Christmas Time is Here!

For Christmas this year, we drove down to CA to spend some time with my family. We don't get to see them that often so it was really nice to be there. Although the entire time I was feeling very crummy thanks to the little wee one in my belly... anyway, it was still fun!

Sunset in middle of nowhere, Utah. I don't even think we were to Scipio yet...

Our hotel room in Vegas. We stayed at the Clarion.

Sean was getting his socks and shoes on, and Blaze had other ideas; he decided to sit on Sean's feet. 

Our little family!

 Honestly, Blaze does amazingly well on car trips.

And that sheet? Well, let's just say that very minimal dog hair got in the back seat. Score.

I think he was really trying to get to the AC vent, but I decided he was in fact smiling for a picture.

So once we were home, we went inside and hugged family. Then I went out to the car to get Blaze's food, but I also grabbed the ultrasound pictures we had received the day before at my OB appointment. My dad was playing the piano and my mom was in the kitchen, so I dropped the pictures on the keyboard, and once he processed he almost started crying :) (Those of you that know me well know my goal with gifts is to make my dad laugh or cry.) He started calling for my mom who was saying, "In a minute!" but he persisted, and when she came over, she grabbed the pictures, got REALLY excited, hugged me and then said, "YOU LIED TO ME AT THANKSGIVING!" No joke. But they were all very excited, and the pictures hung on the fridge all week.

The rest of the week consisted of a lot of TV, dogs, and lying around. Not bad for a vacation.

Sunday after church. My mom asked me to accompany one of the Christmas songs on the flute. It had been 10 years or so since I had played the flute, but with lots of practice it was great!

(Caution: dog picture overload below)

Ruby. How she does that with her neck, I have no idea.

Sandi and Rocky. They can often be found snuggling.

My mom loves her dogs so much! (That's Rocky giving kisses.)

Blaze and Ruby reunited again. They used to sleep like this all the time.

(Oh side note: On the night before Christmas Eve day, my mom made 4 dozen cookies for my dad to take to work the next day. Blaze escaped his room and ate ALL of them, then threw them up in the kitchen. That was a wonderful wakeup call...)

Wow I can't tell if the one on the right is Blaze or Rocky. 

But that's Ruby on the left picking a fight, as usual...

Rocky loves his duck. And whatever other toys he can fit into his mouth.

Did you know dog wrestling is one of my magic powers?

Those dogs love food, and begging.

Princess Ruby. Jenny wasn't even home at this point, and my mom let Ruby sleep on that bed.

My mom's gorgeous mantle, and about 1/3 of her nutcracker collection.

And the roaring fire Sean made.  

Tim played a lot of video games, and Sean watched. I asked if he liked watching and he said, "Yes! It's like watching a movie, but better, 'cause when I say 'Do this' it actually happens!" 

Lots of rain made for some pretty rainbows!

Successful shopping trip at the Gilroy, CA outlets! Even Sean got stuff! 

On our way back. Gorgeous countryside. I half expected to see Maria von Trapp

Rainbows in mirror are closer than they appear.

Somewhere close to Tehachapi. Those are the windmills.

Such a fun trip! Can't wait to go again! Won't be for a while, probably won't be taking any fun trips for a long while, until after this little one is born...

Well Sean is on his way home, I should probably stop eating Cheez-Its and make some dinner.