Here We Go Again!

WOW! We tried to cram everything we could into our luggage, van and two week 'vacation'. It was jam packed and awesome!

We left Friday the 19th after Mike and Tucker got home from basketball practice... okay not right when they got home... I wasn't ready... but we were on the road around 7pm. Mike drove through the night and into the next day and we arrived at G&G Wallace's house on Saturday around 2pm Vegas time. Even with Ilah feeling sick during the night, the kids did wonderfully.

G&G Wallace's was better than a 5 star hotel. Everything was so comfortable and well... perfect. There were even terry cloth robes and slippers in the closet. My favorite amenity, however, was the huge selection of pillows. The kids were thrilled to see a Christmas tree and all of the other decorations.

Grandma had my favorite soft lemon sugar cookies ready and waiting along with so many other delicious treats that she knew we enjoyed. How in the world did she have the time to do it all???

On Sunday we were able to attend the San Miguel ward. I cried just walking in the door of the chapel. Mike and I LOVED being able to briefly visit with so many wonderful friends, examples and leaders. If only we had had more time... We were informed that our old house is empty~ Boy was I tempted :) That ward is full of absolutely amazing people. I came away from church with a desire to be better and do better. I wish I could bottle those feelings and carefully release them as needed.

That night Mom W. prepared Mike's b-day dinner. Grandma's spaghetti and jello cake. Two of our favorites. No matter how hard we try, they're never as good as Mom's when we make them. The highlight of the evening came when Bob presented Mike with the 2009 BK collection. This year instead of only the regular shirts and suit jackets, etc., Bob included a little something special... Thanks Bob for "supporting" Mike in his athletic endeavors - hope you don't mind if I clean and sanitize it first.

Ilah and I fought over holding little Abby. She is beautiful! Henry ran around the house with Shea and Nate as if they've been playing together every Sunday at G&G's. So cool!

Monday morning was spent eating breakfast with our buddies the Edgels. It was fun to meet Jared's wife, Jennifer! They are an adorable couple. I got to have my "Patti" fix... She has not only lifted and guided me, but she's also had a hand in Tucker, Ilah, and Henry's lives. I could sit and listen to Patti's laugh for hours. Henry didn't hesitate to hang out with Jayden and Tucker. (It's funny to me that Henry remembers Tucker's friends, but not any of the little boys he played with before we moved.) When Mike and I decided we'd better finish up some Christmas shopping, Taysom, Tucker and Henry stayed to play video games, basketball and shop (Janea and Taysom). Ilah decided she'd rather go play with her cousins so we took her to Syd and Bob's.

Monday night was spent with our friends the Bennions for dinner and FHE. The food was delicious but the company was even better. Favorites include: listening to Charles play the piano, watch Kate take notes during the prophet/apostle game, marvel over Tiff's calm composure while kid chaos reigned supreme, all of William's (I mean Batman's) expressions, Chuck's infections grin, watching Amanda get the hang of the pat-pat-clap-snap, Hannah's beauty, and meeting Samuel. Thanks guys!

Tuesday the girls and I shopped for their Christmas dresses. Taysom, however, decided to forgo the dress and chose some red high heels instead. She's been wanting some for a while now. The guys relaxed at the house with some movies and horse shoes etc. That night Tucker went to Jayden's to give him an ugly tie for his collection. Luckily, Travis and Jorge were at Jayden's already. Mark and Patti kindly invited them to spend the night. Tucker really lucked out... Thanks guys!

Christmas Eve the Wallace/Keyes group decided to head up to Mt. Charleston for some sledding. Thankfully, Rachel, Jeremy and Bob loaned us some cold weather gear... we really didn't come prepared. It was snowing and cold, but the kids enjoyed several runs down the hill. I nervously watched, praying that no one would end up in the emergency room on Christmas Eve. My prayers were answered.

That night was spent at Syd and Bob's beautiful home for Christmas Eve. It felt a little empty without Jimmy and Tara's group and Chad and Megan's family. We still enjoyed a quick bingo game with Shea and Nate calling the numbers - the white elephant (none of our children cried this year! Maybe we've outgrown that wonderful phase.) - and a brief nativity. Ilah and Henry loved putting on the Mary and shepherd costumes Megan made a few years ago. Taysom and Tucker used parts of the angel and Joseph costume to make it fun for Ilah and Henry. Shea and Nate weren't interested yet. Favorite moment had to be watching Rachel in the Moon Shoes. She is talented and gorgeous!

On our way home to G&G's we stopped for a slurpee. Since there aren't any 7-11's here in Joplin. It was a special treat... present #1.

At G&G's we opened present #2 (PJ's) and quickly changed. I even got some this year. They are soooo comfy! Then Mike shared some tender thoughts while the kids snuggled with G&G.

Christmas Day Favorites:

Karoke!!!!!!

Seeing Curtis/Meeting Amber and their son

Watching Judy dance -

Learning Bakugan (sarcasm here)-
Being surrounded by those you love.

Friday morning snuck up too soon. I did some laundry, some packing, snuck over to see Jodi (WAY too short of a visit), met back up with the family to see "Marley and Me", cried over a dog movie, and I'm indifferent to dogs, and felt horrible about not having enough time to visit Steph, Jeff, MaryAnn, Barry and the kids.

We promised the kids we'd go to In-N-Out Burger so we grabbed lunch and headed back to G&G's to load up the van.

It was hard to leave!!!! Mike some how managed to get everything in the van... he's a miracle worker. So we hugged and cried and left for St. George, UT.

Thank you Mom and Dad for everything! Vegas was a dream trip. We want everyone to come visit us over the summer...