Friday, January 2, 2009

Christmas Vacation















We had a great Christmas vacation! It started out with my brother and dad flying out to see the Cowboy's beat up on the Giants (unfortunately the Eagles did the same to us a couple of weeks later). It's always more gratifying, especially for my family members that travel from afar, when they pull out the "W". Since it was the second to last game at Texas Stadium tickets were not cheap. Before leaving Dallas we found out Santa was getting some Reindeer hunting material at Cabelas so we snuck over to get Bella's picture with him.
We headed to Utah for a two week trip. First we went to Salt Lake where we got reacquainted with the freezing cold and big snow storms. Ahhhh, that is exactly what I do NOT miss about living in Salt Lake, especially when we left mid 70's weather in Dallas. However, it was fun to see the temple lights in the snow and it was also a blast to go sledding with Bella. She was obsessed with the snow and had a great time making "Frosty the Snowman". The house we stayed at was loaded with built in fun. We had a steam room shower, sledding hill in the back yard, ATV to ride up and down the drive way and 9000 empty sq feet for Bella to run loose in.

Down in St. George we enjoyed our time with family. Bella loved being with her cousins and went crazy every time she played with them. Sledding was also on the agenda in St. George (ok really it was Cedar City since there was no snow in St. George when we got there). Luckily there were no casualties to report. I got to enjoy the finer things in St. George, like Pasta Factory, Paulas (to Ricks dismay), Charlies shakes and Cafe Rio. Christmas was good to us and Santa was very good to Bella. We had to ship most of her stuff home because it wouldn't fit in the suitcases. Rick spent a significant time studying while in St. George and he took his National Boards right before we left to return home. Bella and I had a lot of bonding time!
It was a great trip and we thank all of our family for the accommodations along the way. As fun as it is to go on these trips it's always nice to get back to a normal schedule too.
A day after being home Rick took off again for New Orleans. He was fortunate enough to see one of the most renowned games in University of Utah football history. It was probably the highlight of his year hands down.

9 comments:

¨*:·.TIFF.·:*¨ said...

Aaron was there too! That is so fun.
are you kidding me?? that kitchen set is too cute. where did you get it?

Stevens Family said...

I'm so sad we didn't get to see you when you came out. But I know how it is, maybe next time. Glad you had a great Christmas. - Jana

Susanne said...

Good grief!! Sounds like a blast!! I haven't enjoyed the freezing temps either, o well. Glad you had a happy holiday with no casualties!!!!

The Dorny Family said...

C.J. was looking over my shoulder and just said, "Ahhh...I didn't even think of them." He was looking for someone to go to New orleans with. Oh well...Rick got to see a very good game, to say the least.

Amy said...

Looks like Bella got totally spoiled, as she should! It was sooo great to see you guys! We always have so much fun together! Hopefully we will get to do that more real soon!

Bodie_Millie_McKenzie said...

Looks like you guys had a great trip. How in the world did you get that kitchen home, and Rick doesn't like Paula's???? That place is so good!

paige said...

I love Paulas!! come on Rick! so you chatted with good old Joel Jesse- how was that? what is he up to?
sounds like you guys had a great christmas and its even better when its a few weeks long!

Erickson Fam said...

Snow.. what's that? Ha, yes it was warm here and that's ok, but a little snow would have been nice.
Sounds like you had a great vacation. I love the kitchen set.. too cute!

Jaime said...

I bet you don't miss that snow do you? Please say no because i can't wait to get rid of ours (already) and it's only begun! The winter is all the more confirmation to me that I am truly a desert child!