More Christmas

The best part of Christmas was hanging out with my whole fam! Jord missed the last two Decembers since he was on a mission, so it was wonderful to have the whole family together this year! This is going to be a big, rambling post but I only see my fam 2-3 times a year, so I'm allowed to have a long, wordy post. Within two minutes of arriving at my parent's house, Bryn had already discovered the dress-ups and bins of toys. She was in heaven the whole trip with so much attention and so many new things to play with! We always look our finest on Christmas morning Santa brought Bryn a new stroller for her dolls, and it was a big hit. My Dad's birthday is on Christmas day and he turned the big 5-0 this year. Please note that Marie is mid-punch during this picture. Caught! My brothers were gifted several lovely (old) sweaters from my Dad's closet, as well as this beautiful set of striped pajamas that my Dad wore throughout our childhood. Jae was a little sour he wasn't given the jammies, but he doesn't have the hair for them anyway. This might be my favorite memory of the trip. A hungry hawk snuck into the coop of my Dad's beloved homing pigeons and had a nice pigeon meal. Then the hawk got stuck in the coop and couldn't get out. My Dad pulled out his thickest work gloves, goggles, and wellies, charged into the coop, caught the hawk, boxed him up, and drove him to Uncle Shayne's house for a late Christmas gift. Once again, Bryn enjoyed Logan's ever-growing glasses collection. Dinner and games with my Clarke grandparents We had a little scone party with friends. Actually we made scones twice in 5 days. But who's counting? (My Mom's scones were 10 times lighter and more delicious than the thick and heavy scones I made for my Young Women and leaders three weeks ago. Ugh....embarrassing. Wish I would have used my Mom's recipe!)

Logan is the best uncle to Bryn. He's the older brother she'll never have.

And this is what I'll miss the most: Bryn having one-on-one time with Grandma! Bryn got so attached to my mom and followed her around the whole trip. It was a teary moment when we left to drive home and Bryn and my Mom said their goodbyes. What a great trip! I have the best family and it was such a treat to be with them. To watch home videos, play games, laugh at each other, eat one great meal after another, hear funny stories of my sibling's latest break-ups and crushes, testimony meetings and hearing counsel from my Dad. I loved every minute of it, and I can't wait to see my family again....when they come to visit us this Spring (hint hint!).