The Holidays...a little late!

So I know the Holidays were quite a while ago, but I feel like I couldn't move on and blog about something else until I did the holidays justice.

We were able to go to Idaho for TWO whole weeks for Christmas- we were so lucky! I knew before we even got there that the trip would zoom by way too fast- and sure enough it did. It's amazing how fast the days can go by when you have so many people you want to see and so many things to catch up on!

Here were some highlights: (sorry for the extra bullets mingled in with the pictures- can't figure it out)

• McKay's 15th Birthday! Holy moly that shouldn't be possible. He even got his own cell phone this year. Dallan has the same phone McKay was getting- and we had it sitting on the kitchen table while we did the whole birthday song/blow out candles thing. Then Dallan called McKay's new phone, and we had McKay pick it up and answer it. When he said Hello we all busted out into the HAPPY BIRTHDAY song again- and he didn't get it. He put the phone down and kept eating his cake! Funny boy- when he finally found out it was his he was pretty embarrassed- but oh so happy!
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• Went and saw the Blind Side with my family- it's the second time Bridger and I saw it. We loved it THAT much. It's an incredible story with a lot of heart and sass. I just loved Sandra Bullock in this movie and almost wish I could be just like her in this film. She knows what she wants, does what she needs to get it, and doesn't let anyone scare her or stand in her way. It's a moving film, definitely a must-see!
• A couple of nights of dinner and games with the Booras family. They're all so fun and I still continue to thank Heavenly Father for such an amazing family that I joined!
• Jessica and Nick Drzayich hosted an ugly sweater Christmas party this year- it was fun! There were tons of people there, and once the party died down we had some fun playing Guestures. I can't say I played all that great- heck I actually blew it one round, but it was sure fun! Before the party we stopped by Katy Fein's engagement party so see her and her new fiance. She was BEAMING and looked absolutely beautiful- they're getting married in August in Oregon- she'll be a stunning bride.
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  Christmas Eve we went with my family to Midnight Mass. We were all really excited to go see something new. It was way different than what we expected- a more modern church and more modern music. We'll probably hit the church downtown next time we do that. We also had a scrumptious dinner- gotta love mama's cookin! My mom always knows how to make the holidays so special.
• Christmas morning didn't start until about 11:00! How heavenly :) Since we didnt get to sleep til about 3 in the morning, we promised my mom we'd sleep in so she could play Santa Clause in the morning without rushing too much. As if sleeping in is a problem for me...It was the perfect Christmas. Simple, quiet, and just what I needed. We spent the day in our pajamas playing with all the new "toys", playing Mario Kart, and taking naps. That evening Bridger and I went to his dad's house for some dinner and games, and then met up with my family back at my grandma's to say Hi for a little bit! I must admit, it is pretty exhausting having both families live in the same town. We're constantly going back and forth and missing out on something- but I wouldn't have it any other way. I really do feel blessed to be able to see both our families so much!
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  The morning after Christmas we headed up to McCall to have some fun in the snow. I slept a TON!!!! I felt like a hibernating bear- but mom insisted that it was good for me to catch up from the previous stressful semester and to get ready for the even more stressful one that was to come (and now I am fully feeling the stress of it all!). Clark and Jane's family was up there and Martha came with as well. I love family!
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  We headed back a few days later to celebrate Christmas with Bridger's family. Even though we saw them Christmas night, we didn't do the whole present thing until the 28th because Marianne's son was with his dad for Christmas. Pete and Marianne decked me out with all the BSU gear i'd ever need for the FIESTA BOWL!!!
• We went bowling with my family- and I'm proud to say I got over 100- Whew! It was hard work :) I'm the most inconsistent bowler of all time.
• I finally got to see Ashley's house! Jessica, Erin and I headed over to her house for an evening of dinner and catching up. Her house is DARLING. Makes me want one so bad! She's redone a lot of it, with new flooring and such, and she's done a great job! It was so good to catch up with friends and have some good old fashioned girl time. I need that every now and then- definitely more than I get! These girls are life-long friends and i'm so grateful for them! And I got to meet Baby Jack! He's too cute- and I'm excited Erin will be moving to Salt Lake later this year so we can finally be around each other again!
• I was able to see two of the greatest people while I was home- Annie Reed and Karen Elitharp. Annie and I have been friends since I was 4 and she was 2. I'm so happy we've stayed in touch, and it feels like we were never apart when we finally get together! We had a nice chat at Olive Garden- and although it was short, it was great to see her. She's so positive and upbeat- a person you can't help but smile when you're around her. I then spent an afternoon with Karen (who I used to nanny for). I lose track of time whenever I go to her house! We can talk about anything and everything for HOURS! We were brought back to earth when someone knocked on the door and it was Ryder's ride for basketball- we hadn't even noticed it was that late! I'm so grateful for the chance I had to work for her and Cory, and know that the Elitharp family will always be cherished friends.
• We headed back up to the mountains to spend New Years with Pete and Marianne. They just finished their cabin and it is beyond beautiful. They put a lot of work into it and did much of it themselves. It definitely will be a place I know they will treasure! Pete was stretchin' it to make it to 12:00 but he made it through and we rang in the new year!
• Practically every night we were there we stayed up til 1 or 2 in the morning playing Ticket to Ride and then Mario Kart on the Wii with Dallan and McKay. Dallan and I were on a team and we DOMINATED. There were plenty of laughs to be had those nights, even if many of them were at my expense. For some reason I think that if I lean forward when I am nearing the finish line that it will get me there faster. Seems logical right? HA!
• After two weeks in Eagle we headed to Arizona to the Fiesta Bowl! YA BABY! We went to the one in 2007 and weren't about to miss this one! BSU football always makes things exciting. We were there from Saturday til Tuesday morning, so it was nice to soak up some warm weather before heading back to snow capped mountains. I guess they are more covered than capped! The boys went to the Cardinals vs. Packers game and the girls decided that wasn't our cup of tea- so we went and hit some shops. At Anthropologie Sarah and I saw that some TCU fans had set up these letters to say GO TCU! Of course we had to one-up them- we found these BOLDER, BRIGHTER, and BETTER letters to show our support for the Broncos. I say we did more than just one-up them! We also saw Sherlock Holmes- and while I slept through the first 20 minutes it was still a pretty decent movie! The big game was Monday night- and we were there at the 45 yard line yelling and hollering the whole time! I can't believe I didn't lose my voice, because there was hardly a moment I wasn't screaming. I guess I have strong vocal cords! But they sure hurt by the end. It was a tense game- and I was so happy when we clenched the victory again!

• Tuesday morning we headed back and jumped straight into school. I was in our apartment for literally 20 minutes before Bridger dropped me off at my first class of the day (or at least the first I made it to!) It was a harsh hit back to reality- and I will admit I was in full on tears when I had to leave my family! Being with them for two and a half weeks was perfect, and I was so sad to see it come to an end.

So there you have it- our Christmas break in a nutshell. It was incredible- even perfect. There is definitely nothing like home for the holidays. We're looking forward to this new year- for all its excitement and surprises it has to offer. It will be even busier than the last- as hard as that is to believe. But we just keep rolling with it and try to keep smiling through all of the craziness! This will be a year of learning I think- I'll finish up 23.5 credits this semester (kill me now!), and then I'll get about 9 days for a break before Dental Hygiene school starts. Makes me tired just thinking about it! I know that if Bridger and I keep our priorities straight and focus on what is important, we will make it through somehow! I'm trying to learn the principle of balance in my life- and it's harder to do than I ever thought! Balancing school, church, family, fun, exercise, and everything else is teaching me a lot already.

Here is to a new year! Bring on 2010!