Christmas in California 2013

So on December 17th we got up at 1 in the morning and started to trip to California! If I remember correctly Wyatt had woken up just before 1 and when I got back in bed Brandon suggested that we just leave instead of going back to sleep for another hour or two and being completely wasted. So we got up grabbed the last few things we needed to grab, got the car running to get warm and then grabbed the kids and headed out. We were picking up my sister Ashley in Utah and then heading from there to Cali. We made it to my sisters place in Orem around 8 in the morning. Grabbed breakfast at burger kind and then got back on the road. Brandon did pretty good with being awake until about 5 that morning. Then I had to help keep him awake with gabbering! :-) I knew he was getting tired when he leaned forward against the steering wheel and his eyes were doing some majorly slow blinks. So after some minty fresh gum and some talking we made it to my sisters. I then drove after breakfast till we hit Cedar City. Ethan was so excited to see Ashley. I think told her that he loved her like at least 20 times. He would just say , "Ashley I have to talk to you.... I love you!" or "Ashely, I love you!" haha he did it probably every 5 minutes for an hour! haha So funny! We only made a couple quick gas breaks and 2 hour long stops to eat. Other than that we just drove and drove. The boys did GREAT as always!! They really are troopers when it comes to road trips! We are super blessed that they are because it would have made the 17 hour long trip even longer. We arrived at my parents house at 5 since we gained back an hour. We then had time to eat some dinner and get some wiggles out. The boys were SO happy to be out of the car and so were the rest of us. 

Anyways, the rest of the day was getting ready to go pick up David my brother from the airport. We were so excited to see David again after his 2 year mission in Bolivia. It was an exciting day! My mom had gotten a girl to watch the house so that we could leave the boys at home and just let them sleep since we were going to be out late. However, as it came time to leave all heck broke loose! Wyatt woke up screaming and having a total melt down and would not calm down. Ethan would not go to sleep and just wanted to sit with the babysitter! After arguing and trying to figure out what to do with our screaming baby and 3 year old who would not go to bed we finally decided to just bring the boys with us. So we threw the kids in the car and took off (Probably 15 minutes later than planned). Everything was going fine except we were all now worried we were going to be late. Plus the boys fell asleep a few minutes after leaving the house and Ethan kept waking up screaming and crying. Which I had no patience for anymore! We were glad that we were not hitting any traffic driving into LA. But then about 2 miles from our exit we hit bumper to bumper traffic. The flight was supposed to get in at 10:23 and time was flying by as we all just sat in our cars hoping for the traffic to move faster! I remember looking out my window and thinking we could probably make it there faster by getting out and running down the off ramp and onto the airport and just running through the flight deck. I knew my mom was going to be freaking out because we were getting so close to not making it. This was one thing we did NOT want to be late for! How awful that would be!! Anyways, we finally made it off the off ramp and then the craziness of trying to find a parking spot. My mom had called me and I could sense the complete frustration in her voice and as she hung up after mentioning that we were going to be late I could here her held back tears! I felt so bad for my mom that this was happening. Especially since it was my kids that had a melt down and caused us to leave later than planned! But, oh well thats kids for you I guess! Anyways, as Brandon and I were driving by the terminal where David was going to be coming in Brandon told me to just get out of the car while he found a parking spot with the boys. So I called my mom and told her that I was getting out and going to the terminal. So my mom and sister met me and we went in to make sure we didnt miss David getting there. We got in and were looking around like crazy people trying to figure out where we were supposed to be. Then as we found where we were going to wait we checked the flight schedules to see what the status was. Luckily we still had a few minutes. My dad parked and then met us. We then didnt know whether David would be coming down the escalator or down the hallway. So I went and asked the guards standing at the hallway entrance. They told me that he should be coming through the hallway and just then a girl walked through and told me that "he" was coming. So I was kind of confused and said "oh cool thanks" headed back to my parents and sister and said that the girl told me he was coming. So then my dad and I went to go see if the flight schedule had said that it had arrived or not but it just said it was on time still. So as my dad and I turned around to walk back to my mom and sister there were a bunch of people coming down the hall. I was looking through the crowd and all of a sudden saw him as his head bobbed in and out of people. I had to take a second look to make sure and as soon as I knew it was him I called out that I saw David. My mom and dad were freaking out asking where. Then my dad saw him and we were all getting excited. My mom had her camera and started walking towards the door to get pictures and I basically yelled at her to give me the camera. Haha I got some pictures of David coming through but they turned out blurry. But, I got pictures of my mom and David hugging! It was priceless!! Then after a long embrace he gave the rest of us hugs and then Brandon showed up with the boys. It was crazy! David was HOME!! We couldnt believe it! After talking and waiting around for his bags we headed home. 

