Stayed Put

Hello. We have all been glad that our plans today didn't involve any traveling. We all slept in and enjoyed just staying put. 

The kids played Spikeball and ultimate Friesbee with Owen's football. 

I sat on the grass with them and took those few pics. Daniel found a lizard friend and they stared at each other for a bit. The lizard held it's ground until D touched it's tail. 

I took a morning nap with K who is sick. Everyone went swimming, I went to Publix and Costco for provisions, including Tylenol for K, "hardship ice cream" via Fatboys, and now I think we should be set through Monday morning. We check out of the marriott here on Monday, then have a drive back to Ft. Lauderdale and one night there before we fly home on Tuesday.

Florida Christmas

We have survived another day of traveling and get to take a break now as we stay in the Marriott Grand Vista. I just woke up from a major nap and now it does look like Christmas to me, cause kids are playing with presents and legos on the floor.

Hyrum and Ethan enjoyed working on Peter's lego set.

I'm glad we're here and that we can relax for a few days. We had an early morning and a great Christmas morning, then a 3 hour drive up to Orlando. It all went off without a hitch. I sent J a text to wake me up this morning, which he did, and I went upstairs and we found the tree and Christmas lights. Went back downstairs to set out the sibling gifts to each other with some lights... There! That's better!

That looks more festive than it looked last night. Ok good. Little kids were knocked out cold.

Hyrum helped me move the Christmas presents up to the 4th floor to their room. 

Mel had finished blowing up the tree, trimmed with lights. H put out the presents from Santa (Corey and I)

Joseph Mel and Eliza were all up and working on breakfast.

We were kinda making it up as we went. When they were done with the crepes and fruit, they sent a text that they were on their way and we woke up the boys. Well, we moved them from the pull out couch where they slept and put them in chairs while we put the sofa back together for everyone to sit. Peter looking very snug.

We left Katharine sleeping in the bed until we went upstairs for breakfast.

Kids looked in their stockings and ODP ate some, but I recommended they save the treats for the car ride to Orlando, esp since Joseph had a fun breakfast waiting for us. We had a little devotional. We watched "The Christ Child" and then Corey shared some good thoughts about how maybe traveling on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day could actually be a very appropriate tradition. Just think about it - it was a 70–90 miles journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. That likely took them between 4 days to a week of travel. They were out of their comfort zone, not in circumstances they would have chosen. But unlike us, they were not traveling in fast cars and airplanes. We got tired sitting on around watching tv, vs. feeling tired from riding a donkey for 4+ days, yikes! They were not prepared with everything they probably would have chosen to have for when their baby would be born, just as we did not have everything we would have liked to have on Christmas for our "traditions" but it was good enough and we should be grateful. Corey said "So we should be able to handle a hotel without carpet..." (The Worldmark had tile floor) haha, among other things that we were griping about. We still have it very cushy compared to Baby Jesus. Good things to think about. Then we exchanged "secret santa" gifts. The little boys had gifts for everyone. To "Kafrin" from Peter, cute!

Abi was feeling better this morning. Mel got Joseph a "The Earth is Flat" shirt, which she made last minute over at Wayne's house, which was why she was an hour behind us on the drive to St. George on Monday. He loved it! He's always thought that it is so weird that people actually believe the earth is flat. 

There was a logo on the front too that said "Members all around the globe" haha. Very funny. 

Some of the other memorable sibling gifts were the custom Cat Noir blanket that Lily got for Sophi, which inspired the blanket that Natalie made for me with pics of my face all over it and a quote saying "No one can compete <3" "Natalie, where did you get that?!?" She replied matter of factly "Amazon." It was really fun and around 9am we went upstairs to the 4th floor where the college kids slept, for breakfast and more gifts. 

We had called and asked for a had a late check out, and they said they could give us until 11. That works. So we had two hours now. Joseph and Eliza had planned a fun breakfast of Christmas Tree crepes. The green crepes were all ready to go and he gave a little "Joe's Cooking show" demonstration on how to make them. 

Fun, this could definitely be a new Christmas tradition.

And then it was time for Santa's gifts. 

We had a roaring fireplace on the tv, so relaxing.

So the most memorable gift will be these announcements from the marrieds. First Joseph and Eliza gave Katharine a gift of a shirt (they didn't finish but the print is ready to go) that says "Aunt Kathy's Homestyle cooking" (from a meat place in Canada)... Peter then opened some spiderman underwear with a post-it that said "A cool gift for a cool uncle." People looked a little confused, and it took a few minutes., and then Daniel said "Wait! Is someone pregnant??" The ultrasound pic with the gifts were the clue he needed. And then a reply came "Two people in this room are pregnant!" 

