Christmas Recap

I know you all want to hear all about our exciting Christmas adventure in Utah.  I will attempt to recap our visit with Andy's family and I will be brief.

Flying out of Midway was stressful and almost didn't happen.  The ticketing line stretched through the rope maze, down a back hallway and out into the parking garage (with 17 degree temperature).  By the time we reached the agent at the counter, our flight was "closed" so she gave us security passes so we could run to our gate and see if anyone was still there.  Miraculously, we  made it onto our flight.  However our bags did not (more on that later).  Andy's sister Jen was on the same flight, and the girls sat with her most of the time.  It was the best flight ever.

We arrived in Salt Lake City on Sunday afternoon.  Our bags arrived Tuesday at 4am.  It was a Christmas miracle.  We survived off of borrowed clothes, Grandma's closet of clothes for the grandkids and a quick trip to K-Mart where Andy bought this awesome faux-vintage "Speed Fest" shirt (see picture above).   Tres chic (I know that needs and accent, but I don't know how to do it).

Christmas morning was magical... partly because we were finally wearing our own clean clothes, but also because Alli and Ruby were so excited.  Weeks ago Andy told Alli that Santa is pretend, and she was happy to pretend that Santa came.  She left out cookies and milk, and she was delighted that they were gone.  Ruby loved ripping open the pretty Christmas wrapping papers.

Santa was quite generous, and the girls were thrilled to open present after present.  Among other things, Alli got a real guitar that is just her size. Uncle Adam and Alli had a little jam session.  Ruby got a drum filled with other instruments.  She jammed too.

Alli and Ruby enjoyed bonding with their cousin Lucas.  This little guy is smart and super-cute.  He is ten months old, but the same size as Ruby (18 months old).  I was joking with Alli about her and Ruby and Lucas all going to BYU together and they could set each other up with their friends.  Alli informed me that she is marrying Elijah, so that will not be necessary.  Alli liked being bigger than Lucas. Ruby liked being faster than Lucas.  They all enjoyed playing together.

We all enjoyed a tremendous amount of great food!  And there were cookies, candy, and chocolates available 24/7.  Ruby discovered that she could move the barstool over to the candy counter and help herself.  We found Ruby this way on several occasions, surrounded by half-eaten bonbons (apparently she doesn't care for cherry).

Andy's mom goes all out for Christmas.  She decorates every room beautifully.  Alli and Ruby had fun looking at all the decorations, and they had even more fun rearranging them.  Ruby especially loved the snowman by the fireplace.  She carried him around all week.  Only a few things got broken. 

We did lots of fun things in Utah.  We went sledding, but not for long.  There was a little accident that left Alli face-down in the snow and ended all the fun.  She was fine, just cold and wet and startled.  We visited Andy's grandma Norma.  Alli and Ruby helped themselves to the snacks and goodies in her apartment.  We played games.  The Nicolls get super-competitive, usually in a fun way.  They seem to have a new card game every time we visit.  We went swimming.  My old roommate Stephanie and her husband visited us.  She is radiantly pregnant with a girl due in February.  I was glad that I got to rub her belly.  We went shopping (for fun).  We went out for dinner.  Andy and I went out on a date to the movies.

Unfortunately, it wasn't all fun and games.  After Christmas we learned that Andy's uncle Bruce has an aggressive form of cancer in his brain.  He had emergency brain surgery, and his situation is quite serious.  We are waiting for news and praying for the best.  Andy's sister had a miscarriage.  We are sad for her loss.  The last bit of our trip was heavy, but it was good to be with family.

We made it back to Chicago.  And everything fit into our suitcases.  And our suitcases came back on the same flight with us.  I am caught up on vacation laundry.  The girls are enjoying all of their Christmas gifts.  The Christmas cards are still not all out... but things are good.