Ahh he is coming!! :-) 

There he is!! :-) 

The reunion on my mom and brother was a very sweet moment!! So much love in the air! My mom sure missed her baby boy and vice versa! :-)

Just like he never left!! :-)

First time meeting Wyatt. 

He couldn't believe how big Ethan had gotten! :-)

Wyatt was so tired!! Poor little guy, he did so well for being so tired!

Officially home! Cant believe how fast those 2 years went by!

The rest of the trip in Cali was full of eating yummy food and hanging out and just having fun! Here are a bunch of pictures of the rest of the trip!

We went to IN N OUT the next day before David got released from being a missionary and it was delicious like always. This was Wyatts "I want more food" face! haha

Then we went and saw "Frozen" one of the days. It was a cute movie! 

Ethan wanted popcorn and while we were all sitting down before the movie started he just got up and started walking down the isle. I asked him where he was going and he told me that he was going to go get popcorn. haha My mom then called him back and I believe gave him money and told him to wait. But, he had his own agenda, so he took off again down the isle and down the stairs. So I tried to secretly follow him and see if he was really going to go do it. By the time we got out into the open he turned around and I was discovered! haha 

He kept walking up to the counter all by himself. I thought he was actually going to do it. 

 But, then I think he got confused at the where he was supposed to go and exactly what he was supposed to do. So he turned around!

And Grandpa came to save the day! :-) 

All of us at the movie! :-) 

We also had to see the lights at Thorough bread! 

Ethan was so excited he fell asleep! ;-) haha 

Poor kiddos just get lack of sleep on vacation!

Wyatt all bundled up to see the lights! 

We also went to see Santa Clause at Bass Pro Shop..

Lets just say Wyatt was not the biggest fan! haha

He makes the cutest sad faces!! 

Ethan didn't mind sitting on Santa's lap. He was pretty shy though and only whispered to Santa about what he wanted for Christmas. haha Wyatt was so tired when we went and saw Santa that he was about to fall asleep when we took him out of the stroller to put him on Santa's lap. So I am guessing that is why he freaked out as much as he did! haha So funny!

The clan with Santa! This is a picture of the picture because I could not get it to scan correctly! oh well it works! :-)

Getting ready to play some cards! So much fun!! 

The kiddos with Grandma and GG. 

While Brandon and I went on a little date my mom sent us this picture! haha She said that he went up to her and told her that he wanted to be wrapped up like a present! haha She did it last year to him and I guess he liked it! haha 

How can you not take a picture of this sweet little face! 

We also got to help finish decorating my parents tree. We got to put on all of our ornaments and Ethan even got to put on the star! 

He was super excited to be able to climb up the latter. 

So much fun having Ethan put up the star with Grandpa! 

Park DAY!! We had to go out to the park and enjoy the beautiful weather and sunshine! :-) 

Auntie Ashley pushing Ethan on the swings!

Grandpa pushing Wyatt in the swings. He looks a little scared! haha

IM FLYING!! haha

It was pretty warm and both Ethan and Wyatt were getting red faces and sweaty! haha

Looks like my dad was dancing haha but he had just thrown a frisby! haha Perfect timing on the picture! :-) 

Brandon and David and my Dad threw the frisby around for a while at the park and then after we went and got tios tacos! It was a great day! 

