Great Wolf Lodge

Aimee totally spoiled us with a trip to Williamsburg's Great Wolf Lodge. It rained every day so it was perfect to be inside at a water park. The kids loved it. Clara stuck to the kiddie area, lazy river, and wave pool. I went down lots of slides, including the "tornado" once. It wasn't until the very end that Dan saw a sign that said pregnant women shouldn't go on any slides. Oh, well. It was fun! I do have to say that next time we will all bring multiple swim suits. It was a cold awakening to put on the wet suit and race back down to the water park after having a short break in our room.

The room we stayed in had a fun log cabin area just for the kids with bunkbeds and their own TV. Heaven I tell you. We even had a fireplace in our room. We packed lots of food and ate out once a day. We did venture out to walk downtown colonial Williamsburg. It rained on us despite our trying to jinx the weather by buying some umbrellas. We went into the European candy shop and bought lots of candy. Aimee and I discovered the red-strawberry and green-apple sour strips were the exact same from Germany.  I was in heaven!

We came home in time to do our own New Years celebrating.

It was a great, family focused week with Aimee. I can't say how many times as I would feel so depressed from feeling like I had the flu constantly I thought of Aimee coming and it gave me something to look forward to.  I miss my family. We love Aimee beyond words! I just wish we lived next door to each other. Maybe one day.

Christmas

After a long month of sickness and a lot of responsibility helping other people I was feeling guilty and frustrated that I couldn't just focus on my kids. After all, it's Christmas and they are growing up so fast! So, when that last Giving Tree gift was delivered, food orders completed,  I was determined that the next week would be about my kids only. (With a slight delay of cousins since Amelia was born.) We had a fun Christmas Eve. The kids and I wrote treasure hunts and I had wrapped most of the presents by dinner time. Dan had to work. We had each of the kids share a musical talent before our nativity reenacting. We wrote a note to Santa, set out cookies and the kids all slept together in one room.

Dan and I watched The Martian while prepping for Christmas Day. We made it to bed by mid-night! How I managed to stay up and not puke is a miracle! The kids were up by 7a.m. They drank their OJ in their new fun cups and then headed down to see if Santa really did come. 

Clara got a princess tent from Santa, some play-doh toys, and the beloved unicorn pinada she asked for!
Abby got a karaoke machine from Santa, a purse from Clara, Romona books, some cute cloths and accessories from us.

Tess got a sewing machine and material from Santa, crafts from Jake, some books, a watch and cloths from us.

Jake got a DS2 from Santa (hand-held nintendo), a basketball from Tess, books, cloths and watch from us. Grandpa Larry got him a drone.

Jacob and Tess bought a little toy/candy for all their siblings. I loved Clara's reaction to her light up candy wand.

Donna and Larry got the girls some crafts and Dan and I much needed soft king sized sheets and new towels. Mom and Dad got all the kids gift cards...they are in heaven! Dan got a gift card to REI and has his new back-pack picked out. I got a gift card for some much needed maternity cloths. Mom sent her personal history for us to read. What a treasure, I had a hard time focusing on the kids throughout the day because I wanted to read through it. We had our really yummy traditional breakfast, it tasted so good to me, and enjoyed relaxing the rest of the day in or PJs.

Aimee did a fun treasure hunt to reveal the surprise to the kids of her big trip for us.
It was weird not to have her with us today. We missed her but are so excited for her visit in just a few days...and the big trip to Great Wolf Lodge!

December

Ward Breakfast with Santa. The two younger kids sat on Santa's lap.  Jake and Tess opted out (insert my sadness!)

Cute kid moment.

Cara called Dan to see if he'd made plans for my birthday. She had received an invitation from the Swedish Embassy to their Santa Lucia celebration on December 14th and wanted to bring me as her plus one. She knew I was pregnant and sick (she was going to come hang out with me over Thanksgiving but ended up at her sisters in Philly) so we tentatively planned on it. December 14th I was up early to make it to my 12 week OBGYN appointment. It was comforting to hear the babies heart beat...a reason for all the sickness! Then I came home and relaxed for a couple hours before getting ready for the party. Dan worked from home that day so I could leave by 4pm. It was a rainy day with traffic but I made it down to Georgetown with a little time to window shop. I've never been to such a swanky party. We checked our coats and purses, past up the wine and grabbed a ginger ale. I enjoyed my ginger ale throughout the night while Cara ate all the yummy food. There was a lot of food! Upstairs they had drinks and fish with crackers. Then down stairs they had 3 sections; hot meats, cheese and breads, and dessert. We got the perfect spot to stand and chat before the Ambassador spoke and the entertainment started. As the festivities started it got really crowded. I quickly began to get hot and queasy. I had to make a b-line for the ladies room. It was so crowded that as I turned to get out a lady gave me that eat dirt and die look. To which I responded, you can either move or I'll vomit on you! I made it to the bathroom and puked. What a memory. I puked at the Swedish Embassy. Once I recovered and the entertainment was over Cara and I took off and I drove her home. I relaxed a few minutes at her apartment and read her letter from Elder Nelson before heading home. I made it through the night. It was fun, despite the nausea. Next time though I want to eat!

Fancy chocolate covered ice cream ball. 

Dessert Table

The very next day Abby came running off the bus so excited to tell me about what she did all day at school. They learned about Santa Lucia, the Swedish Christmas Celebration! She was so excited that I'd just been there. I showed her my videos and she dressed up like the girls. I sent pictures and videos to her teacher to share. Abby was on cloud nine and even learned the song the girls sang.

Cara met us at the DC visitor center for the Bells concert. It was a freezing cold night yet crowded so we didn't hang around for long. It was fun for the kids to see Cara. Clara enjoyed sitting with her. As the show began a little boy sat down next to me that reeked of asian food. It was too much for my super powered nose. Cara traded places with me:)

We did Gingerbread houses with the Bastian's, Kigin's, and Warners. The kids loved it. But next year Melissa and Shauna agreed that adults need to have their own decorating party!

Grandma Barnhurst made a cute advent calendar for us this year. I put an index card in each day for the kids to open with acts of service, scriptures to read, or fun Christmas crafts to do. 

I finished all my busy responsibilities with church on Tuesday the 22nd. The kids last day of school was the 22nd. I was so ready and looking forward to only focusing on my kids! I felt guilty and frustrated at how busy I was helping others and feeling so yucky. Bonnie went into labor with Annabel Amelia, baby #6, on Wednesday afternoon. She barely made it to the hospital and delivered that almost 9lb baby without any medication within minutes of making it to the hospital. Stink'n D.C. traffic! We had cousins over for that afternoon and for a sleepover. James came and got the kids on Christmas Eve.

On to Christmas and AUNT AIMEE!!!