Christmas 2012

Christmas this year was one of the best we have had. It was really special for a few reasons. We originally planned on staying here and doing our first Christmas with just us. We planned that because Wade had just gotten home from his 4 mo training and we didn't think he would have time off too. Also the expense. It's expensive now to travel with a family of 4.

4 days before Christmas we booked flights to head to Reno for Christmas. My grandma who is young, 67, super youthful, and wonderful was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. It's a death sentence. No hope, no cure and is 100% fatal within 1-3 years. It's a disease that damages every muscle and is so rapid. Your voice goes, eating goes, movement goes, breathing eventually goes. People with this AWFUL disease end up as vegetables but their mind is still 100%. How horrible. I honestly cannot think of one single thing worse. I would rather have cancer. Anyway, a dear dear friend knew the importance of this Christmas for my family and offered to help us get to Reno to spend Christmas with my Grandmama. This is probably her last healthy(and maybe last period) Christmas. I cry just typing about this. It's so so so awful. Can you even imagine getting a diagnosis like that.

So this Christmas was incredibly special.

We surprised my entire family, mom and dad included. We showed up at their door and it was amazing! Thank you to our sweet angel who gave us the best gift ever.

Christmas Eve we enjoyed family time then went to eat some pizza and shopped for the last few gifts. And this is a belly shot at 7.5 months. 31 weeks. Craziness!

We also went to dinner and then went and looked at lights.

Winter and her family also surprised the family by showing up. They planned to be in UT for Christmas. My mom cried with excitement :)

How cute are these little Heims grandkids!

After lights we busted out a Gangham style dance party. My kids know the song and dance. I don't know if I should be proud of that, but it's pretty funny!

Then we did the traditional pj present and sibling gifts. My siblings always exchange gifts on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Jammies!

Christmas morning was great. I didn't take any opening present pictures, but it was all so fun. The kids loved all their gifts. Santa and mom and dad did well!

 My mom and Grandmama. Good, youthful genes I have huh? My Grandmama was so surprised we were all there to spend Christmas with her. It was the best!

We had a yummy dinner. My dad cooked a turkey via inferred. It's always the best. We were in AL eating seafood on Turkey day, so I was happy to eat my dad's turkey. The skin is always the best. All the women in my family hover over the whole turkey once it comes out of the big inferred pan. We are like vultures ripping the skin off. YUM!

I love this picture! Weston loves Grandmama. It snowed Christmas night so Weston and Brooklyn found winter clothes and went in the back yard and did who knows what.

This is my whole beautiful family. My aunt and her husband usually are there but my poor aunt was puking on Christmas. It was weird without her. But, I am so so happy we got this picture. It was such a great Christmas.

4 generation picture.

All the girls in my family. I love being with my family. It's really crazy and dramatic at times, but I love being with my family.

This picture is just darling. My brother is seriously such a stud. He impresses me beyond expectations. He is so cool and smart and responsible and fun and good looking :) And the way he is with my kids makes me excited to see him as a dad one day.

And a blurry picture of all the guys. Dang flash.

 

So that was our Christmas. It was beautiful and amazing and every thing it should be.

We stayed in Reno until Friday and then headed back to sunny AZ. Now we are just setting up our house. It's so fun to move somewhere new. Especially when you go from a 2 bedroom apt to a 4 bedroom house with tons and tons of space :)

Right now Wade and I are waiting for midnight and the ball to drop! I barely hang on every year. A few minutes ago I told Wade I couldn't stay up any longer and he said I have no choice but to stay up. Same convo every year! I am such a grandma.

We did just watch the movie, New Years Eve. So fitting huh? And we have eaten yummy food and vegged on the couch together.