Making Santas Cookies on Christmas Eve.

Daddy helping Ethan write his letter to Santa! 

Theres his letter to Santa! :-) He wanted Dinosaurs, licorise, a penny, an orange and something else I think but I dont remember what.

Getting ready to send Ethans letter to Santa up the chimney! 

Ethan didnt really know how to react to the letter going up the chimney. I think he was trying to process it when we did it because he didnt really show too much excitement! haha Plus he was super tired! 

That night we also had a fire outside and let Ethan roast a hot dog. Then the rest of us made some dinner with these cast iron things that my parents bought. We put chili and cheese in the middle of bread and cooked it in the fire. They were really good! Then after that we made a pie dessert in them too! Yum!! 

LOVE this picture of my Dad and Ethan!

My Grandma Edwards! :-) 

Brandon working on cooking his dinner! 

The crew enjoying the evening. 

Ashley was not feeling good so she was inside! 

Brandon getting his dinner out! 

The reveal!! YUM!!! 

Everyone else cooking there desserts! :-) 

We are going to need to get some of these some day. Brandon thought we should try pizza topping inside of the bread and see how it turns out. Sounds good to me! :-) 

Then before Ethan went to bed my mom read Ethan the night before Christmas by the fire! What a great way to end the night! :-) 

IT CHRISTMAS MORNING!! 

first picture of my parents and Wyatt Christmas morning. Ethan was still sleeping when everyone else was up! haha

Too warm to have a real fire so we just turned on the TV one! haha

Ethan was really excited about his orange! So funny! 

The usual! What it is in your mouth! haha 

Ethan got the Land Before Time from Santa! Awesome! 

Stockings were always my favorite part of Christmas morning. I think the boys enjoyed it to! :-) 

Then off to the other room for the rest of the presents! 

My Grandpa made these beanies for the boys! Pretty cool! 

Wyatt looks so cute with the beanie on! Although he looks cute all the time! :-) 

Ethan being his goofy self! 

Wyatt using his teeth to help him open the present! haha smart kid! :-) 

It was a good Christmas morning even though we had 3 arguments with Ethan before 9 in the morning. But, things worked out and it was fun! The boys got lots of cars from Grandpa and GG and a bunch of other stuff. David got everyone a bunch of stuff from Bolivia and it was just a fun morning. 

Wyatt thought these singing and dancing stuffed animals were so funny! 

Say "Cheese" :-) 

After presents Brandon wanted to go play around with the bow and arrow that we got for Ethan. I think he had more fun with it than Ethan did. It is pretty fun though and shoot really far! 

Look at that Hottie!! :-) 

I just LOVE Ethan's Faces he makes! He is such an intense kid! haha 

We only lost the arrow a few times! haha Luckily only into the neighbors backyard!

Enjoying hanging out outside in the nice weather again. Brandon decided to let people takes shots at him with the bow and arrow to see how it felt! haha It was actually pretty fun trying to hit him ;-) It was hard to shoot it just right in order to hit him with it and it had almost a nerf end on it. Fun little toy! 

Sadly the trip had to end and we headed home on the 27th of December. On the road again!!

Ethan wanted me to take a picture of him at Subway! haha He had been conditioned to like taking pictures! Oh well, I dont mind its way better than him hating me taking pictures of him! 

Having a break down!! They can only be so good for so long! 

Ethan getting irritated! haha

It was a really fun Christmas Vacation! Way too long of a drive, but we had a lot of fun!! It was great being able to be there for David getting home from his mission and just being able to hangout with everyone!! So much fun! Sad that it was our last one! But, we are excited for all the traditions we can really start as we stay home for Christmas starting next year! I have the best parents and I always miss them when I am away! I love my siblings and I am glad I got to spend time with 2 of them over Christmas! Man what a great Christmas! Spending almost 2 weeks with my amazing Hubby and my 2 wonderful kids as well as my parents and 2 of my siblings! I am blessed!! Love my sweet family!