Then Ethan had a gift for all the kids and it had a dice in 

Then for the gender reveal, J&E opened a gift from Eliza's grandma with some cute PINK pajamas. They are having a girl! And Ethan planned ahead and had Daniel wear some BLUE underwear, and gave him a wedgie in front of everyone for their reveal, in true Ethan style. So they are having a boy. They are both due in May, Ethan and Bella at the first of the month, Joseph and Eliza at the end. Exciting things coming in 2025!! And what a fun surprise for everyone for Christmas! 

Travel Day - Christmas Eve

We have had a long day that started at 5:30 am Utah time. Hyrum and Owen were the family alarm clock. H started us off with a quote from Veggietales: "Attention little people! I have an announcement!" Time to wake up! We had a repeat of last nights dinner (aka cereal and milk, compliments of my mother, no one complained) and then kids grabbed their bags and we were on our way out at 6. Car arrangements were: 

• our van - me driving CTHDK
• Mel's car, Abi driving MAOL
• Ethan and Bella's car - EBSNP

In our car, we listened to "Welcome to Fabulous" as we drove into Vegas at sunrise. We went to the airport to unload people and suitcases, then Corey and I checked our luggage while H took the van to where it will be for the next week, and Mel followed Bella to where she was leaving their car (at a friend's house), then they went to where H was parked, and Mel left her car there and the three of them took an uber back to the airport. Our cars at some hotel for $7 a day. We rearranged stuff in the luggage  while we waited for MHE to come back. Owen played football with Ethan and the other kids watched a movie on the ipad while we tried to finish things up. Abi is there with her hands over her face. She had a headache and didn't feel well.

We had too much food leftover. Oranges, 2/3 a flat of tomatoes which Corey mocked me for bringing on this trip. In my defense, I forgot they were in the car, and that is why they were left there and we didn't finish them off last night. And I had to buy the tomatoes cause we got together with his family on Sunday, and that was one of the things we were in charge of. Then I teased him for bringing a full thing of Greek yogurt, which we did NOT forget about last night, nor leave in the car. We hauled it around and just didn't use it. So Corey and I are a perfect match.

So there was some waste as we threw that perfectly good yogurt and the tomatoes in the trash, and Bella poured the milk down the sink for me as I left with Hyrum back to the van, cause he locked the key in the van, and his carry-on with his laptop. And we patted ourselves on the back with a congratulatory "this is why we gave ourselves that extra hour from the time change! Just to give us time to allow for errors like this. Good job, go team." So after MHE arrived, H and I turned right around for a quick Uber roudtrip back to the van, got the key and backpack, then we caught up to everyone. They were in line for security, except Ethan and Bella, who were behind us cause her birthdate was entered at 2022 instead of 2002, so they had to go somewhere to verify that she was not a 2 year old. And then we were at the gate! Hooray, I was glad and felt like the first major hurdle and most challenging part of our trip was behind us. We boarded the plane for our flight to Atlanta. 

I sat with Katharine and Mel for the 3 hour flight. K and I watched Bluey in sync for the first 2 hours, and then she kept watching that while I watched a little bit of a Super Man documentary about Christopher Reeves. I really liked it. Overall that was was a nice flight for me. Not as nice for Corey - he sat by Abi, and she threw up and fainted. Owen Daniel and Peter were in a row together, which Hyrum didn't think was a wise idea, but none of them wanted to switch. During the layover in Atlanta  we learned that Daniel put on Deadpool & Wolverine for Peter, which is rated R. We all thought that was unfortunate and ironic. Ethan knew a little bit about the movie and asked him questions that convinced him that Peter did indeed watch it. Peter seems to have nightmares easily, thus should be scared easily, but he seemed unphased by Deadpool. Ethan says it uses the F word a ton too. Doh. Ethan also says we need to let Daniel know how silly he looks. 

E kept brining up how bad he (Ethan) looked in old photos and he blames us for letting him go out like that when we, as his parents, knew better. He doesn't want Daniel to have that same regret when he's older. Ethan asked "Daniel, what inspired your outfit today?" Hyrum answered for him: "Sleep." haha. There was a little stress at the airport because Hyrum left his backpack with his laptop in the car so he and I hurried and took an Uber to go back for that. Bella had the wrong birthdate on her boarding pass... it said that she was born in 2022 instead of 2002. So they had to fix that when she didn't fit the look of a toddlers. 

We got on another plane and K looked like she was feeling confused. Atlanta to Ft. Lauderdale "We're doing this again??"

