Christmas 2016

It is a time of year I have just been numb through the past two years.  I want to hide. To disconnect my phone.  To curl up in bed and sleep the entire month of December and part of January away, would be a dream come true.  Alas, my family had much better plans.

I got a call from Jake asking me to come down,, admittedly I blew him off, and appeased him with the answer of,,, "we will see what the weather looks like ok bud?, I am honestly ok with just staying here, and I certainly do NOT want you or Kenz driving up here if the roads suck"

Then Kenz called an asked me to come down, only she wouldn't accept the same answer I gave Jake. 
K: Mum, we want you here for Christmas
M: I know, but if anything happened driving down there, or you guys up here... I would rather just know you are safe.
K: ok we will play it by ear but we really want you down here with us! Bring Tom and the boys..... he can drive,,,,,,

Off we went,, we were going to take my car but with the winter storm watch that was pretty much state wide, we took his truck, thank heavens!  The roads were great on the way down, a little wet, no snow falling YAY!! *not too bad on the way home either, except between Filmoore and Nephi*

We got there Friday, and just relaxed and watched movies.  Saturday we got up and did a few last minute things that needed to be done before the stores closed. 
Jake came over and we had lunch and played games,, Cards Against Humanity,*yes it really is one of our favorites*, Kenz and Jeff introduced us to Cranium,, hahaha, we seriously just laughed so freaking hard.
Then Kenz and Jeff went out with Jeff's mom to a Christmas Eve Service, Tom and the boys hung out at the house, (gotta love stomach issues! :-( ) And I ran to Jacob's inlaw's to see my sweet daughter in law and her family.  When I got back to the house, Kenz, Jeff, Christie, Tom and I went and looked at Christmas lights,, there are some St George Peeps that KNOW how to do lights! Seriously impressive!!! We got back to the house and opened our Christmas eve present,,, Thanks Smiths for Jammies at 70% off!!

Christmas Day was amazing, we had yummy cinnamon rolls for breakfast and waited for everyone to wake up, while Kenzie started preparing an A-MAZING dinner!!   Ham with a cranberry honey glaze,,, OMG YUM, homemade scalloped potates, greenbeans and bacon, and homemade cream corn.  Christie got there and we opened presents.... serious spoilage going on all over the place!!

Jake and Emily came over and we ate an early dinner, so the four of us wouldn't be driving back in crappy weather, and there was even time to play another new game,, battle of the sexes,,, OH MY HELL!!!!  if you don't have this game, you need it!!  it is HILARIOUS!!

It was so much fun... the love and spirit that was there was incredible.

As much as we missed Todd and Levi, their presence was definitely felt.... especially when I playfully punched Jake in the chest, inadvertantly breaking his Dad's rayban sunglasses he has had,,, a few minutes later, Todd's facebook account got spammed or hacked or whatever, and "HE" posted an add for rayban sunglasses!  We laughed at how ironic that was.

It was definitely a very funfilled weekend, full of love, happiness, making new memories, sharing old traditions, and just feeling at peace,, complete and utter peace, for the first time, with all of us together,, <3 <3 <3

I didn't want it to end...

From our house to yours,,, we wish you all all the best in 2017!  May God's grace and Love be felt all year.