Rats...

If there is anyone out there that is still checking my blog, I have to say that you're a real trooper. You're probably also slightly neurotic, because, let's be honest, I suck at regular updates. Only someone with a sick fascination for disappointment would still be checking my blog. Of course, one could argue that you've fallen for that behavioral phenomenon of intermittent rewards! You'll never stop now because there's always that slight chance that I might have posted something...maybe even something good...Well I'll at least try and make it worth it.



So, this little video is long. I tried to edit it and make it a little bit shorter but I finally gave up. When you've got the real thing bouncing at your knees begging for attention, perfection just doesn't matter anymore.
We went to the coast a few weeks ago and spent the night there at a hotel on the beach. It was fantastic! I didn't realize how badly I'd needed some time away until we were there and I got to walk on the beach BY MYSELF for a while! I know-I am still a person, not just a wife and mother! Who knew?!?
Anyway, we found a fun place to eat and we had to stop for Chase. Okay, I really wanted to stop too when I saw that the restaurant had turned an actual car into a booth and you sat in it to eat! It was a blast! I think it was called the Bliss Hot Rod Grill or something like that. While we were eating we noticed that they had some old rides. I honestly thought it wasn't going to work but if you watch the video....

Corbin's first carnival ride! Can you tell he was excited? He had a lot of firsts that weekend. First time he'd seen sliding glass doors. First time we let him stand naked at said doors. First time he peed on glass and Dad's shoes...I'm still laughing!

Christmas=Incredible

I've alway loved Christmas. I still believe there is something magical about the entire season. It has nothing to do with what society would have us believe, rather it's all about love. Okay, I'm totally done being sentimental and I just gotta say this Christmas rocked!! No sitting around being rained on missing our extended family-nope, nope. Not this year. Instead, we made a surprise trip to Utah to see everyone. And I'm not kidding when I say surprise. It worked beautifully and it turned into the best Christmas I've ever had. We started by surprising the Hunsaker side of the family. We drove all night on Christmas Eve Eve in order to beat a storm but also to spend that day with my family. As we were driving we were trying to decide if it was really going to be worth it. Don't worry-it was. If you watch the video you'll totally understand. I hadn't realized how much I've missed my family-I couldn't get enough of them.

The little Hunsaker girls, they've grown so much and are sooo beautiful I can't stand it! I miss them so much already. Even now I'm laughing as I remember Andie running through the house showing off her adorable little behind and that little imp Ally singing and wanting to sit by me at dinner. I can't remember the last time I felt so honored! Jeremy and Apryl, you're doing an incredible job. And I'm thrilled I was able to see Apryl pregnant! Jonas you are the cutest little bump ever!

And the Garns! Bess, you are the most incredible mother-just as I knew you would be. It was so fun to watch you chase that little monster around, he truly never stops moving! Although, Jayston, I do have to thank you for letting me hold you for 30 seconds. Stop growing. Gabe, you make me laugh as I picture you playing with all the children. They gravitate to you and I can totally understand why. Not everyone understands the importance of playing video games or just letting kids be themselves. I suppose it's because you're so close to their level...

My dearest Millers, what can I say that means more than rootbeer milk? You two are excellent at crowd control, although I have to warn you, Michael Miller, that I'm planning on teaching your children how to draw with matches just so you'll find half burned ones around the house that the children have been playing with. My Tiffy Jo, I really miss living with you. Didn't realize how much until I saw you. Wanna come to Oregon for a puzzle?

Little Uke. I can see you now and I simply smile. Warm Fuzzies. You're hanging in there and doing an amazing job of it. And Quinton, I'm tearing up now just thinking about how happy you were to open your present from Corbin. That excitement and joy I saw in your little face made me want to burst with happiness. That's Christmas. Kali, I missed you. All the pictures I saw of you made me want to kiss your gorgeous cheeks!

Gama. I think I'll just watch the video, then I don't have to miss her so much. I love you Mom.

Wow. This is getting out of hand. I'm a little wordy today. Let's try this, here are some of my favorite lines from some of the Daltons we surprised:

"You're not supposed to be here."

"Do you know anyone that drives a white car?"

"Who would leave a baby on a porch?"

Hee hee. I laugh every time I read them. Thank you everyone for being so happy to see us-it made our Christmas.

So Christmas day was spent at Mom & Dad Daltons and it was fantastic. Everyone came and had biscuits and gravy and Denver got his Christmas wish-he was able to help his mom make breakfast. And I got to see all those neices and nephews that I love and miss so much. Not that I don't miss their parents too-it's just that the parents aren't growing and changing as quickly as the kids. It was so wonderful to have so many of us together. Thank you, Daltons, for letting me be a part of your family. I love you all so much.

Well I guess that's about it, so I'll just wrap things up with the video I've titled "Gama's Surprise"

HA! I'm kidding. I'm not done yet. Gotcha didn't I Morgan and Charisse? You thought I wasn't going to mention the most amazing part of our venture and Denver's favorite portion of the entire trip-Morgan in the temple and it not being struck with lightning and crashing down around our ears! Seriously, you two are amazing. If I try to write too much I'll be blubbering all over the place so I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet-Morgan you are an amazing example of strength and determination. Denver has looked up to you for his entire life and being in the temple with you completed a dream of his. I've never seen him so pleased. I believe his words were, "Morgan has finally become the man I always knew he was meant to be. Crap, now he'll be a bishop before I am." Well, maybe he didn't say that last sentence but I know he thought it. Charisse, thank you. Your love and acceptance of Morgan has brought out nothing but the best in him. It's amazing to see how happy you've made him. He's a changed, happier man and I think your love has a lot to do with it. Thank you both so very much. We love you.

Now it's time for "Gama's Surprise!"

Unmentionables

Okay, I am NOT going to tell you all the hundreds of excuses I've come up with to not update my blog. I'm not going to mention the extraordinary amount of time that it takes to download and edit video and pictures or how much time we've been spending with our ward missionarries-amazing young men, I must say. I won't go into detail about the exhaustion that caught up with us after our amazing, surprising, stupendous, best-Christmas-ever, whirlwind of a trip. I won't talk about the piles of laundry/dishes/end-of-the-year diddles that just can't wait any longer. The hungry baby, grocery shopping and bill-paying won't be brought up. I will say that this past Christmas was one of the best I've ever had. And I'll have to write more about that later for one of those things that I've decided not to mention (demanding husband) is calling. Don't worry, I'll run out of excuses at some point.

Destruction of a grouse

I put this on here for one reason only. My stinky husband. If you are a normal person, you will not watch this video. You will pass it by and pretend that it does not exist. If, however, you are my brother-in-law, Morgan, you will be thrilled to see that I have, indeed, caved in and posted this on the blog. Please note that to me, this act is the equivalent of placing a deer head on my wall. It will not last. It will be removed. And my husband owes me for life. Yes, I'll be getting whatever I want for Christmas. Any suggestions?