There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Brad and I were lucky enough to spend two weeks up in Utah visiting with family and friends. We hadn't made a trip home since last Christmas so it was really nice to see everyone, especially during the holidays. We kept pretty busy we were constantly going from one place to the next trying to see everyone and although it was tiring it was well worth it.

Highlights of our trip:

Christmas of course was wonderful. This year it was with Brad's family and we opened presents and had a nice big Christmas breakfast. The rest of the day was pretty much spent playing guitar hero. The day after Christmas we went to my family's annual Christmas Eve party. (it ended up after Christmas because of weather conditions and wanting to make sure everyone could be there). It was so fun to be with family during such a beautiful time of the year.

We went to Body World with Brad's family. Which was amazing! If you have not heard of it it is a exhibit where you learn the anatomy and physiology by viewing real human bodies that have been preserved. It was really fascinating and not in the least bit grotesque. My favorite part was the prenatal room where they showed the different stages of the growing fetus. It was amazing to see how small we all start from and in just 9 short months become a baby.

Brad was able to catch in some much needed skiing. He was able to go one day with his brothers and then he took my brothers up another day. He came home cold and a little sore, but he loved it. While Brad was out skiing I got pampered. I went with my mom and Marilyn to get pedicures and then I was able to get a much needed cut and color.

We got family pictures taken (on both sides).

We went out to lunch with Brad's friends some of whom we hadn't seen in ages! It was also nice to know that two of Brad's friends wives are also expecting so our little boy will have someone to play with! Then of course after lunch the boys played guitar hero. Lets just say there was a lot of guitar hero going on during this trip.

I was given a baby shower by both my mom and my mother-in-law. It was so nice to see aunts, cousins, and friends. I got lots of cute baby stuff and it was so fun coming home and getting his room all ready for his arrival.

Again it was so nice to be able to go home and see family for the holidays, and it will be so good to see them again in just a few short months when the baby arrives!

Bragging

So I have to brag about Brad. He got 98% on his final last week! I'm so proud of him he works so hard for me and the little guy. Its only been two semesters, but he's been able to keep up his 4.0. We also received a Christmas present from his school. They gave him New Orleans red beans and rice. Kindof different, but hey USU never gave us any Christmas presents so at least they are thinking of us.

As for me I entered my third trimester this last week. I'm 2/3 of the way there!

Thanksgiving

On Tuesday we headed back to Mesa to meet Brent.  On Wednesday Kae and I had makeovers done at the Chandler mall and then met up with Brad and Ryan and did some baby shopping. Ryan even got into the shopping and picked out the most adorable little outfit for our little guy I just couldn't resist and had to buy.  

Thanksgiving dinner was a huge feast!  Brad's aunt really out did herself and the weather was so nice we even had dinner outside.  After dinner we had a talent show.  It was really all of Brad's cousins that put on the show, but Emily did start us off with a Christmas song she could play on the piano.

On Friday night we went to the Mesa temple to view the lights.  It was so beautiful and being with family was just the right thing to put me in the holiday spirit.  

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I feel so blessed and have so many things to be thankful for.

Pre-Thanksgiving

The weekend before Thanksgiving Brad's cousin Brian got married in the Mesa temple.  The Mickelson side of the family all came down to support him.  It was so nice to see Brad's aunts, uncles, and his grandparents; but it was especially nice to see my mother in law, Ryan, and Emily. We haven't seen family since Christmas (besides Brent's visit a few months ago) and being with family made us feel a little homesick.  

The wedding ceremony of course was wonderful and at the temple we even ran into a couple from our ward as well as some of friends from Logan who recently moved down to Phoenix to go to dental school.  What a small world!  

That evening we went to the reception which was the fanciest most elaborate reception I have ever been too.  It was gorgeous and the food was amazing.  The reception was at a hotel in Glendale which happened to be the place that the New York Giants where staying at for the football game against the Arizona Cardinals the next day.  We saw lots of football players (although I have no idea who any of them were)  some people at the reception even saw Eli Manning. Anyway, back at the reception they had dancing.  Brian's  new wife comes from a Hispanic heritage and after the reception we all decided that us "white folk" are pretty boring.  Her family was out their having a great time dancing while ever one el

se just sat and talked.  Of course Emily wanted to take part of the action so she made Ryan and cousin Scott take her on the dance floor.                                                                                  

On Sunday after the Mickelson's went back to Utah we took Kae, Ryan and Emily back to Morenci for a few days.  We went on a hike in New Mexico known as the catwalk.  It was a perfect day for a hike and the fall leaves looked beautiful. 

A Strange First

Well this is a first. A couple weeks ago Brad woke me up in the middle of the night wanting to know why I was laughing. It was 2:00 in the morning and I had no idea what he was talking about. Later that night I woke myself up because I was laughing. I must have really funny dreams. I've never done that before and Brad thinks its the funniest thing that I now laugh while I'm sleeping. It must be a pregnancy thing.

*Thanksgiving pictures to come. I've been extremely busy this past week and haven't had the time to download them yet.

Let the Countdown Begin!

100 days and counting until baby Clark arrives!