Christmastime

Rachel's favorite place in Utah is the "jumping park". We visited both Jump On It (free for kids under 2 and is mostly trampolines) and Kangaroo Zoo (blowup toys - about $5). She absolutely loved it and I got worn out chasing her!

Here we are at party #2 on Christmas Eve. Since our parents/grandparents/siblings all live in the same town, we usually split the time and go as many places as we can. Both families are understanding and flexible which helps, but people always ask me how we like everyone being in the same place and "splitting the time" - I really do love it! I don't feel like I have to miss out on anything and we always get to see everyone when we go home.

Rachel had so many treats this trip - really, she did. I just had to document it. All she had to do is say "Treat?" in her sweet voice and whatever relative was closest would oblige her.

I think I already mentioned it before, but all Rachel wanted for Christmas was "Elmo" and she got one! (Thanks, mom!) It's the Elmo Live! and he's pretty funny and Rachel is enthralled with him too.

And what would the holiday be without a Christmas dress from Nana?! She looked so pretty!

We had so much fun with everyone and it was so fun to get Rachel reacquainted with her great-grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles and to spend lots of time with Grandma/Grandpy & Nana/Papa. Love you all!

Here we are going back home to Arizona (flight #16 for Rachie) and this time she definitely understood we were in an airplane and that we were flying - pretty fun! When traveling by myself, the flights are never my concern - it's the getting on and off the plane that's always the big ordeal, but we always manage and make friends with strangers who are willing to help a little.

Other Christmas memories I don't want to forget:

- Parker family talent show ... hiliarous! Brandon re-wrote the words "Mary, did you know?" and changed it to "Cindy, did you know?" and sang to Chad and her all about the not-so-"joys" of parenthood [Brandon - you should post the lyrics!]; mom and dad sang "Baby, it's cold outside" complete with costumes and choreographed dance moves; Chad & Cindy lip-synched & danced to Sandy Patti's "The Gift Goes On" (a classic from my childhood! Does anyone love this song as much as our family?); Cade played the piano; Rachel did the hot dog dance.

- We got babysitters and went to dinner with the Worthen's - we miss them terribly!

- My mother-in-law started a new tradition and had all the grandkids sleepover while us siblings went out to dinner and then had the night to ourselves - it was so fun and I just got some pics from them, so I'll do a separate post.

- I thought it was so funny how much Rachel loved my 15 year old brother, Cade, who is your typical teenage boy and not animated with her at all - but she just loves him. Everytime he'd walk in the room, she'd say "Hi Cade". She also aced almost every family member's names without help - go Rach! She also loves my mom's dog, Zoe, who must love her too because Rachel shared almost every meal with him (reminder to self - do not ever get a dog while you have a child in a high chair, who will throw everything down the dog).

- Are you still reading? Wow, I'm getting a bit carried away!

- We love to go see the light show up on the hill - the one where about a million lights are synchronized to music - it's so festive and and I'm so glad they put it on each year.

- Went to a small Christmas production at the rest home my grandfather stayed at up until he passed away this last July. My grandmother sang with the tenants who live there and it was so sweet to see them all participate in whatever way they could - some sang loud (even if it was out of tune) and other chimed their bells. (Clarification - my grandmother has a fabulous singing voice and was a huge support to the group) It was so sweet to feel of their Christmas Spirit.