mystified at my stupidity, it took a few seconds for this abhorrent news to sink in. 

How could I have done this?! Bahhhhh!!!! 

Nothing annoys me more than spelling or grammatical errors (not so much in small things like texts, or I may even include this blog as well since it's all I can do to get it written.. no time for rereads and corrections) but in Christmas cards, announcements, signs, or anything more professional or permanent, it drives me up the wall!!!

Then I remembered...

When I was picking out a template on the Photo Affections website, I liked this one because it had so many picture slots and included hashtags... which I knew I wanted to tie into the written portion. The thing is, you can't change any of the writing on the front except your family name. So the #twentyseventeen was there to stay. And when my eyes glazed over it, it didn't register that it was the wrong year. (Because why would it be? They were selling Christmas cards for this year!) I guess it planted itself in my subconscious though as I wrote the backside.

Pfffffff. I have a bone to pick with Photo Affections and my failing mind.  

On Christmas Eve, Santa's elves needed some time to replace the trampoline mat and net, so I took the kids to see Sing at the theater. Poor Travis had been sick for a couple of days and had spent the whole day on the couch. Literally the minute we left so he could go outside and fix up the tramp, all hail broke loose on Gilbert. And not just torrential rain, but huge, cold winds. The kids and I were literally screaming as we ran sideways through the storm and into the theater. And I guess the moment he was done repairing, the storm left. Merry Christmas to Trav.

I made the kids stay in the car so they couldn't see the new and improved Christmas present waiting for them in the backyard, as we picked up Trav to head to his parents. The annual Evans Christmas Eve party was commencing. We had Flora specials (chimichangas), sang Christmas songs, had a family talent show and the kids opened their new PJ bottoms sewn by Grandma. Joshua was released from the hospital for two days to spend Christmas at home, even though his numbers weren't up and typically this wouldn't have happened. The kids swarmed him and he seemed to be in awe of the tree, presents and his surroundings. 

Collin represented by playing his piano piece, then Weston and Olive gave an impromptu rendition of Jingle Bells.

Nativity time! The angels were just so angelic. :) 

And Collin was over the moon that HE got to be Joseph.

I felt bad later because I was pretty grinchy that night. I was just so.dang.TIRED!!!! Of everything!! I've never felt quite this annoyed by the end of December. I mean, it's all good things but it's EXHAUSTING. The baking, the neighbor gifts, the teacher gifts, the shopping, the family parties, the service projects, trying to buy thoughtful presents for your kids, siblings, cousins, parents and spouse, the ward party, the work party, the school parties, the preschool singing, the piano recital, the decorating, the Grinch dinner, the gingerbread decorating, the Christmas crafts, the Christmas cards, the temple lights, the elf appearances, the advent calendar, the missionary attempts, trying to remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas. On top of normal cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry, dinner making, errand running, bread making. I feel like I deserve a week in a mental institution afterward just to relax and be spoon fed! Amiright?! I know every other mother out there is no exception to this list. So why do I get so grumpy? I'm happy in the moment of it all. I love doing each of those things individually. But at the end of the month, the culmination of it all makes me crankier than Eeyore. I have GOT to find a way to simplify next year. Someone help me!

When we got home it was quick baths, sprinkling the reindeer dust and setting out cookies for Santa before bedtime! 

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles.. ONE goal I had came true. I had NO gifts to wrap on Christmas Eve. Instead, we turned on National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and watched about 1/2 before turning in for the night at a cozy 10:30pm. 

The boys came flying out of their rooms when their alarm clocks let them at 7am and then we woke up a begrudging Olive who apparently wanted some more sleep.

Stocking gifts first, before quickly making it through the rest of the piles. I was proud of myself for sticking to just a few presents: A Wear, a Want, a Need, a Read. 

Santa brought the boys Penny Skateboards and Olive a pink bike. (Weston's old strider bike, painted pink.)

They each got a book, new Nike shoes and an activity tracker watch that tells them how many steps they've taken. They also got Pokemon cards and a Wubble in their stocking. 

Olive got a new doll stroller, car seat carrier, Sofia the First purse and gloves and a Barbie horse and carriage. 

Travis got a few thoughtful items from Collin. ;)

As well as some new shoes, shirts and jogger pants. His big gift was waiting at my parent's house.

I got a my eyebrows (haha) and a Fitbit! That was a surprise! Not something I had ever mentioned wanting but I was super excited!

We finished up in time for a quick bowl of cereal then a mad dash to get ready for 9:00am church at my parent's ward! My dad was speaking so we thought it would be nice to go hear him. If it weren't for Travis, we would have never made it in time, but he was a miracle worker that morning. And I was SO GLAD. My dad gave a beautiful talk, the music was incredible and it felt so good to be in our "home" ward on Christmas. My heart was so full.

Everyone gathered at my parent's house afterward and we did breakfast first. That was MY favorite present. :)

The boys got a train gingerbread set from my parents along with walkie talkies. They were obsessed and all we heard were beeping noises the rest of the day.

Olive got a Dentist Barbie set and Lindi got an Eye Doctor Set! Too cute! As well as a Peppa Pig Bus set. Oink!

Craig's Chewbaca mask was a hit. Scarlett especially loved it, haha. I was really impressed that I knew the name. 

Craig and Jeffers got inflatable lips chairs! We could have given them a different name but we are mature adults. 

This was the best! Casey just looooves his dancing. 

And Trav finally got his grand finale. Go ASU! 

Miss Della had the most rockin' bell bottom jump suit on AND gave me some smiles!!!! Ahhh!

Grandma and Grandpa came over later and we did a second round on the food before switching to the Evans around 5pm.

We were the first ones there so the kids got dibs on the bouncy house outside!

There were ham and rolls to munch on and more gift exchanging. The boys got more Pokemon cards, to their soul's delight. And Olive got a dolly. 

Grandma crocheted everyone their own owls. 

If I was the Grinch the night before, then my heart truly grew 10 sizes by the end of actual Christmas day. It was a complete turnaround. Everything felt worth it, just for the moments we had that day. I loved having Christmas on Sunday. Church, music, uplifting words, family, food and love. I was so so happy. And resolved that yes, I would do it all again next year. ;) I'm more blessed than I deserve.