Christmas is a production every year. More so when you take it on the road. This was a feat never beforehand attempted - but we did it this year! Mission accomplished. In years past I've felt a bit sad when the extended family has gathered together for Christmas. I wanted it one time for my kids to experience an Idaho Christmas. I wanted the traditions, the family, the food, the snow, the cousins and grandparents - just the way my Christmas's were growing up.
We had the best time - from start to finish. By a miracle, we all stayed healthy, and we were there a long time. Mallory got a little sick on the flight home, you'd think I would have been sad but I was so excited, I felt like it was a tender little mercy that she held out until we left to come down with a bug.
Our journey started in Rexburg, moved to Idaho Falls (Christmas) and then to Provo (New Years Eve).
We were able to see 35 cousins and 22 Aunts and uncles. We saw everyone on Chris's side and all but a few sickies (which by the way was the most sad no Amy or Emmy, and Ryan's family didn't make it on my side).
Ready or Not - here we go!
I took a picture of the the luggage going through security. FYI - the security guards don't like that.
REXBURG!!
You know we're in Rexburg when the Graham Stacker worlds start getting created.
Or when you find snow. So sadly it never snowed while we were there. Luckily there was enough left over to enjoy.
It was a snow play day. We headed over to the England's to get our snow fix. Mallory and Mason didn't last long. After a few snow angels and snow balls they realized the snow makes your hands really cold. They much preferred the hot cocoa and warm soup they could find indoors.
Do you know what's scary? Charlotte driving Me, Chris and Roz on the sled. She's not a great driver.
IDAHO FALLS!!
I was so excited to do a Christmas Nativity with more then the 6 of us. We gave my mom and dad these costumes and loved the excitement of everyone getting dressed up. My dad was the mean bossy shepard and i was his sheep. Rozlyn also made an excellent Joseph. You do what you got to do.
Matching Christmas Eve jammies! I was so excited about these. I loved them. I'm only sad that we never got a shot of all the grandkids together in them.
Ski Day!
Char and Roz at Ski School. It was both of there first times to ski. We wondered if they'd ever get off the bunny hill when we first dropped them off but they learned so quick and the last half of the day they spent with us on the hills. It was so much fun and Charlotte asked if we could do it every year. Okay.
Idaho is so pretty!
Breaking the piñata and opening pound presents at the church gym.
Crafting a stick bomb.
A day of fun in the school gym. Tons of games and races and pick-up basketball games. We played the largest version of the games sardines (opposite of hide and seek) in the church. It was the most fun game that grandparents, parents and kids could all enjoy the same. We loved it!
A-caving-we-will-go! We headed out with the kids to the 17mile cave outside of I.F. It seems like just yesterday we were going there in High School and now there are kids everywhere - and they're mine! It was a lot of fun!
UTAH!!
We've shifted from the Morris's to the Grahams. This picture is called future cougars. (You can see the Y under the snow). Like it or not. Start em when they're young loving BYU. The best way to do that is with some sugar at the creamery.
Just chillin with our friend Cosmo.
The train ride to SLC from Provo. Mallory had a hard time all weekend knowing what age she was. I really think that she thinks she's 16.
I love to see the temple! Christmas goals - visit the Temple Square Christmas Lights with my kids. Check!
Hanging out at Temple Square. It was packed, and cold. The crowds were just crazy, I was surprised because we went after Christmas, this was the 30th I think.
We went to City Creek and saw the candy displays in the windows. This picture makes me laugh so hard. This was our crowd - just the kids! This is who we had to keep in tow. We must have been a sight!
We had the best New Years Eve party. Julie and her family hosted at their home and it was amazing! No detail was spared. We had the entire Graham family there - every sibling, every grandkid (except Jason on his mission and Stefanie who's a responsible adult in Chicago)- Amazing!
We all did year in reviews and shared them, ate, made resolutions, ate, photo boothed, ate, dance party, ate, sent off glow lantern, and ate. It was perfect!
43 people that I love!
I got a new years kiss from this guy - lucky me!
I love the awkwardness of this photo. This is so uncharacteristic of any of these Graham boys.
I felt like I was in the Rapunzel movie. My kids loved this - so did I.
Dance party all night. My kids are now prepared for future youth dances. The Franc cousins showed them the way. This dance club was complete with security & some bouncers, courtesy of my nephews - and they took their jobs seriously! Occasionally the dance party would congo line upstairs to add some life to the adults up stairs.
My mission was accomplished - we had an Idaho Christmas! I was so thankful that everything went so smoothly. I'm so happy we got to see all the people we did and do all the things we did. The holidays are magical when spent with family. We have this holiday in the books, (and now on the blog). They're memories will hold onto forever.