It'll be better, Katharine. This one is shorter. Abi fainted and threw up again and renounced her desires for a career as a flight attendant. She also took advantage of her illness to ask Corey if she can quit GMS, which he agreed to. We landed, Corey and I took Peter and Katharine on a shuttle to go pick up our rental cars. Joseph had a little trouble getting his rental car cause he is not old enough, lol. He figured it out, we went back to the arrivals where everyone was waiting for us with the luggage, loaded it all up, etc etc phew. We are finally at our Worldmark hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, and I got her first and checked us in, but I didn't hear from the lady which building we were in, so everyone was irritated with me when I didn't know where to go and we just drove around the parking lot for 10 minutes trying to find a place to park. "Why are all these people here on Christmas Eve?!?!" "Why are WE here?!?!" Then we saw Corey and followed him. He eventually pulled up next to us to let us know he didn't know where he was going. I went into a room, found a map, then we were soon in the Areca Palm building. Rooms 465 and 251. And we don't like Worldmark very much right now. They wouldn't let Joseph check in early, among a few other things. They were being stupid. Joseph and Eliza went by Walmart, which they said was CRAZY busy, and they got provisions before Walmart closed. We got pizza cooking in the oven and it looks like we will survive the next 48 hours. Hyrum just summed it up perfectly: "Everyone is angry and hungry after a long day of traveling on Christmas Eve..." and Hyrum next said the main thing I am also feeling "I'm actually feeling most upset that we have to check out tomorrow morning..." Yeah, that part stinks. Check out is at 10 am, but we're going to ask if we can push it back, and I'm sure they'll give us another hour. 

Update a few hours later (past midnight): I'm going through all the stuff trying to find the tree. I have all the presents out and the stockings stuff ready...

...but the blow up palm tree might be in luggage upstairs, or did we lose that luggage? It was packed with the floaties and I haven't see them either. The college kids upstairs have gone to bed. Joseph and Eliza are waking up early to make Christmas tree crepes. I think we'll call it good and get up early with them to hopefully work some Christmas magic before little kids wake up. 

To St. George

Peter ready to drive to St. George and get this family vacation started!

(That pic from yesterday.) I guess was ready to get this party started cause I woke up this morning at 5:20 and couldn't fall back asleep, so I went climbing at 5:45. My proudest moment was after I flashed this dark red V3 (north end of the south boulder).

I was quite impressed with myself! Icalled Nicole on my drive home and then talked to her as I did a short walk, then Corey was awake so he and I took a bike ride up to past the ruins but on the road. 10.96 miles, 1 hour 32 min. After getting in our physical activity, we were ready to sit for hours on our drive to St. George. Lily, Sophi, and Natalie drove down with Ethan and Bella and they took them by to see the St. George temple. 

We checked in at the Worldmark in St George and unloaded a few things, but most of it we're leaving in the cars cause we're heading out early in the morning. We opened a few gifts tonight, mostly things that are too big or heavy that we don't want to take to Florida (like the hoverboard that Natalie is holding below, which is a gift to all the kids at home)...

... and also things that we are not going to use in Florida, like kitchen grill that we gifted to the married couples. Ethan and Bella are keeping that in their car here, we'll haul the one to Florida to give to Joseph and Eliza. Ok, so good day, part one of the first leg is done. We are leaving early to drive to Las Vegas tomorrow morning (5:30 am) so goodnight. 

Wride Gathering

A lot happened today. I'll start with last night though, cause each day really begins the night before, right? Well, our kids kept us awake past 1:30 am talking. It is fun to have them all here, but it could also be the death of us. 

We try to give them hints, by brushing our teeth and getting in pjs, but they don't seem to pick up on the clues and they just keep talking and talking. We get in bed and lay down, and but we'd laugh at something, and that encourages them and then they keep talking some more. 

 

Kinda funny. They are great and it's so fun to have them home. It's just not good for our health, cause we're getting old. So one other thing from last night that is my favorite thing ever - Hyrum has been  super cute playing with his younger siblings the past few days. Eliza had just sent me this Saturday around 4 just for fun cause she thought I might chuckle at it:

And I did, so cute, made me laugh out loud, and THEN this happened last night!! HAHA!

We can make our own meme! "Hyrum visited his sister's kitchen and left an honest review: I've been waiting on my order to get done for 45 minutes, and I'm the only customer here. She was making good progress at first, then she stopped." Hilarious!

So that was around midnight. Then they kept us up until 1:30 am talking. At 8:30 am, I forced myself out of bed, looked downstairs into the front room, and who do I find? Owen, who is awake and dressed, all ready for church and putting on his shoes. Wow.

