The Young and the Restless

Hunkered down for New Years

4 states and 4 hotels within 5 days was all a bit much. I was ready to get to Utah, unpack, unwind and stay for a spell. We said good-bye to Vegas...

drove through the beautiful gorge, said good-bye to the sun...

and hello to the beautiful winter wonderland....

The weather outside was frightful, but the mood was so delightful (too tired to google if that's what the words actually say).  We enjoyed a few snow days then settled in for a quiet and cozy New Year's eve.  We're talking in bed by 9:30, quiet.  My poor mom was so so sick with pnemonia and I was sad that we didn't get to spend much time together since she was up in bed the majority of the time.  It was hard seeing her like that.  We did enjoy some quiet time cozied up by the fire in our matching wool socks after a pizza dinner and before calling it a night.  Jason, Kylie and Jayden stayed up until midnight, but I was long gone at that point.

I can't forget to mention our evening entertainment.  They put on quite a show with some original hits that they performed.

When the boys were up at the crack of dawn the next day, I was glad I decided to call it an early night. All I know is that the next morning brought a beautiful start to a new year.

The kids discovered the joy of 100% pure organic snow cones.  The girls preferred it topped with juice, but Hershey's syrup was Maddox's drug of choice.  Ryder looks content to just eat the countertop.

poor Jayden got so sick.  In hindsight I think it was influenza.  All I know is that after like day 5 my sense of sympathy was quickly dwindling and the endless moaning drove me nuts.  This "sympathy exhaustion" is a real thing, just ask my SIL, she's getting a master's in psychology so she should know.  Atleast that's how I justified sticking him in the very back of the car and turning the radio up loud enough to drown out his moans for the 7 1/2 hr drive home.  Sometimes I'm such a good mom it blows my mind.  But seriously, poor little guy, definately not a way to spend your vacation.  It broke my heart (for the first 5 days).  Sweet Zuno would rotate keeping watch between Jayden's bedside and my Mom's.  My stone cold heart is starting to melt and their may be a puppy sized hole in there just waiting to be filled after all.

Since we (okay, mostly me) were too tired on New Year's for any games, we pushed it back to the next day and had a rousing game of "Telestrations".  We had Jessica's name for Christmas and we bought her the game, but since she was out of town visiting Janessa, we took it upon ourselves to try the new game out for her.  It is the funniest game ever.  I'm especially grateful for the time we got to spend with my brother, Todd.  He'll be leaving on his mission next month, so cool to be in one of the first waves of 18 yr old missionaries to go out.  Long Beach suits him well, he's going to have an amazing experience.  I also got to slip out earlier in the day for a fun shopping day in St. George with my SIL Dawn and little baby John. Loved every minute of it.

It was such a fun Christmas break.  The sickness, now that is something I could have done with out, oh, and all the driving.  But the inbetweens made it all worth it.  What a great start to another wonderful year!  So grateful for each day and each year that I have to spend with the ones I love. I have such a beautiful life and am excited for the new adventures that are waiting for us in the new year!

and as eager as I was to see the snow, I was even more anxious to get back to the sun.  Utah, you are beautiful, but the desert, you are my home.