Christmas 2021!

This Christmas was definitely the most chill in our entire lives. John and I had the flu the entire week before Christmas--he stayed home from work and I would go teach my classes and come home and get back in bed. Since we had all the kids for Thanksgiving, they were spread out this Christmas at in-laws or doing their own thing. John and I mustered up the energy to go to his choice of restaurants Christmas Eve, Robintino's, and that was all we could muster.

Christmas was on a Saturday this year. We met Grayson and Caroline at the Spiderman movie in Lehi at 11:30am Christmas day, then went to Garrett & Julia's house for presents, dinner and gingerbread houses the rest of the holiday. It was nice to have a slow-paced, relaxed Christmas but so fun to be around the young children and see the excitement and joy on their faces too. We missed the other kids and grandkids but got to FaceTime or text so we could touch base. 

 

Beckham's 1st Birthday!

We had the best time celebrating Beckham's 1st birthday! We opened presents, went to Build-A-Bear, ate dinner at Wolfgang Puck Player's Locker, got ice cream treats, and watched a Christmas parade at Summerlin Mall. What a fun day celebrating the sweetest boy!!!

 

December Pre-Christmas

Lots of December driving--spending 3 of 4 weekends in St. George!

The first weekend Grayson had a bachelor's trip to Vegas for Luke Johnson's upcoming wedding and Patrick had a big bike ride planned with his friends up our way so I snagged Caroline to go down and meet up with Hillary's fam for a couple of days and enjoy some sun and warmth!

 

Our next week was filled with holiday parties, Christmas lights, FaceTiming the grandkids so John could show them the "Lamby" puppet which they love, and helping Garrett and Julia out a bit since they were down with the flu. Sadie and I had the best time at the Encanto movie and she was so good the whole 90 minutes! And then the scariest drive of my life took place on our second weekend trip to St. George for John's St. George office party at the Stage Coach Grill at Zion National Park. It was the first huge snowstorm of the season and it took us 6-1/2 hours to get there with the storm and road conditions. I may have even cried several times during those hours... so grateful we made it!!!

December had me subbing a lot for other fitness instructors, final Christmas prep and dropping off neighbor gifts. I also got to attend my cute piano students' dance recital up at the U of U. They are beautiful little dancers and I love teaching them piano. While I was at the recital, John was in California at the Chiefs vs. Chargers football game with some clients for a couple of days.

For our third St. George weekend road trip I picked Julia and the kids up at their house Friday morning and dropped them off in St. George. Garrett was driving down later that evening after work and they were there for Julia's sister's wedding weekend. I continued driving to Las Vegas where I picked John up from his carpool coming from the California football game and we dropped off Tank at a Rover house and headed to the Coffey's to celebrate Beckham's 1st Birthday.

Thanksgiving Week 2021--So Grateful!

TUESDAY, Nov. 23 - We flew the whole family to Idaho to be together at Thanksgiving. Our travel group consisted of Garrett's fam, and Grayson and Caroline from the SLC airport. Hillary's family flew in from Vegas a couple hours later. We headed straight for Hailey's house in Post Falls after we arrived for dinner.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 24 - Swimming and hot tubbing at the hotel, pedicures and manicures for all the girls and a Santa Cruise that evening on Lake Couer d'Alene with lots of lights and fireworks. Dinner at Elmer's before bed.

THURSDAY, Nov. 25 - Turkey Gobbler 5K for John, Hillary, Julia and Hailey while the rest of us ate numerous breakfasts. Swimming til the girls got tired. The guys had James Bond movie day at the theater and then we took quick family pictures at the Couer d'Alene resort and enjoyed Thanksgiving Dinner at Dockside Restaurant.

FRIDAY - Scarlett Renee's Blessing Day! We felt so blessed to have our whole family together to participate in this special day. After the blessing we all went our separate ways back to our homes and the Coffey's went to Seattle for a couple of days since they were so close and had never been there. Grateful for a wonderful week with family and cherished memories.