1.10.2010

merry everything ...

Photobucket
I have entitled my post "Merry Everything" because that is just how our trip home over the
Christmas holiday was. We had such a great time in Utah and Idaho and thankfully captured
most everything on film. So if you dare, here is Christmas Vacation 2009.

(This will be long - Don't say I didn't warn you.
But if you stick to it, there may be a little SURPRISE at the end!)
Photobucket
Before leaving KC, we tried to get a family picture. Let's just say that this picture made us 20
minutes late for Stake Conference and made us park about 2 blocks away from the stake center.
We had to trudge through the snow and to say the least, Nate wasn't too pleased with me!
Photobucket
In Kansas City, we also stopped by the library a few times to have Santa Claus read stories and
sing to us. Hayden LOVED Santa this year which made it fun. There are quite a few Santa
pictures in this post, but it was one of the highlights of our Christmas season.
Photobucket
Photobucket
We also want to this amazing miniature train exhibit at Union Station before Christmas. There
were honestly 50+ trains all linked together with their tracks going every which way. It was
darling and prompted Hayden to want a "choo choo from Santa." Sadly, my camera died after
this one picture, so you'll just have to take my word that it was cool!
Photobucket
Upon arriving in Utah, we were met with a slew of parties. We honestly had a party every night
during the first week of our vacation. What a way to be welcomed home! This picture of Elsie,
Ellie and Hayden was at the huge Creer Family Party. They hunkered down between all of the
boxes that my Grandma Floss brought and made a fort. Then here is Hayden with the "real"
Santa Claus. He is the Santa that I grew up with and is the most amazing Santa ever. He
knows all of our names and had Hayden completely enamored. He kept getting back in line
to have another turn on his lap.
Photobucket
Photobucket
One of my favorite moments from our trip was when my whole family went up to Salt Lake. We
ate at Litza's Pizza and then went to This is the Place State Park for their Christmas celebration.
They had a little train that went around to all of the different pioneer houses and we got to see
Father Christmas, real reindeer, and a live nativity. It was such a great night and helped Hayden
understand more about Baby Jesus and the nativity story that we had been trying so hard to
help him understand.
Photobucket
Lounging one morning on Grandma's bed after bath time.
Photobucket
Photobucket
One of the best surprises of the trip was a beautiful picture of the Salt Lake Temple at that my
parents gave to us. I have been wanting a picture of the temple for so long, and this one goes
beyond what I had ever dreamed of! Too bad it will have to sit at their house for the next year
until we get back a little closer!
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
After our fun in Utah, we went to Rigby to stay with Nate's family for Christmas. We were
greeted the night we got there with another family party and Santa came too!
Photobucket
Photobucket
Christmas morning brought Hayden's beloved "Choo Choo Train" and he hasn't wanted to
stop playing with it since. I just love to watch him play with it and see his little imagination
come out.
Photobucket
Photobucket
We also snapped these two family pictures while we were there, one of the whole
George family and one of all the grandkids.
Photobucket
Photobucket
The one thing that Nate's sister Sadie wanted to do with the kids was take them for ice cream,
so one night off we went to Dairy Queen. The kids had a ball. They were all covered in ice
cream from head to toe! Hayden absolutely loved it.
Photobucket
Photobucket
Here he is singing "If you're happy and you know it shout Hooray!"
I think he's got it down, don't you!
Photobucket
For family night, we went bowling and Hayden hasn't stopped talking about it since.
Like father, like son!
Photobucket
Photobucket
The morning of Nate's birthday, December 31st, we woke up to a complete Winter Wonderland.
So we all bundled up the kids and took them out sledding. Hayden thought it was so much fun,
but had a hard time staying on his feet in all of his snow clothes. He honestly looked like
Ralphy's little brother on "A Christmas Story" where he can't put his arms down because he is
so bundled up. He particularly loved riding the 4 wheeler, or "tractor" as he called it.
Photobucket
This picture was snapped at 12 o'clock midnight. Welcome to 2010! We couldn't believe it, but
Hayden stayed up all night and had the best time playing with my cousin Preston's kids. Here
they are playing Ring Around the Rosie at midnight. Needless to say, he crashed the second we
got in the car, but I was pretty proud of my little trooper!
Photobucket
After our fun in Idaho, we spend the last few days back in Utah before we had to fly out.
Here are all of the Stewart cousins in their Sunday clothes from Grandma. We honestly took
about 30 pictures of this group and this was the best one!
Photobucket
Photobucket
Here is the crew for Ellie's 4th birthday. Hayden was right in the middle of the
action and wanted to blow out that candle for all he was worth.
Photobucket
Well, if you successfully made it through that crazy long post, I commend you! I said at the first
that if you made it through, there would be a surprise at the end, so here you go...
Photobucket
We're having a baby!
Most of you already know, but if this is news to you, Baby Girl George
is joining our family early May 2010! Oh the fun!!!

7 comments:

elizabeth said...

Woohoo! Congrats George family. It looked like Hayden saw his fair share of Santa Clauses this year.

Amanda said...

Looks like your trip was busy and fun. I LOVE your temple picture. It's gorgeous. And of course, CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so excited for you! Girls are fun!

tara said...

Yay for little girls! I'm so excited..this just means you have to stay another year or so ;)

Brad.Lindsey.Lexi.Rowen said...

Congratulations! I am so thrilled for you! Girls are seriously so dang much fun! I know she will be just beautiful..how could she not?! FUN, FUN!

Curtis & Nichole said...

Merry everything to you guys! AND a big congrats on the exciting news. She will be cutest most stylish little bundle of joy ever:) AKA thanks to her super great mom!

Hayden is so big:) I still see a lot of Nathan in him. Once again Hayden and Kumorah have another thing in common (trains:) ).....to bad we don't live a little bit closer:) I think they would have a ton of fun together

love ya guys!

Curtis & Nichole said...

Merry everything to you guys! AND a big congrats on the exciting news. She will be cutest most stylish little bundle of joy ever:) AKA thanks to her super great mom!

Hayden is so big:) I still see a lot of Nathan in him. Once again Hayden and Kumorah have another thing in common (trains:) ).....to bad we don't live a little bit closer:) I think they would have a ton of fun together

love ya guys!

Jen R. said...

Hey it's jen from the Bachelor party. Found your blog from Amy's I LOVE the temple picture. I've been looking for my whole life of a really good San Diego temple pic (where I'm from and where we got married) but I still haven't found my perfect one yet. Someday! PS. I still have to come see all your crafts!