Little bit of everything.

So, Merry Christmas! And, Happy New Year! I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays. While I am up with a sick kiddo (would it really be a holiday without someone in my family getting sick? No!) I figured I could post some pictures of what we've been up to during the break.

Christmas was good, and toned down. Which was great for us. I got an awesome necklace that I can (and do) wear everyday and some maternity clothes. Randy got hooked up with some Jazz paraphernalia and random tools that I think are cool. Macey got these darling doll high chair and crib set, with a cabbage patch doll, and a little tykes digital camera. She was most excited for her slippers and Christmas pajamas, though. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas at our house, which I love! Macey was really into it this year. We talked about baby Jesus for a bit, but it wasn't long before she started talking about Santa's reindeer, cookies and presents. When we put her to bed, I knew we were in for a long night. She was so wired. She stayed up 'til 1 AM running circles around in her room singing "tinkle bells" and "Santa Claus is coming to town!" It was so dang cute that it was hard to get mad at her... especially since she knew to stay in her room. We had told her that Santa would not give her any presents if she came out. =) We ended up having to wake up her at 9 AM. Poor thing was exhausted... but I couldn't wait any more! She got right up and ran to the table to see that Santa had indeed eaten her cookies and milk she set out for him. She was thrilled! So cute. Can't wait for next year.

We had our good friends Ben and Sara and his brother Marc and wife Whitney over for Christmas dinner later that day. They are from London and didn't get to go home to see their families this year. We had fun stuffing ourselves with turkey (which I did again. I'm pretty much a professional by now), ham, loaded potatoes, salads, and all sorts of desserts. It was fun and relaxing... we played games for hours before the weather started getting really bad and they needed to hit the road. I think they are all sold on spending Christmas at home now, too. It's so nice!

The day after Christmas we made the icy trek to Logan to be with the Slades. It was a good time. Logan always treats us well. I snapped a few shots of Macey dancing around while Grandpa Larry played his guitar and sang Macey's favorite Christmas songs to her with Daddy playing his cello along, too. This is getting to be a tradition whenever we go visit, and it is so precious! Grandma Bonnie is usually playing the violin but she was busy with her camera, too (nevermind, I just found some with her in there playing the violoin. I'm too lazy to rewrite my sentence). =) These pictures will mean so much to Macey when she gets older. I have a new found appreciation for a grandparent/grandchild relationship. It is so sweet.

On the 30th we then ventured up to Idaho Falls to be with my fam. We spent New Years Eve eating my mom's famous clam chowder (that my dad requested we make) and inhaling as many chips, cookies, and carbonated bubbly drinks as we possibly could. It made for a good time.(I'll have to steal pictures posted on my sisters blogs, because I forgot my camera). My Dad taught me how to play Yahtzee! (and was a good sport about totally losing), and we had lots of old man laughter at each other's answers at Scattergories.We went to sleep totally exhausted. Macey woke up at 4:30 AM that morning with a barking cough that scared us both. She cried, and I cussed. We doctored her up with some Motrin today and later tonight to break her awful fever, I hope it's something she can sleep off. I'm a little worried though, because Randy's niece was dealing with croup while we were in Logan. Anyway, that's been our only set back this whole trip! It's been a great vacation, we're probably headed back tomorrow. Time to get back to reality! Randy starts his last semester of school on Monday. WOOT WOOT!

Happy Holidays, everyone! May 2009 be a great year for us all! =)