The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

Christmas was so much fun this year! Jared and I drove to the Sacramento area of California to visit Jared's family. This trip was expecially exciting because Jared's siblings were all together for the first time since the summer of 2004! We arrived before most of the gang on December 22nd. Once again we drove all through the night and got to our destination in the late morning. We hung out with Janae, Jenna, Jacob, Jared's mom Jean and step dad Ed and we all went to see National Treasure 2 (which was pretty good by the way but not as good as the original). Then we went to the dollar store and bought some toys to play with. Jared and I had a lot of fun playing games and having a blast. I love Jared's family!! They are so fun!

On Sunday we went to church and then spent the rest of the day hanging out and enjoying one another.



Jamin and April arrived on Christmas Eve day from Texas. They have a little boy, Devin and he is a year old. Jared and I have never gotten a chance to meet Devin yet. He is so CUTE!!! Seeing Jamin and April with their little one helped me remember how excited I am to be a mother. I haven't seen Jamin and April since our wedding and reception so I don't really know them that well. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know them better (and for the record, they are awesome!). The guys brought out a motorcycle and Jared took me for a ride. It was fun but my eyes watered like crazy in the cold wind. We also played some games. For dinner we all went to a Chinese buffet for some great food. Christmas Eve night everyone got all cozy and we read the Christmas Story and opened a few presents. Jared's family has a pajama gift tradition where every Christmas Eve they all get a pair of PJ's. The cutest part about the PJ's was that all the couples PJ's matched. Even little Devin got a pair.



The next morning we had to wait for Jared's Mom and Ed to come to the house before we could open presents. Then the frenzy of opening presents began. Jared was so sweet in his gifts that he bought for me. I also got some really cute black shoes from Janae that I love. It was a very fun unwrapping party. Then after all the presents were opened we spent some time enjoying our nephew. I loved it!! Then it was time to get to the airport. I had to be at work the day after Christmas (which totally stunk!!) and we needed to pick up Jessica from the airport, the last sibling to arrive to make the reunion complete. Jacob, Jenna, and Janae got in our car and everyone else got in Jean's car and we drove to Oakland. Jessica had already landed by the time we arrived at the airport. She had her sweet adorable daughter Austyn with her too. Austyn is two years old and is talking so well. She is a doll. Another huge excitement at the airport was that Jacob had been waiting all week to open his mission call. He wanted to wait until everyone was together. So now that Jessica was with us he could finally open it. Jacob read the call...and he is going to Tacoma, Washing!! We are all so excited for him. He reports to the MTC in March. After the call was opened we all gave hugs and congratulated Jacob on his call. Then everyone waited around for another hour so that I wouldn't have to be in the airport alone on Christmas Day. And then it was time to say goodbye. This was the hardest part of the vacation. Coming home to an empty house on Christmas night was...well I will just say I was sad and keep it at that. I worked the rest of the week while Jared had fun with the family!

After I left all the fun began...I see how it is. Everyone went bowling, went to a childrens museum, played games, and so on while I spent the rest of the holiday week answering customer service calls and processing paperwork. Can I just say I was a little bumbed!!! Next year I am taking Christmas break off!! For all I care I can get fired...I am spending Christmas with my family!!!

Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! We love you all!