Christmas Vacation...

Lots to catch up on!! We got back from our Utah Christmas vacation on Monday night. We had such a wonderful time soaking up the sun, hanging out with friends and most importantly, spending time with family! It was hard to leave, but I think we are getting back in the groove of things here again...well sort of:) At least there haven't been any tears from Maia since Tuesday so that's good!! She cried and cried for a couple of days saying she wanted to go back to Nana and Poppy's house, it was so sweet but so sad at the same time.
Here are a few of the things we did:
Got together with some high school friends before Christmas...I was SOOO glad I could see these gals! Love them!
This next picture is for you Julie...isn't this the cutest?
Gingerbread house with the Marchant cousins....Maia obviously took her job VERY seriously

Christmas Eve festivities...acting out the Nativity and singing lots of fun Christmas songs at the Marchant's..
Elsie loved these little jingle bells!
Christmas Morning..Maia was so excited to open presents...in fact in preparation for the big day she gathered up tons of random household items on Christmas Eve and had my mom and I wrap them up for her to open the next day.Isn't this a classic Christmas morning picture? Tired eyes, pj's, etc. Love it.
And Els just went around tearing and eating all of the wrapping paper. She was in heaven.
And I'm so mad that I wasn't better at taking pictures towards the end of the break! My sister came to visit and we did lots of fun things together and I didn't take a SINGLE picture of us!! SADDDD. I really am so sad. She got a few of our kids together so Sienna this is your hint to send them my way:) Here is one of them playing in the trough at my parents house..sporting the PJ's I made for them all...
Watching a movie with Nana and Poppy..
New Year's Eve...Dinner and hanging out with friends in St. George...

Mommy/Daughter date with some of the Marchant fam...
And some good fun playing with Poppy outside...
Maia LOVED jumping on the trampoline with Poppy!
Els was a little worried at first...she kept waving her arm up and down and had this nervous laugh that she would do. I love this picture though, looks like she is trying to ride a bull or something with her hand in the air like that!
It seriously was the greatest time!! I am so thankful to have such great families. I am especially thankful for how much my parents sacrifice for us!! I really can't even describe how wonderful they are. They constantly put our wants/needs above our own and just did so much for us. Their selflessness is something I need to work on for sure!! We love you and can't wait to see you this summer!