Christmas in Utah

It took me a long time to go through the 1,700 photos I took while we were in Utah for Christmas.  I have to admit, I took a lot of a few events, but I didn't take any of others and I feel a little bit sad I missed a bunch of opportunities to get some super fun pictures.  My heart breaks a little thinking about it.  Sad.  It was really a Winter Wonderland in Utah while we were there.  I WISH I had gotten out to capture some of the beauty, but I didn't.  It was incredible.  We flew in on December 22nd and it was a clear, sunny day.  That night it snowed and basically kept up the snow through our entire trip until the day we left with just a few breaks here and there.  It was just what I wanted for Christmas.  I love seasons and snow is what winter should be.

We got up at 2am the morning we left.  Adam couldn't have been a better little boy.  We took the shuttle from Port Orchard to the Seattle airport and he made the ride without any kind of problems at all.  He just played on our laps (the shuttle was completely full) and watched out the window the entire hour long ride (remember it was about 3-4am).  Then we got checked in and through security...again...no crying, no whining, just a happy little two year old who is as cute as can be.  He and David then played until we boarded our flight.  He was loving watching out the windows and seeing all the planes and trucks outside.  Once on the plane, he fell asleep in David's arms and when he woke up he was still so happy.  I couldn't have asked for anything better than he was.  I remember telling David how glad I was he was coming with us on the airplane this time (Adam and I have only flown together in the past) and once Adam was old enough to realize he didn't want to just sit in my lap, it was pretty difficult.  The older he gets, the harder it is to travel with him.  I am sure after how amazing Adam was on this trip, David probably thinks I made up all my stories from our trips together.  But really, Adam was so great.

When we got to Utah, we picked up the car our friends so graciously let us borrow for the time we were there (THANK YOU SONKENS!) and headed to meet the Hall's and their new little man, Sam.  Danielle and Michael had Sam earlier this year after a long struggle with infertility and I have been so sad that I hadn't been able to hold him yet.  It was so fun to see them and watch them with their little miracle man.  They are amazing people and Sam is so lucky to have them as parents.  I love them.  Here is the cute boy that was worth every minute of waiting.  Aren't they such a beautiful family?  I sure miss them.

Then we headed to Wolf Creek to spend a few days with my mom.  I didn't take out my camera much while we were there...pretty much about twenty minutes before we left I got a few photos of Adam playing in the snow as David was packing up the car.  I'm so sad that I didn't get any of Mom.  I suck.

We left Wolf Creek and headed up to Logan the morning of Christmas Eve.  That night we got together with Kaira, Daryl, Janet and Cory and Abby's family.  We watched a movie about the Christmas story, exchanged white elephant gifts and played games.  It was so much fun.  This is what Christmas is all about for us.  I would trade a million presents under the tree for a night with people I love.  Adam adored his cousin, Blaine.  He never just sits on someones lap, but he chilled on Blaine for the entire movie.  I think I have over 50 pictures of this.  I will keep every single one, but since you probably get the idea with the two below I won't make you have to see them all.  Although, if you want to, just let me know and I will send them your way.  It's pretty freakin' adorable.

Adam's other favorite spot was on the leg rest of the couch.  If it was up, he was on it.  Here are Blaine and Zander.  Love these two.

Lilly was hilarious.  She was constantly making faces for me to take pictures of and then she would want to see them on the camera.  I got some awesome shots of this funny girl.

Jess and Cory...Jess just turned 16.  I don't know what I am going to do when she is an adult.  I feel like I am missing out on so much of their lives.

Then Lilly giving Abby some love.  I look up to Abby and her mom skills.  The way her kids love her is pretty incredible...and shows what an amazing mom she is.

Zander being Zander.  I miss this little guy.

Grandma Janet and the kids.  Cory and Abby...they are pretty good lookin'...and they make some pretty good lookin' kids.

Lilly pretty much showed everyone who is boss when it comes to kissing.  This girl has skills...mad skills.

My attempt at learning from Lilly...and Daryl should know that if he photo-bombs a picture on my camera that it will get published.  Lesson learned, right Daryl?

White Elephant exchange.  I got a few photos and then set the camera down to get serious about the game.  There were some heart shaped measuring spoons I was determined to get and the camera was a distraction. Then we played the name game.  That is always a great time.  All my action photos just don't do the funniness justice.  And, yes, I did get my measuring spoons.

Christmas morning was pretty relaxing.  We did some presents and I, again, failed to capture the moments.  That afternoon most of the family went to see Les Miserables.  It is a pretty big deal in the Nani family so I said I would stay home and watch the kids so they could all go together.  They loved it.  It made the grown men in the family cry like little children.  I am a bit sad I missed that part...

Adam and I had PB & J's.  He is so funny.  I love watching this kid.

Boys playing the piano.  Adam loves music.  I love that he loves music.

David teaching the little ones how to play Mastermind.  It's pretty cute watching David with kids.  He was born to be a dad and an uncle.

This photo is an inappropriate inside joke with the family.  You guys know what it is...

Parking the cars.

We left Logan on Friday morning and heading to Kendal and Kendra's.  That night I went to dinner with my Provo Floral girls.  It was a night of good food and a lot of laughing.  I miss those girls.  I forgot to take my camera...blah.  I suck.  My girl, Jill, got these on her phone.  Photos of the two of us are really hard to come by, so I cherish these.  Wish I had more photos of that night.  I miss my girls.

Kristin and Adam having fun together.

Grandpa Terry came over for brunch on Saturday.  It was a lot of fun to see him and the kids really enjoyed helping him make the food.  So cute.

Being a boy.

We brought Adam's Batman masks and capes.  Kristin loved it.  Kennedy was so scared of her.  She kept telling Kristin, "No, no, no..."  This captures the fear in her face pretty well, I think.

Kaden was pretty determined to not get in front of the camera.  I wish I had more pictures of this cute boy.  He is a crack up for sure.

No, I did not pose this.  Kristin did it all on her own.  Such a cute girl.

Adam likes to ride on the back of trucks.  David thinks it is because he sees Lotso do it in Toy Story 3.

After naps we went to the Truscotts to see our dear friends.  Adam was in heaven with their dog, Rho.  He knows how to say dog in sign language and whenever Rho went out of the room he would make the sign for dog and then go "where is it?"  He would love on dogs all day long.  He has no fear when it comes to them.  We planned to spent the evening just hanging out, but Zac got sick all of a sudden and we didn't get to.  I am still pretty sad we only got an hour or so with them, but an hour is better than nothing.  Zac, Jana and Bennett are family to us and we love them with all our being.  Later we played games with the Sonkens.  Again, I failed at capturing any part of the Sonkens on our trip and I hurt in my heart for it.  We love you Bri, Stephen and baby Sonkens!

Adam spent a lot of time picking on Kennedy...and a lot of time in time outs for it.  There were a few moments of peace between them.  They are perfection.

Jumping on Grandma's bed.  Again, a few moments of playing versus Adam beating on Kennedy.  Nice change of pace.

Cory and kids came down to see us one last time.  Blaine was so patient with Adam and spent the whole night building with him.  No one else existed to Adam once Blaine was there.  So much fun.

I failed to get many pictures of Kendal and Kendra...I still suck.  At least I got these and look how much Kennedy loves her daddy.  It's adorable.

Well, that is it.  Thanks for taking the time to stop in and see this massive post.  We sure had a great time in Utah visiting all our friends and family.  I couldn't have asked for anything else for Christmas.  Thank you all for taking the time to see us and for all that you did for us while we were there.  We love and miss you all and our only regret is that we didn't have more time to see more friends.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!