So, I started this blog by first adding ALL the pictures I wanted to include. I told myself that in the past it's always the last step of going through and adding the pictures that keeps me from posting the blogpost. So I figured if I started with pictures it'd go up much sooner. Turns out it's not just the pictures holding me back haha. Obviously the blog is not my highest priority, but I enjoy having it so... better late than never right??
CHRISTMAS TIME!! The BEST time of the year. SO fun and magical and I love it! This Christmas time did have a few stressful moments, but what part of life doesn't have stress. We tried to enjoy the season, even though we still had a big test score of Ben's hanging over our heads. We had purchased a little mini tree last year and it was so fun to pull it out again. We don't have a ton of ornaments, but the ones we do have are very sentimental so I love looking at them. Of course, this year the trick was to keep Riley away from the tree. Surprisingly, she didn't show a ton of interest in the tree until just a few days before we were headed out of town so all of the ornaments survived to hang another year! My very favorite ornament we have is a fat Santa that I probably bought at Walmart for like $5. I couldn't quite put my finger on why I loved it so much, but Ben pointed out it was probably because it reminded me of these following videos and it totally hit the nail on the head.
I really hope you enjoyed that. Back to my cute family...
Look at this sweet baby!!
Our first stop (and really the main reason we decided we should/could drive to Utah/Idaho this year) was Albuquerque, New Mexico to see the Messerlys! When I found out that they were pretty sure they were moving to Albuquerque I started hatching a plan. Ben had 2 months that he could take off during 4th year. Those months are usually used for studying for boards or traveling for interviews which is what he used his first month for. He didn't have a plan for using the 2nd month so I started dreaming about an extended Christmas vacation! Albuquerque is almost exactly half way between Fort Worth and Springville. It would be a LONG drive with a baby, but if we could get a month vacation with family it would totally be worth it! So we got to hang out with ERMM for a day or two on the way there and back. Macey was so cute with Riley, wanting to be involved in almost all her care. Of course, no one wanted to help with messy diapers, but they almost had to! At one point in the trip it cracked me up that M & M's punishment for using crude words was going to be changing a poopy diaper. Unfortunately, Riley didn't perform when we needed her too, although that was probably best for everyone haha. Sorry to all you other Aunts and Uncles out there, but this stop solidified Ben as McKays favorite person ever. McKay has been playing PokemonGo and Ben has much Pokemon knowledge so McKay basically worshiped him.
Once we had the strength to make a second 8.5 hr drive we packed up our stuff and headed to Springville! Britt was also visiting so we had some fun sister time at the gym. We arrived the day before Christmas Eve and were having a grand old time until some holiday crashers knocked on the door Christmas Eve night! But really the Thompsons showing up TOTALLY unexpectedly was the BEST moment of Christmas. Not only that it happened as we were all sitting down to Christmas Eve dinner so it was a total callback to our favorite Christmas movie, but also seeing everyone's immediate reactions. All three sisters leaping out of their chairs to run to the door, Matt voicing concern that Ana about upended the table she stood with such force, Riley bursting into tears at all the commotion, Ana and Mom starting to water down the gravy and peal some more potatoes...it was chaos and I LOVED it.
Britty always with the pose and Ana always trying to learn how to pose
Just learning the tricks of the trade
So much family in one house! Calvin may have had to sleep in Mom and Dad's closet, but it all worked!
All the heart eyes!!
Otter books!! Mom definitely wins for best unexpected present! And one is in Spanish!
Back when Riley let strangers hold her...sigh.
You know Ana is a sucker for a good photo op so of course we needed a Riley and Andrew moment. The first Christmas for both!
This little machine book thing that Ty got was AWESOME
Cal and his Mickey pants! He was cracking everyone up with his Hot Dog dance!
Riley's new toy from Gma and Gpa was very popular.
The FUNNIEST game of codenames ever played. Matt was the group consultant. He was adamant he didn't want to play, but he didn't mind sitting on the sidelines and shouting some opinions to the players. In this game you have to get your teammate to guess specific words on the board, but avoid others depending on the 'map' you pick out at the beginning of the game. We didn't explain it very well to Matt at first and he went through the first half of the game thinking we were morons. Giving these 2 or 3 word clues. He said, "I can see like 5 words that go together right now." Haha that's exactly the problem Matt. We started the game with Britt, but she tagged Dad in about half way through. So we took some time explaining the status of the game and what Dad's job was. After like a 10 minute explanation he says, "So what am I supposed to guess?"
Frozen 2!! Little did I know I would be listening to this on repeat for the next 8 months (and counting) of my life. Admittedly, I did do it to myself.
All four sisters somehow snuck into the gym. I think it was kosher.
Model pose or trying to intimidate someone?
Model pose or please sir can I have some more?
I mean I try, but she's the master
All too soon it was time for Ben and I to drive up to Rexburg to be with Ben's family. We were coming back to Utah for a few weeks afterwards, but Mel and Britt would be gone by then. It was sad to say goodbye and sad to have to get in a car again, but luckily we don't have a hard time keeping in touch even when separated by 3 time zones.
Passed out after some seriously impressive crying on the way. Poor girl.
Winter activities in Rexburg with a one year old are pretty limited, but we loved the aquarium!
Must've been quite the bump on the head!
Things at the Jack house we overall a lot quieter. We were there with a few other cousins for a few days, but we stayed a lot longer than everyone else. It was so fun for Riley to be able to get a little more comfortable and come out of her shell a bit. She LOVED their dog Dobby, but we made sure to not let her love him too much. Meredith had just gotten a Cricut machine for Christmas and they gave me a scrapbook that I wanted to use for Riley's first year of life. The craft store in Rexburg just happened to be going out of business so we made at least two trips there in a week. So much money was spent.
If you know your Pixar trivia you'll understand why Ben HAD to buy this doll he found at DI for Riley.
It was such a wonderful, wonderful break. Even if the last 45 minutes of the drive home were filled with heart-breaking sobs from Riley. We also got to celebrate her first birthday in Utah, but that's for another blog. Maybe I'll get it finished before she turns 2. :)