He is a different kind of kid. So the rest of us got ready, trying to keep up with that boy, then we went to church, which was just sacrament meeting. Corey and Daniel were in the ward choir. We all smiled at Daniel singing, Abi played the finger cymbals well, and Ethan and Hyrum were smirking pretty hard as the men (including Corey) sang "rum bum bum bum" over and over again during "Little Drummer Boy". The girls all participated in musical numbers. It was a nice service. After church there was no time for naps cause we changed clothes then headed out to be with the Wrides. We first met at JeNeal's grave where we said a prayer and sang a few carols.

Then back to Wayne's house for a Christmas lunch with ham, creamy potatoes, veggie tray, I made a Greek salad with plenty of treats to go around as well. 

Then some gift exchanging in the front room. Grandpa came out with his red bags filled with Santa's toys. 

Katharine opening a gift.

Then it was a bunch of visiting and hanging out together doing nothing. The girls all snuggled up on the couch like they were are the "Little Women" March family.

They started singing White Winter Hymnal and I don't know where they learned that but they were all singing and trying to harmonize. It was precious and funny. I'm glad they all have each other. 

Corey and I left early to come back and packed up Christmas presents and such. We are determined to not become victims tonight and we are going to bed early! Or atleast at a decent time. We are going climbing in the morning, and then hope to be heading out for our drive to St. George around noon. Oh, and Mel met a boy... here's a pic from their second date last week (he's tall!) They went for a hike and just happened to come upon a decorated Christmas tree in the mountains.

Their first date was a real hit - they talked for like 4 hours at Wendy's after going to see the Tab choir Christmas concert, and he ordered a baked potato cause he's vegan!!! Wow! Go Mel! I like this guy already! I'm sure we'll be asking her for all the details when we have her captive in Florida.

Last Christmas Errands

It was another busy Holiday month of December day. We had a 9AM choir practice this morning for everyone. It was the ward choir combined with a primary practice. The boys are ready to sing. Since I just got them out of bed, they all brought along their stuffed toys (well, with Owen it was a football...)

They put their stuffed animals on the bench so they could sing to their fans. 

Owen put his football on the pew with his cap on it, so the football was sitting up and listening intently as well. Corey and Daniel are in our ward Christmas choir and they are the main performers tomorrow. Daniel wanted to be in the choir, so Corey joined in to be there with Daniel, even though he doesn't want to be in it or sing. Corey got asked to also play the Finger Cymbals, but he asked Abi to take that one for him and she willingly said yes. 

Corey's been really great to be in the choir with Daniel though. they've had practice every Sunday for like 9 weeks and they are doing a lot of songs. I'm glad Corey took the hit for us. 

So Owen had been thinking football for a few months. This kid goes outside and kicks the football in the backyard for hours. Corey got him a gray football helmet at the thrift store, which Owen colored blue with a permanent marker, and then he printed up a Y logo and glued that on. 

This little kid goes out and practices his kick for hours - he's training to be the next Will Ferrin. 

This kid is dedicated. And now he is dreaming of a football Christmas. 

We've gotten most of the presents we need, and today we started to figure out how we are going to get everything to Florida.

We still needed a few things though, like a Christmas tree. I went by Zurcher's and tried to brainstorm. They didn't have an inflatable one, but I did get a balloon palm tree and a hand pump to blow that up, so we'll do that with some Christmas lights I guess. I also went by Dollar Tree for stocking stuffers. 

I took Abi to my parents to do some work, and I was going to go to Costco after dropping her off, but instead I went back home to get Lily and she came with me to go back and help my parents fix Christmas lights. So this evening Corey and I finished other last minute errands, after first going climbing. At Momentum we tried some harder stuff, like a Red 5.10b that had very crimpy holds, I had to take a break. A Yellow 5.10a, Green 5.10c attempt - couldn't do it, but after I was dead from trying I went straight onto a black 5.9, Green 5.10a, and ended with a green 5.10c. After attempting that we were both dead. We went to Costco and got food for a Wride Christmas gathering tomorrow. And we also drove down to Lindon for BYU fan gear at 5pm, which was an impulse decision after I got a reply from a facebook person selling official BYU team gear. Because I had such success finding Tiny through facebook marketplace, Corey requested I look for some BYU stuff for Owen. We ended up driving down there and getting an official BYU Team issued jersey for Owen and a few hats. We also stopped by my parents again to see what they have in stock pile of bday presents. She gave me a few friend legos that she had on hand, plus some Star Wars figurines that I think we'll gift to Hyrum. He'd be able to come up with something fun with them. One of the kids was on my phone taking pics today and got one of him. 

...and our messy counter. And of Katharine eating.

She's cute. So busy busy day. Mel and Lily went to the Utah Symphony with Wayne tonight. Two last pics - Lily and Katharine taking selfies on my phone.

Still drawing on her face, and also dressed as a unicorn today, happily oblivious and above all the Christmas stress and to-do's.

 I want to be more like her.