All I Want for Christmas Is YOU!!

Ahhh....Christmas time. It truly is a magical time of year...more magical for some than others. I've always considered myself  as someone with a lot of Christmas cheer. A Christmas Elf if you will. I LOVE the music, the decorations, the tree, cookies, movies....anything Christmas I LOVE it. LOVE. But this Christmas was a little different compared to Christmases past. As Mom put it we "simplified" Christmas this year. We didn't have a tree, we simplified gift giving, and no family came into town. (I mean...just the Messerlys in Utah is still a fairly impressive group...but still!)  So without Christmas tree shopping  or much gift buying Christmas kind of arrived without me even noticing. (The lack of Christmas decorations in my apartment might have also played a part) But you know what? It still came and it was still wonderful #thegrinchwasright. There were a few things I missed, but there were a lot of things to love about this "simplified" Christmas. 

We got to see Mom and Dad go to bed on Christmas Eve night BEFORE 10:30...it was a miracle! Mom actually got to sit down and play Things with Britt, Matt, Danny, Ana and I on Christmas Eve (props to Matt for throwing us off my putting "wedding anniversary" for things you always forget). In years prior she was always WAY too busy to play any games that night. But I think my favorite part of Christmas this year was listening to the stories of Wally and the Little Cripple Boy. The Spirit of CHRISTmas was very present as Dad spoke about the lessons from these stories. It reaffirmed what I was already learning...the spirit of Christmas doesn't come from the decorations or presents, but from our small acts of kindness.

So this is how Christmas looked this year...

I made sugar cookies for the fam...everyone was very confused. Wait...aren't these for caroling?
Also...yes that is the Justin Bieber christmas album playing...#dealwithit  

There was plenty of cousin cuteness. (Okay, yes I took a picture during prayer...but it was too CUTE!)

Even Midge got in on the nephew love...look they're TOUCHING

Mckay doesn't seem to realize how big of a deal this is...

LOVE this one. Mom is so cute.

Matt got a little to into the "asleep...asleep" portion of Away in a Manger

Somehow while the nativity pieces were being passed out Danny ended up with Mary AND the little shepherd girl...
That wrong was quickly righted.

Midge was a little less than enthusiastic to wake up in the morning...this was my solution. 

Dad passing out the presents. See? Some things didn't change

Also...notice the tiny branch of a pine tree hanging from a string? That was our pseudo Christmas tree. #thisishowwedo

Rich and Erica wrapped Britt's gift in what we are now calling the "glittery wrapping paper of death"

You touch the gift? You get glittered. 

We used a box to protect Midge from the ridiculous amounts of glitter. 

I love capturing Dane's smile as he opens his presents

Utah hasn't seen hardly any snow this year...so when everyone woke up Christmas morning to 4 inches of snow it kind of felt like a Christmas miracle. Of course that meant that Midge and I had to go take some selfies in it. #nomakeup #naturalbeauties #youresovain

Love. This. Girl.

 In summary...I love my family. Missed you Mel, Kip, Brady, Ty, Loren, Mitch, Luke and Elise! 

Oh, and Midge and I (with some assistance from Coco) found the most entertaining app EVER.

Cause All of Me Loves All of You

In celebration of the Midget turning 20??!!!? (that blows my mind...I thought she was supposed to be 16 the rest of her life)  I have created a special blog dedicated to her. My Little Sister. My Midge. My Boo. This will look similar to past blogs that contained text conversations between Midge and I, but on this post I wanted to list all the reasons that everyone needs the equivalent of a "Midge" in their life. My relationship with Midge is very important to me and I firmly believe everyone needs a person that they have this type of relationship with in their lives. Now Britt is one in a million so while it's VERY unlikely you will every find someone that meets all these criteria...I'm sure you can find...someone. ;)

So without further adieu...

Why everyone needs a Midge in their life....

1. Because of her no nonsense policy when it comes to school work and her competitive GPA.



2. Because the Midge policy is freak-out now...ask questions later.

3. Because we all need that someone who tells us like it is, and brings us back to reality. If you ever needed an intervention...Midge would host it.

4. Because you know she loves you more than all her friends. Even if you wouldn't assume that from her social media. 

5. Because she holds herself to a high-standard.

6. Because I can pretty much do anything I want and I know she won't be mad at me....for too long.

7. Because she says things like, "Brazil basically just rolled over and* died". I guess this could read because she makes you laugh. Those two options are pretty interchangeable.

8. Because my amazingly smart, hilarious, hot, little sister...envies me. It's good to feel envied. (insert evil purple face emoji...man I'm really lost without my emojis right now...I've already wanted to put in like 10!)

9. Because she understands the enjoyment found in tormenting Dad. And looks good doing it.



(Also because she asks me things like that question (insert upward pointing finger emoji...gosh dangit!))

10. Because she considers music to be...well...her life.

11. Because she makes you put things in perspective. 

12. Because everyone needs that person they can text 20 times and even when they don't respond you just keep texting them. 

13. Because whenever you're upset with her...you're not really THAT upset with her.

14. Because she tells you the truth...even when it is totally unnecessary and kinda hurtful. (okay maybe this one isn't a SUPER good thing)

15. Because she is kind enough to leave her Avatar DVDs at the parents house when she goes to college...

(After texting me Emiline she texted mom to warn her not to tell me where the DVDs were...just a little too slow)

16. Because if you mimic everything she says you are guaranteed to be IN with the cool kids.

17. Because she understands when you get jealous.

18. Because she has like 10 times the experience you have dealing with boys...and she imparts her wisdom upon you.

19. Because she is all about world peace.

20. Because she sends you pictures like this. (That's Howard saving Mufasa from dying, Professor X from getting paralyzed, and the Titanic from sinking)  

21. Because she knows that in a competition between Hispanics and white people...HISPANICS ALWAYS WIN!! (I mean in who we are going to root for...no need to remind me of that horrid final game of the world cup.) 



22. Because she respects your point of view even when it differs from hers.

 

23. Because she is so chill.

24. Because we see things the same. (see my blog on the Olympics and what I wrote about the Bode Miller interview)

Well I hope this has opened up your eyes to realize how lucky all of you are to actually have Midge in your lives...and Midge...I seriously love you sooooo much!! You are my sidekick for life! But like a sidekick where like both of them are equally important and cool. We are like the Totally Spies...just missing one spy. I call being Sam. You can be Clover cause let's be honest Alex was the lamest one. Or we could be Professor X and Magneto. I would be Professor X of course. What about Batman and his butler? They are basically equal in coolness. #thatbritishaccenttho Wait. Nope. I've got it. Lorelei and Rori. Done. You know I'm Lorelei. 

LOVE YOU MIDGE!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH!! #thereisnosuchthingasabirthdaymonth