Christmas oh Christmas, how much I love you. This holiday season has been absolutely amazing. It was our 2nd Christmas together and our first time spending it with my family. It was the first time James met my brother Bryant {
who is in the military and just doesn't get leave very often} and his first time splitting a holiday between two households. It has been two years since all of us we able to spend a holiday together {
minus my sister Paige, on account that she had a baby only a week or two before so couldn't be there}. I seriously can't describe how much fun it was.
Thursday:
We first started off the festivities by going to the Maaco Bowl to watch Kellen Moore and the Boise State Broncos dominate ASU in their last game of the year. James was
SUPER excited and it was a bitter/sweet time for him. It was my first time, however, and I was just stoked. I was thankful it was held in Vegas because; 1) we didn't have to travel far 2) so it wasn't anywhere colder where i would freeze my tushy off! We had great seats, but of course we just HAD to be sitting in front of the biggest jerk at the game. I could understand someone yelling/cheering for his or her team, but this guy decided to bash on
BSU by yelling TCU {
BIG NO NO} and he even bashed on ASU
{Um, excuse me sir, why are you here?}. Anyways, he was shut up real quick even after the first kickoff return {if you haven't seen it, look it up, it was priceless}. Ok ok, i'll stop talking about it and just move on, but first here are some pics!
First present, I had to give it to him before the game!
Kellen Moore, throwin' a few to warm up
Yup, those are the blue Elvis'
About to score...
Don't be fooled by my appearance in this picture, I am wearing Boise State gear
Friday:
We just spent most of the morning at my Mom's house just spending time with her until it was time for our Christmas activity with my Dad and Bonus Mom {Pam}. I must say I am quite impressed that NONE of us had any idea what we were doing that night, my dad and Pam had successfully kept it a secret from EVERYONE. Nothing slipped out. So as we are all getting ready to leave and my dad saying, "There aren't enough seats so two people are going to have to sit in the very back..." while discussing who was going to be the ones in the back and walking out to the car we come to find a limo at the end of our driveway...{Thought in my head: "WHHAAATTT...?"} I had never been in one and must admit I was surprised. After loading in (all 9 of us) it was announced that we would be going to 4 destinations and 1st stop was the Bellagio Buffet {YUMMY!}. If you have not ever been there, i highly suggest splurging one night for dinner and experiencing it. After stuffing our faces we get back into the limo and headed "somewhere", we didn't know where yet. Then Pam passed out maps and envelopes to everyone. They were maps of the Outlet Mall and there was money in the envelopes. We were given one hour to go find something we would like to buy {I promise you, we have never done this before}. James found some sweatshirts and I got myself a new peacoat. After that, we then went out to the motor speedway to see some of the light displays put on by different companies around the valley. Then we made our way up to the temple. This was one of the best parts. It was special, taking the time away from the city and after the worldly fun , to come up to the place that really matters and where we need to keep our focus on. We then headed home, AFTER stopping for dessert at Serendipity 3 off of the strip. Overall, it was a fun/memorable night.
Santa Hats! Before the festivities...
(I don't have any of the Limo Pics, so they will have to be posted at a later date)
Saturday:
Today was my mom's turn to have us. So in the afternoon we went over to her house and where greeted by all of my step siblings, my real siblings and my grandparents {whom I haven't seen since our wedding}. That whole day, Blair {step dad} and my mom had cooked the MOST DELICIOUS fried chicken I have ever had {and it was made in a dutch oven...man, I got to get me one of those!} and there was dutch oven potatoes and cobbler {you can't make dutch oven dinner and NOT make cobbler}. Then we just spent a few hours talking/playing with the family before having a white elephant exchange {I swear, James scored at every single one we participated. Only because everything we both got, applied to him. For example: Tools}. We then went bowling with just my mom, Blair, Chase, Kortney, James, Me and my adorable niece Camille. Overall, It was an awesome evening!
Picture Time!
Man, she is so stinkin' cute
She really liked the camera
Enjoying the food!
Family Photo infront of the Tree
I believe I can fly...
showin us how it's done
Mom and Blair
Sunday:
We all attended my mom's ward first so we could watch her sing in the choir, then went back to her house to open some presents. My mom had gotten me a REALLY cute pea-coat and I LOVE it! {picture will have to be added at a later date, seeing how I'M not looking as cute as it is, right now} I also got this awesomely huge stock pot, and I'm quite excited to use it! After leaving her house, we headed over to my dad's ward to watch my step mom sing! {Man, everyone is in a choir!} It was cool cause, Pam's parents {not mormon} were able to go to church with us and sing along. Anyways, after that we headed back to their place for more present action. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera ready {because I was surprised myself} when James had seen that we opened up an ipad. He was shocked and I'm not sure I've seen someone so surprised!
He is in Love
Monday:
This day was spent with family. We went to a movie {war horse} and lunch with my mom and Blair. And just spent some time at their house. Later, at my dad's house, we watched "White Christmas". {I know, I know, it was after Christmas. But not by much! AND James had never seen it before. I wasn't about to wait another year for him to see it}
Tuesday: We said our "Good-byes" and headed home
Overall: We had such a wonderful time this Christmas in Vegas with my family. We are so thankful for the wonderful parents that we have and for our awesome siblings. We are truly blessed for all that we have been given and for all the love and support that they give us also. I hope that we can strive everyday to show them how much they mean to us. Thank you! We Love You!
P.S. I'm writing this blog post on my family room floor in the fetal position {James makes fun, but hey, it's kinda comfy right now. Random I know.}
