January 8, 2018

To say life is has been a little nuts around here is like saying a hurricane is a light ocean breeze.

We had Christmas with the Phillips clan the weekend before Christmas. We got to go to the Gaylord and decorate cookies, have a lovely dinner together, open presents and have a delightful time. The kids love their cousin Abby and Hannah particularly loved being her shadow this trip. Hannah got a baby doll and matching baby doll and Hannah size dresses and were able to wear them to church that Sunday. The boys got to play a laser tag type game and Mario cart with Francis, Uncle Chris and Grandad, so it was a very successful weekend.

 The kids and I stuck around for the week and enjoyed Christmas light looking, a trip to Play street museum, Kid Mania (a large indoor playground) and a trip to the Aquarium with Nana. Thursday morning we moved from the Phillips house to the Noble Casa (where my mother had thankfully fully recovered from the flu). My mother had the candidate draw and William had the honor of drawing the number for my mother. Friday Mom Noble and Aunt Camille joined us, and in a last minute decision, Japapa flew down Saturday from Colorado to join us for the first Christmas ever. We all attended the Saturday evening candle light service (Christmas Eve eve?) including my sisters' families. Christmas eve was spent at my parents enjoying the fire, Christmas movies, board games and good company. We had our our own family Christmas eve service at the house followed by opening presents. The kids particularly loved these ride on bouncing animals and have continued to bounce on them whenever they come across them in the house.

Christmas morning we opened stockings and then my in-law joined all of us for a delightful and delicious Christmas lunch. It was great to have almost my whole family there (missing only Cyndy Chris and Abby). It was a Christmas to remember. While there may not be a whole lot to write about concerning it, I will hold the feelings and love in my heart for all time. Merry Christmas!

We headed home the following day after having a celebratory lunch for Japapa at Uncle Julio's restaurant. Being away 12 days was very very fun but we were ready to get back home. The days until new Years are sort of a blur of unpacking, restocking, cleaning and general house keeping. One exception would be that the kids used their Christmas money from Nana Phillips to go to Grand Station instead of getting a toy. It was something they had been waiting over 2 years to do. They got to enjoy unlimited bowling, laser tag, mini-golf, bumper cars and play some arcade games. We stayed a whole Friday. It was crazy but the kids said it was even better than they imagined. I'm so glad. Hannah and I were finished around 3 but Francis and the boys headed back after dropping us off at the house. We didn't see them again until we had a late dinner. They especially loved the laser tag. In fact they've been playing versions of laser tag at home ever since. I'm so glad it was memorable.

New years eve we went to church and then did a countdown celebration at the Children's Museum. They dropped balloons from the ceiling and everything. We stayed home that evening and did Netflix to do our own countdown with confetti and sparkling grape juice. New Years day was very cold and so we stayed home and enjoyed our last day of vacation.

We started back up school last Tuesday and have been slowly getting back into routine. We start CC back up tomorrow and I think that will be the jump start we need to get going again. Francis's parents, Cyndy, Chris and Abby all came in town on Saturday and we had one fun long day. We went to a free family skating event in the morning at the local ice rink. Even Hannah skated and had a blast. We ate lunch at Lupe Tortilla (which has a play ground for the kids) and then spent the afternoon at Grand Station (my kids got to go there twice in just over a week!) doing their unlimited deal again. It was even more fun the second time around because we had more people to enjoy it with  (and more people to shoot at Laser Tag and hit with the bumper cars). I learned that the Phillips are all pretty decent bowlers! We left shortly before the unlimited deal ended at 8 (with the rest of the crew leaving only slightly before us). After 10 hours straight of fun my kids were pooped! But oh so happy. It was the Happiest Day of the New Year thus far.

I'm anticipating many happy memories this year and I hope all of you have all joyous 2018 too. Till next time!