Christmas Break

Okay, so its been a while. Christmas was great. We headed to Idaho to see all of our family. Christmas Eve and Christmas morning was spent with the Johnson and Eckersell side. Christmas Eve was held at Grandpa and Grandma Eckersellls house. We had the traditional dinner of sandwiches and soup...so good. Then we had a program where they either shared a story or talent. Grandpa Bruce had us share memories that we had from Christmas's in the past. What an amazing experience. There were tears and there was laughter what else could you ask for at Christmas. After the program we had the nativity with Andria as Mary...she had never participated how she got away with that I will never know, but we finally got her there. Gaby was an angel again, and Garrett was a wiseman...I think. We eventually filed downstairs for Santa; Colby, to come. Everyone gets matching pajamas until they get married. It was great. Garrett and Gaby were in heaven. We eventually said our goodbyes and headed back to Dad and Moms to tuck in for the night and wait for Santa. There is a tradition that exists within the Johnson home that I plan to continue on to the Merrill family.....If you don't believe you will not receive.

Christmas morning was crazy. Garrett and Gaby had all the attention where they were the only grandkids home this year. How exciting for me I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! I can't even sleep in on Christmas morning I am too excited. There were piles of presents and tons of everything. Garrett got a new dinosaur and somehow we missed getting his dinosaur dance on film. Gaby got princess pedicure and that was about all she cared about. One of my favorite gifts that we gave my parents was a ski trip from all the kids. It was great.

Christmas afternoon we attempted to brave the roads and the weather and make our way to the Merrill party. It definately shows how much we love them and how much we wanted to be with them. We had a great Christmas dinner....Prime rib, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole (one of my favorites), bean casserole, and tons more. It was amazing. Teresa is an incredible cook and always has great food around the house. Of course , then we got to the presents. Garrett, Gaby, and I all got new snow boots...YEAH! They were much needed and much appreciated. Collin got a jump start kit for our car. We got tons of fun things. Being with Collins family was great.

The weather cleared up a little so we headed out to the field and rode the snowmachines. The kids loved that was until Grandpa Craig crashed with Gaby. It wasn't really a crash, but she won't get back on the snowmachine with him....not yet at least. She is okay with the four wheeler. They were driving along the ditch and Gaby isn't the best at holding on so when she started to fall Grandpa tried to save her and he machine tipped on the ditch bank. It was so funny. The next day we went back out for a little while and ended up playing in the snow. Uncle Patrick shoveled the snow off the deck and dumped it all down one side and made us a slide. Collin tried it out first to make sure it was safe and then we all went. Whether it was on our tummies or backs it was so much fun. We had to crawl up on a chair to get over the rail but it was worth it. Collin and Garrett started a snowball fight with Lerin, Gaby and I. Wednesday my family left for Oregon for my nephew; Chandlers baptism. I was so sad that we couldn't go, but it just wasn't working out for us. We were able to attend Collin's neice; Ainzley's blessing, which was wonderful. Kurt did a wonderful job and she is a beautiful baby.

Christmas and New Years was wonderful. We are excited for the New Years and the adventures that it will contain. The kids are growing like crazy and I try to enjoy everyday with them. Collin is amazing and everyday he does something to show me how much he loves me. Our parents are wonderful and have helped us through the highs and the lows. Siblings have always been there to step in when we need them too. What would we do without our families in our lives. I am so thankful that we are able to live close enough to see family and be there for important events. Happy New Year to all that read this and we hope that you have a great year ahead too.