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?

Gobble, Gobble

How does one describe a day overflowing with great food, family and friends? A day filled with laughter, love and games? Thanksgiving of course!

We had a great time this year. Although we missed all of our extended family, it was nice to be at home with a couple of really good friends. We had a gigantic turkey (25 pounds!) which we'll probably still be eating next year and tons of other food. Leftovers are my favorite meal! And for you Hunsakers out there, I've been eating Zingers like crazy! Even had to bake another batch of rolls.

To keep with the traditions of my family, we went around the table and all said what we're grateful for. Chase said that he's grateful for his dad because he's a lot of fun. Denver spoke of his mission and all that it taught him. And I, well I've become as long-winded as my mother-something I swore that I would never do. I decided that what I'm most thankful for this year is my Divine Role. I love being a wife and mother and all that it entails. I was made to be a mother! But I also know that my divine role encompasses more that just my little family. I am a daughter of God and He loves me! He, in His infinite wisdom, has trusted me to raise these two amazing children and has blessed me with a man strong enough to capture and retain my love and respect. He's even trusted me with a calling working with a new generation of stripling warriors. I am humbled by His trust and so truly grateful that I have the knowledge I need to fulfill my callings in this life. I am blessed. Beyond measure.



So, moving on, I wanted to add a couple of fun pics so here's one of our table! Chase and I had a blast decorating it for our meal. Sorry we forgot to take any pictures of the table after there was food on it-we were so hungry we forgot!


We found giant leaves out in the backyard and decided to use them as coasters. I think that's the most fun we've ever had setting the table.


Denver and Corbin had a photo shoot a while ago and when I came across these pictures I just had to share! I can't believe how cute they are!