Unexpected Guest

I have to say, I almost love taking down and packing up Christmas as much as I love putting it up.  Just like coming home and sleeping in your own bed after a fun vacation.  There's just something so nice about completely normal, monotonous life.  I thrive on an uncluttered house and reliable schedules and LOTS of sleep and super healthy food, so it shouldn't be surprising.

In the midst of packing up I found this little surprise someone (his name might start with an H) left after playing with one of our nativities.  Can you spot the extra friend?

Who knew Yoda was from Bethlehem?

A Christmas and a Birthday

We had another low-key holiday, but sweet none-the-less.  

We had to continue our gingerbread decorating tradition.



Cute little pizza face kisses!



Instead of having a big tree with presents underneath, we had two mini trees on a table with presents in the pacn'play.  Kinda sad, but it saved my sanity this year.

We have very mis-matched, random decorations, but each item reminds us of specific memories and phases in our lives, so I wouldn't have it any other way (until we can afford to buy new stuff in 50 years:)

Awww... a Santa photo without a screaming kid in it...
just wait a few minutes...





On the first day of winter we celebrated by creating our own snow flakes since we don't have our own here.  (I totally missed not having snow!)

 On Christmas Eve, after dinner and reading the Nativity, we opened family presents and played until bedtime.

On Christmas morning the kids opened their presents from Santa, we ate breakfast and rushed to early church. 

Finally, in the afternoon, (after some much needed naps) we celebrated Hyrum's Birthday! 

Hyrum decorated his own cake with an elaborate scene from Star Wars (you'll have to ask him what's going on, 'cuz I can't remember all the names)

We are so lucky to have this boy in our family. 
He watches out for all of us and is so kind-hearted and helpful.

(Bry did the cool decorations)
He loves to make us laugh and gets so sad and frustrated when he slips up and misbehaves.



He is very smart and hard-working (when he's interested in the subject matter)

He has captured the hearts of his teachers at school, church, and many neighbors. 

They constantly compliment him and tell us how sweet he is.

But, best of all he's an amazing big brother and gives love to everyone around him.
We love you Buddy!

Peek-a-Boo!

Never Ending Turkey Time

....And he's still not finished!

Thanksgiving in San Antonio

I have three lovely cousins living in Texas and they were kind enough to invite us down south to spend Thanksgiving with their families.  (Even though the 8 hour car ride--- and no, it's not SUPPOSED to take that long--- wasn't pleasant) it ended up being a crazy fun family vacation!

The day before Turkey Day we headed to Sea World.  It was a great day to go because the crowds were so small and the weather was AMAZING.

The whole park had a Christmas theme with decorations, music, and even the shows were Christmas oriented which was surprising in this anti-religion world we live in (it was definitely more Santa focused).



Hyrum was tall enough to go on almost all the rides and LOVE, LOVE, LOVED them.




Waiting for Shamu...




waiting...




waiting... 
(expecting a 17 month old to wait for ANYTHING is literally asking for a melt down- thank heaven for jelly beans and cookies!) 



Still waiting...
Ivy and Hyrum are at such fun ages for theme parks and shows- everything is so magical!



One of the few rides Ivy could enjoy (due to height requirements).



Feeding the seals- too bad Hyrum refused to touch the slimy fishes.



THANKSGIVING DAY



Two cute little girls!




My cousin gathered marshmallows, candies, and toothpicks so the kids could make their own turkeys while the food was being prepared- so fun!



Finally time to dig in!!!

As you can see, Hyrum had his usual meal of carrots and rolls.

After the DELICIOUS meal we headed to the park- it was such amazing weather the whole time.

Here's the whole group



And here's the cousins

It was such a fun day being with family and catching up with my cousins who I haven't seen in years.  Being with them took a little bit of the sting out of not spending the holiday with my fam.  THANKS LADIES!!!

We decided to spend one more day at Sea World before we headed north.  It was a little bit more crowded and we were all a bit more cranky from fatigue, but it was still another fun day.

dolphins



I love this shot- pure joy



Delia was a little trouper hanging out in the stroller all day.

Catching another ride.

They had this GIGANTIC jungle gym the kids loved, so this picture was actually taken like forty feet in the air!



Catching another ride... daddy style.



penguins

We loved walking through the candy cane forest.

Saying goodbye to Shamu.

I'm so glad we decided to take a quick trip to spend some quality time together.  I can't wait to go back!

Miss Independent

We have reached a new and tricky phase with our cute little toddler.  She INSISTS on doing EVERYTHING by herself- even those tasks she can't do and won't be able to do for months or years.  The biggest problem arises with tasks that are dangerous because let me tell you: this girl can throw a tantrum if she doesn't get her way!

One battle I choose not to participate in centers around mealtime:

Delia refuses to eat unless she has her own utensil.  (Notice the upside-down usage of her tool)
(She's chowing down on our own version of "hot cereal"-
flax meal, applesauce, cinnamon, yams, and raisins)

Of course she isn't really delivering the goods at a fast enough rate, so she must employ a more efficient device.

THERE'S THE GOOD STUFF!

Not exactly the cleanest or most effective way to eat, but a happy and fed baby is the ultimate goal, right?

Grandmas, Grandpas, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles

We enjoyed a great trip to Utah a few weeks ago. Bryan's lovely niece Ashley got married and we thought it would be the perfect time to head up and eat some cake before REAL cold weather set in.

AND so, without further ado, here's a gigantic splattering of photos in no particular order (cuz I just spent WAAAY too long editing them and I'm getting sick of staring at the computer) :

The older Webb cousins: Hyrum, Ella, Jack, and Isaac

My sis Amy is so sweet- even though she's due any time now she's always thinking of everyone besides herself.  Here she is helping me out by feeding Delia. 

DD getting a ride on Grandpa Trump's lawnmower.

Delia and Ella

Uncle Golden and DD

Grandpa and DD (the girl gets lots of snuggles)

When we get-together in my family the girls tend to congregate in the kitchen (the men are probably off watching sports or reading the newspaper) 



Two cute little girly-girls, Annie and Ivy



Ivy, Grandma, DD, and Hyrum.

Ivy and Avery.

Ivy, Brookie, and Hyrum

At the wedding

Juliet, Bry, and DD

I couldn't just pick one of the next photo.  Each has such cute little faces in it:  (they're kind of weirdly squished, I don't know why)



Jack, Isaac, Annie, Ivy, Hyrum, James, Junah, Delia, and Ella



Another fun ride.

Gathering leaves at Grandma Trumps

AND last but not least, it's Uncle Zack building an airplane or jet or something with Hyrum!

It was so wonderful to visit with our dear family again.  We will never forget the kind hearts who shared their homes, vehicles, food, time, babysitting talents, hugs, support, and love.  It was so hard to leave them with new babies coming (NOT MINE), Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, lots of birthdays to celebrate, and so many other seemingly inconsequential milestones and memories that we'll miss out on... I guess it's nice that we came back to 80 degree weather in Texas.  It's hard to feel down with warm weather and sunshine!