Christmas Vacation

First off, let me just say, that there is nothing in this world that is like being with family. It is my little piece of heaven on earth. I know that things are not perfect, probably in any family, but all those problems, worries, and issues (within the family) seem to go away when we get together. Those problems that seem so big when we are apart, seem to get so much smaller and almost disappear when we are together. That is probably why I always feel it is so important to keep getting together, no matter how difficult it is. And I love it all the more when EVERYONE is there!

So now that is said, here are some pictures of our Christmas Trip/Vacation this year. Which went by WAY TO FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIRST STOP: Bunkerville

After several stops along the way, we finally made it to my sister Cami's house in Bunkerville. Our kids, like always, had SO MUCH fun together. Here they are waiting for their dinner. There was plenty of table space for them to sit on, but of course they all want to be together on this little table we pulled out. So much more fun that way!
That also goes for sleeping right next to, almost on top of, each other.
Cami, Brandon, Tim and I stayed up late playing games (which is a favorite of ours) while our kids were doing who knows what. When we went to check on them, this is how we found them all. They must really love each other. What little sweethearts.

SECOND STOP: Logandale
Here is our master chef Brandon, finishing up his last touches on our Christmas meal. We have a little bit of a different traditional meal for Christmas at our house. Growing up we would spend some of our Christmas Vacations in Mazatlan Mexico and really enjoyed some of the food there. Thank goodness my sister married Brandon, whom went to Mexico on his mission and can make us the real deal. We just need to find the right Mexican stores to get the right ingredients. Thank goodness he is an excellent cook as well. My mouth is just watering thinking about those yummy tacos, escamochoes (spelling?), beans and rice.
My sister, Cami, giving her special touches to the meal as well. The cool thing about this year was the BBQ grill was not working, so Tim with his expert survival skills, built a fire with some rocks, grill, and some cedar chips and saved the day. Between all the men cooking the meat over the fire outside and the women doing all the chopping prep work inside..... We had a pretty fantastic meal.

Here are some of the kids playing while the adults were getting their talents set up/ready for our grand talent/show and tell tradition.
Sweet Baby Brea!
Dallas and Emery waiting for the show to begin.
Some of my family watching Tim give his talent
Back: Grandma Char, Erin, Zach (Erins husband)
Four wheeler: Lincoln, Zach, Ned, Nikki, and Gwen
Right: Jay (My dad)
Tim presenting his talent of different ways to make fire, including his favorite to show off, using the bow drill. After his talent, he gave each family one of his favorite lighters.

I wish I would have taken more pictures of our talents because they are always so fun and unique from being able to put your foot on your head (Lincoln, age 4) to shooting an arrow across the wash, in the dark, to start a massive bon fire (My Dad). This talent/show and tell night is also a different tradition of ours. We do this instead of exchanging gifts. We each put a lot of thought into it and share something special or unique about ourselves to give to everyone in attendance.
It is also a great way to see what everyone has been up to during that year.

THIRD STOP: Enoch
We actually only stopped in Enoch for about 30 minutes on our way to Delta to pick up a few things at one of our best friends, Andy and Jennys, house. I had to add this small stop just because I wanted to mention how special they are to us. They are friends that we will have for a life time and beyond. They are like family to us. I was having a pretty hard time leaving home in Logandale (thinking it might be my last trip there, because my parents are moving) and stopping at the Losees house just gave me such a bright spot in my day. That is just how it is with them. We can have sorrows together but we are always so happy to be together, even if it is only for 30 minutes. It also helped remind me that, home is not a certain location, but who you are with.

LAST STOP: Delta
We were able to make it to Tim's Parents house by Christmas Eve. Traveling on Christmas Eve was a little different, but it was nice to be able to see all of our family, so it made it all worth it.
Emery and Kaven showing off their new sleeping bags from Grandma Paula and Grandpa Alan. You may also notice the pillow that is under Emery's head from Santa. It has a pony on it and came in a whole sheet set. (I love the things she asked for this year!)
Kaven is still pretty pleased with his new train set he got from Santa. Tim in the background helping him set it up. Sometimes I wonder who has more fun with this gift. He he...
Emery and Sadie (best buds) sporting their new chef attire.
Kaven was pretty thrilled that he got a home made car mat as well.
Emery sporting her new "two wheel" scooter as she calls it. This will be perfect in our court when the weather starts warming up.

We had such a great few days off for Christmas. I have to say that this is probably my favorite Christmas and Christmas seasons that I can remember. I am a little sad to see it over but glad I have the memories and New Year to look forward to. This year we get a new member to our family. Time to start getting ready because we are excited and I know it is going to come faster than I realize!