Christmas

I'm at my parents' house and am not sure how to upload my pictures to this computer, so I won't even try.  Besides, I've only taken about 10.  That's not very good seeing how we're starting our second week here in Arizona.  

I've been a little self-absorbed...coughing up my lungs, a nose running like mad, and a throat that I just want to rip out completely.  This is my longest sickness in my entire thirty-year life.  Today is finally better.  I almost sound like myself.  I can swallow and not feel it in my ears, so I think that's good news.

In spite of me feeling sorry for myself, we've had a wonderful time.  My entire family was here.  That would be ten kids, ten spouses, eighteen grandkids, and two parents.  If you were counting, that's forty people in my immediate family.  You can only imagine how family pictures went last week.  I'll be shocked if they find even one picture with everyone looking at the camera.  Christmas Eve was like a scene from Home Alone.  Everyone running around like crazy - sounds like screaming even though no one really is.  It was fun.  We just videotape and smile.  Gavin is still so little that we don't have to worry about him running around.  He found the quietest spot to sleep...in my parents' closet.  

Brian and I were quarantined at the beginning of our stay because of our cooties.  We stayed at my grandpa's house--he passed away last month.  It was fun to have a space to ourselves and to look around his house for all of the old things I remember.  And for anyone who can appreciate Arizona things, we've eaten at Matta's twice, Bahama Bucks, and Pei Wei.  Yum.  I've had a fun time shopping and am actually finding many cute things.  I'm doing my own What Not to Wear with myself and really trying to step it up a bit.  Thanks to my sisters for stepping in and helping me try to be hip and fashionable.  I know that's a hard job when you're dealing with pajama girl here.  However, if you can still get me on the show, I'll pull out some doozy teacher outfits for the two weeks of secret footage (repulsive!) and give you a prize of your very own.  

I've never played Rock Band but that was also a highlight of the trip.  Put the kids to bed and watch the adults go...it was hysterical.  I even busted out a deep-throated version of You Oughta Know.  Brian sang American Woman and worried that my family may judge him on his less-than-stellar guitar performance.  He felt so much pressure!  :)  I need to find someone with pictures of that.  (Family - can you help?)  I just love my fam and am grateful to have a minute to visit and catch up.  Being the only one in Utah, sometimes I feel out of the loop but then remember that other people aren't in the loop either (California, Texas, New York).  But still...

Brian had my dad touch up his Lasik in his left eye and will spend the rest of the time laying low.  I'll just take care of the two sweet boys I made sick, hang out with Gavin and visit with my sisters.  

Hope you have all had a fun holiday.  I feel lucky - I know not everyone gets the long break from work that I do.  Happy New Year's!  Maybe this year I'll stay awake until midnight!