One Month Ago...

We had a 2 WEEK!! visit to UT this Christmas and here is the rundown of another great trip with the fams.

We left at 8:30pm, drove all through the night, and headed south toward Vegas to avoid the storms and chains needed to get over the pass at Tahoe.  We only had to stop twice to get gas and feed Mia and we arrived at 11:30am exhausted but so happy to be there and so happy that we didn't have to buy plane tickets this year! We loved having our own car too and didn't have to mooch like we've been doing for the last 7 years :)

We pulled up to Mindy and Bryce's house to meet our newest little nephew, Matthew Brent Mildon, who was only 4lbs. 12oz and one week old (he was 3.5 weeks early).  He was the sweetest, tiniest little human I have ever seen in real life and Mia just looked like a GIANT next to him.

 so, so teeny!

 we all needed naps to recover from the drive

 On Sunday we went to church with Dave's family and were so surprised to see Mike and Dexter walk in...this was our first time meeting Mr. Dex and we couldn't believe how handsome and happy this guy is--he just smiles every time you look at him.

 that night we went to the 19th Annual Christmas sing-a-long at my cousins' house and Dave and I were Mary and Joseph this year...

 the kids loved dressing up and playing with all the cousins and aunts and uncles.

The food is always sooooo good and this is definitely one of my favorite traditions of Christmas in UT 

 Aunt Rach looking gorgeous as usual

Mindy with her new little guy

The night at the lights was pretty chilly but very beautiful

 we met my family at Dimple Dell rec center for a little swimming party. the water was a little chilly for my liking but we still had a great time and got out when everyone's lips were purple :) this was Mia's first real swimming adventure and I think she loved it!

 Christmas Eve morning pancakes

 the kids loved chasing Dex around and were doing races with him up and down the hallways

 her favorite sleeping buddy, snail

 Christmas Eve gift exchange with Francis fam was AWESOME-- the kids were so happy to finally get a pillow pet and Zanna was just jumping up and down and hugged me so tight with excitement. we all got very spoiled and stuffed full of yummy dinner and we just love this night together.  

 cute Grandpa feeling the joy of Christmas with the babes

Grandma is having a deep thought here :)

 Wii are now in business at Grandpa and Grandmas!

 no, we did now coordinate our peach shirts :)

 Christmas morning before the kids...

 and After.  

Zanna got Julie, her first American Girl doll and James got a sweet Batman Castle from Santa

 and Mia got her first candy cane

 We headed over to Mike and Amanda's for a delicious Christmas brunch, a new tradition this year 

 and Mia showed Mikey the love

 we then headed down to Scott and Andrea's to spend Christmas day with the Mumfords and eat more amazing food, open presents and play, play, play.

Mia and Matty eating waffles :)

 Dave hates our pillows and when we napped at Mindy's he loved their pillows so she gave it to him for Christmas :)

 James got a cool skatepark for all his tech decks and was soooo happy!

 Family lunch at a Thai place in American Fork

 can you see the family resemblance here??

 we met up with Taylor and AnnDee for some "sledding" on the road pulled by a 4-wheeler. Sterling met us there too and it was a fun afternoon.  I was all decked out to sled but it was really cold so I stayed in with Mia and was a little sad to not get my "play in the snow" time, but was happy the kids had so much fun

 We had two great Francis family nights out, but I only had my camera one night. We ate at the Porcupine Grill one night (sooooo good!) with just the adults and then we had a Fat Cats and Neilson's Frozen Custard night with the kids-- we love those two places, especially in one night!

 Grandma and Mims

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

We were so happy to get to be a part of my fam's traditional mixed-up dinner New Year's Eve night and loved the celebration attire this year.

 James and Dave taking their menus very seriously

 this one just makes me laugh :)

 the gang

 sweet Eliza

 I got all my utensils in one course--oops!

 Mind and Andrea and little Matthew

 the IT guys trying to get the slide show ready

 the kids and Grandma hot tubbed in FREEZING temperatures at 11pm!

 mom out at midnight popping fireworks and blowing horns

 watching fireworks in the neighborhood

Even Mia was still in party mode!

What a great trip and we are so lucky to have such fun families who love to be together!

THANK YOU to our parents for spoiling us this year (again!) and for all you do to keep our families close.  We love you and wish you a HAPPY 2011!


(PS- we also loved seeing our Hershey Friends, the McCanns and Gina and Melanie but didn't take any pictures--lame, but so fun to catch up again :) And, we had a great night out with the "Neil Diamond" clan but didn't get any pictures of that either! Next year...