Thursday, December 27, 2018

Christmas 2018

If we didn't love coming to town for Christmas, we wouldn't do it. We love it. and we are very blessed that we have two awesome families to celebrate with. But it is a WHIRLWIND trying to do everything with both our families!

Christmas Eve Breakfast @ Sue's
Sometime Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, both families usually go to a movie. We sat holiday movies out this year.
Christmas Eve Afternoon- Grandma Cook's Christmas Party
Christmas Eve Night- Grandma Jane's Christmas Party
Christmas Eve later @ Night- Open sibling gifts at my parents house
Christmas Eve Late- Gavin & I always open gifts to & from each other
Christmas morning- open our little family's Christmas gifts from Santa
Christmas morning- go to my parents to open gifts from Santa
Christmas morning- every year Gavin's Aunt Lorean hosts a Christmas morning breakfast. This was the first year we missed it.
Christmas afternoon- Gavin's family's Christmas celebration, dinner, & gifts.

Phew! 
Here's some pictures...

Both my boys got ear infections the day we left for Utah. Owen got over his really fast, but J was miserable for a couple weeks, despite shots and antibiotics. Poor baby! If you can't tell in these pictures- his face is all swollen and runny.

My parents always get us matching pajamas on Christmas Eve. It's such a fun tradition! Usually we get pajamas that we love and will wear again and again. No offense mom, but these ones aren't getting worn all too often!
Funny stories about the pajamas-
  • At first, Owen REFUSED to put the pajamas on. Gavin said he'd never been so proud in his life. Eventually we got him to put the pajamas on by convincing him that he'd be able to run extra fast in these pajamas because he wasn't wearing pants.
  • Because everyone looked the same, people were getting each other mixed up. At one point, I handed Trace my phone, thinking he was Gavin. The funniest is when Hailey came up behind Jake, wrapped her arm in his, and laid her head on his shoulder. Jake let her sit like that for about a whole minute until someone else noticed what was going on.
  • Megan's friend from the singles ward came over to my parent's house while we were all there opening presents. It was a little bit awkward. Jake texted the family "why is this guy here?" After the guy left, Jake said "I went to high school with him! Do you know how embarrassing that was?!"

Santa left a bike for Owen at our apartment in Texas. Owen looked over this picture again and again, and examined every inch of the bike. He told everyone he got a bike with a water bottle!

Soo spoiled!
One fun gift my sisters and I all got- tickets to see Wicked in Salt Lake in February! So, Owen and I got a bonus present of plane tickets to come back to Utah, so that I can see Wicked with my family!

Monday, December 17, 2018

December in Texas 2018

We started December off strong with a package of Christmas pajamas from "Gamma Cleary"
I was able to do some service for the Light the World challenge, because Gavin was home to help with the parenting duties! The second picture is an event with Heart House Dallas- a resource for school-aged refugee families.
 We went "Ralph Breaks the Internet" at our favorite sketchy theater.
 We spent time at the park... as always. The picture below is funny: I had to take it sneakily, to get the stranger in the picture! Look closely at how Utahns dress for 60 and sunny vs. how Texans dress for 60 and sunny!

We enjoyed the Christmas Festivities here- church parties, and Santa visits at Bass Pro Shops!



We left for Utah mid-December, but here's a few other random pictures taken during the month while we were still in Texas.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

November 2018

November in Texas was awesome! Full of great weather, visitors, and road trips! I did individual posts on the bigger events, like Owen's birthday, a trip to Waco with Gavin's mom and sister, and a trip to Austin for Thanksgiving... but keep reading here to see our other highlights from the month!


October was extremely rainy, washing out a lot of popular trails. So when we wanted to go hiking one day at the beginning of the month, we found this place! The Dogwood Audubon! 

A trip to the children's aquarium, where Owen pet some sting rays!


Gavin started his 8 week paternity leave right before Owen's birthday. We loved having him home with us and showing him where and how we find new places to play! This bike park in Frisco was awesome!

While we were playing at the leaves in the park, Gavin went boating with a friend who was also on paternity leave!

The Christmas festivities began soon after Thanksgiving! Starting with our hosted trip to the Grand Prairie Light Exhibit!

Here are a few other random pictures from the month!