Utah!

Okay, lately I have been noticing that people are just writing down their everyday lives on their blogs. Here is ours. For most of you who do not know this, our family has been in Utah, taking a well-deserved vacation to surprise our grandparents (Marilyn and Jerry McGhie) in their little Alpine home before they leave on their mission to Nauvoo. We arrived on December 18, the same day school was released, and we are actually leaving tomorrow (Monday, January 7th) at FOUR IN THE MORNING to get on our seven o' clock morning flight. But we had the opportunities to see snow, family members, friends, and just people we clearly don't know. Here is our entire vacation head to toe:

1st - Surprise trip to Grandma's on December 18th.

2nd - Grandma's ever-so-wonderful cookie decorating party on 19th (one of best memories ever!) and went sledding with Suzanne and family on 22nd. Family Nativity Scene and party at hospitable Aunt Kristen's house.

3rd - Christmas Eve - went to Grandma's Ward Nativity party (the main reason some of us go is to get the bags they pass out with mini-chocolates, peanuts, and taffy.)

4th - Christmas Day - (pictures coming soon) with our family possession, the Wii. Dinner with the McGhie family which served sandwiches, chips, and sides. Perfectly sunny day, but not hot enough to melt out the snow!

5th - Sledding with Aunt Corie's family and the Roses at Soldier Hollow

6th - New Years Eve Parent Party - Mitch, Nicole, Scott, Suzanne, Lisa and Rob went out to dinner New Year's Eve. I baby-sat for Arden, Rachel, Cami, Emma, Ethan, Sam, Ethan, and Max while Tal was home sick for the holidays :(. But never fear! I had them all under control - they were very good! Afterwards, we went to Kristen and Robert's to celebrate the New Years (10:00 for kids, 12:00 for adults - I was considered an adult just like every year!) Funny thing was that we turned on the television just a little too late, right after the ball had dropped and they were interviewing Miley Cyrus. Confused, and angry, some of us were about to phone New York and make them re-drop the ball. Luckily, we caught up when they dropped the ball once more at Western time - which was midnight. I'm pretty sure I was the only not kissing anybody, but like I care! The funniest thing was the Wii Carnival Games - it was a family favorite, and we had to shake-shake-shake until the power reaches the top. Most everyone gave up - even the really talented, strong ones that know their stuff; especially the weaker ones. But we got everyone on film, and EVERYONE had a look of anger, frustration, determination and partial DEATH on their faces. Too funny!

7th - Snow, snow, snow! We had a great time in the snow - but my favorite part was today. A stray retriever from somewhere nearby came up to our house...BEST DOG EVER. We think it was the dog we met over the summer and officially named "Lucky" (in my point of view, that's not even a name!) and later discovered her real name was actually "Miley" (uh....) but she was a great puppy - perfect white coat, wonderful no-bark sense and very playful. It was pretty calm and didn't jump, bark, and led its own life. Anyway - backing into reality - we were trying o figure out what to use as a sled. We rummaged around the garage until we found the perfect big cardboard box - as big as a sled and as perfect as one can get! It was great...for a while. Soon after, my dad finished shoveling the driveway when we came back out, he presented us with the coolest kneeboard. AKA, SledWinner101. Talmage wasn't as cool with the sled as I was, and was too busy making his Civil War wannabe fort, while Ethan had run inside since the big "puppy" came out to play, and I was alone with the dog playing with the kneeboard/sled and in the snow. It eventually blizzared like CRAZY, but you will only see Georgia kids trying to sled in a blizzard. While we were out yelling and playing, all of the neighbors were staring out their windows thinking, "They must have problems!" But this'll be the only time you see us kids in the snow, so be ready!

Since we leave tomorrow, we will hopefully be back in the summer, and if not, we'll move this year for sure.

Love,

Me