Christmas Vacation 2008

So the last time I wrote, we were having our first snow day from school, and even as I am writing this, we are having our third snow day from school(mind you there was WINTER break in there too.) I must admit, after the first two days and then the weekend, I knew that I had to be getting out of this place! When John's doctor decided to take Christmas eve off, and John was going to be getting out relatively early on Tuesday, we decided there was "no place like home for the holidays." So we packed up all our presents(even the ones grandparents had already sent) and headed to UTAH!

Yes, I know it sounds a little crazy, but many prayers were answered and we made it... With great roads and no troubles! We stayed over at a hotel in Butte that first night, just because it was so late. But made it to my parents house on Christmas Eve by 3pm. Just enough time for a run to Wal-Mart and to eat dinner at Applebees.

We had a wonderful Christmas Day. Our kids were totally spoiled. I would love to blame it all on my mother, but John has now dubbed me Mrs. Claus Jr.. Micah was a little sullen, having been sick for the three days before Christmas...I actually think if I remember right, she threw-up on Christmas morning too. She is such a trooper. She loved her singing Diamond Castle Princesses dolls. Josie was kind of a bore and just slept through the whole thing...oh well, what can you expect from a 5 month old. Deeken was a blast to watch, although I am sure he got totally overwhelmed by the amount of presents. He loved his Thomas the Train talking books, and dragon. Noah, really scored this Christmas getting exactly what he wanted, Bionicles, and something he did not expect but has LOVED...a Nintendo DS. He repeatedly thanked us over and over for it. I got lots of fun stuff too, mostly from Pampered Chef. I now have enough Corn Cobb end thingers for our whole family!!! John was lucky and had his wish list completely checked off...it helps when you go to REI.com and put everything you would want in the basket and then tell your wife to decide. I am hoping this can happen every year.

The rest of our trip there was filled completely with relaxing and spending lots of time with family! Thanks to my mom and dad who hosted our crazy brood. We had a great time and are so happy we made the trip. Thanks to my in-laws who threw a great family party and took everyone to a movie and lunch. Good times! Thanks to Heidi and Travis, who have us over more often than they should have to...and to their kids who completely take care of our kids when we are there, and truly make it feel like a vacation. We love and miss you all so much!

In fact, as I am sitting here in Spokane, having made it home safely...I am TRYING to count my blessings! I am wondering what I am doing here in this snow clad town...stuck in my house...with my four kids...while my husband starts a rotation working 90 hours a week for pretty much the next 8 weeks. When we arrived home, we were greeted by this.... We couldn't even get in our drive-way. Although I prayed all the way home that our next-door-snowblower-owning-neighbor might plow for us, alas it did not happen. We had to drive around to a side street and John made a path for the kids and I to go inside. After a while I took pity on John and went to help him. The kids were playing inside, and as I went to check on them one time, Noah says to me, "Mom, do you think you could start making a little dinner?" Ahhh, to be a kid again. No back- breaking snow shoveling, and somebody else to make your dinner.

Utah(MOM) I miss you Already!