The Holidays

I knew it had been a while since the last update, but Halloween?? Of course, there are the birthday letters, but as far as for our family, there has been a lot that has happened since the beginning of November. To start off a long string of posts, I will go all the way back to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I told Sam I was going to Albuquerque with or without him for Thanksgiving, but luck would have it he was on an easy rotation (Burn unit? it's hard to keep track what he does each month). He got the okay to leave and headed to Albuquerque for a week. Before we left, I made sure to finish my advent calendar before December. Not perfect, but pretty close to what I envisioned:

Jessica and her family were leaving really soon after we arrived, so we caught them before they left for California that day. We met at McDonald's and enjoyed cousins and a fast food breakfast.

Missing the photographer.

Attempt to get the cousins.

We made it in time to see Mason's baptism. It was a really cold day but we managed to get a family photo (Zach was photoshopped in since he wasn't there, the stinker).

The week before Thanksgiving included seeing some friends, movie watching, visiting family, and probably a visit to the zoo (I don't have pictures of that, so I can't be sure).

Our BFFamily the Boyacks. Impossible to replace them. :'(

Don't remember the movie, but it obviously been out for a while
since we were the only ones in there.

Of course it's been a while since Thanksgiving and there are no pictures, so I don't remember the day itself. I do remember going to play the cello for my Grandpa with Sam (we had our instruments to practice for a musical number that coming Sunday). It was a sweet moment as that would be the last time I would play for him before he passed away in March.

Sam's mom always always has presents ready for any occasion at least one month beforehand, and this year was no different. We celebrated Eli's birthday a month early, and he loved it.

Still loves and carries those cars around.

We had a fun time with Sam's parents along with Jacob and Shauna's family one day. We enjoyed a nice day at the park followed by lunch at Azumas (?)

He got big really fast!

Grandma's always prepared with sippy cups.

Don't know what's happening in this pic but you're welcome.

Lastly, we opened all our Christmas gifts from Sam's parents before we left. Joey got this awesome Paw Patrol boat.

We got home safely and it became full Christmas mode! Or that was the plan...

Baby Number Three!

 After a couple months of trying for baby number three, I found out I was pregnant shortly before getting home and within the week morning sickness kicked in, along with spells of dizziness. I still tried my best to make this a magical time for the family (even if Sam started working nights -insert puking emoji-). San Antonio helped us by having its first real snow in twenty something years!

Joey exclaimed "It's Christmas!"

Of course it was almost gone in the morning.
We tried to build a snowman.

Other activities for Christmas included the Ward's Christmas party, Joey's school's breakfast with Santa,  friends' Christmas White Elephant exchange, lights in Windcrest, and SeaWorld on Christmas itself.

Let's start with the school breakfast. It was a fundraiser, so I paid $25 for a pancake breakfast and a picture with Santa...which we never received. I don't know if the teacher was supposed to get it for us, if we were supposed to pick it up, but I was never told and it never showed.

Luckily the Ward's Christmas party had the exact same Santa show up and I got a picture anyway. I'm not mad, just wondered what happened. Sam couldn't come, but we enjoyed ugly sweaters, a potluck, and fun little Christmas crafts.  Joey and Eli didn't mind Santa, and this was the first year Joey totally got the idea of Santa. He kept asking me "Santa coming on this day?" That's why I made the advent calendar, kid. We implanted the idea that he wanted a play house, because that was what we were going to get him, so that's what he asked Santa for.

Complete with Mrs. Claus!

On Christmas eve we had the boys open their Christmas pajamas after a wonderful Christmas Eve Sacrament meeting. After that we headed to the neighboring town of Windcrest to check out lights. I didn't get pictures, but that neighborhood is lit (literally). They even had horse carriage rides! It was too cold for me to consider, but I recommend seeing this neighborhood in San Antonio if you are around here Christmas time.

The boys opening their Christmas pajamas.

I couldn't find the video of Joey and Eli seeing the house or opening presents, but we decided to head to SeaWorld for the rest of the day. Unlike DisneyLand at Christmas time, SeaWorld wasn't that packed and had some wonderful things going on.

The Orca Show was different from all the other shows we seen in the past, complete with live singers! The Sea Lion Stadium had a different show, and the lights and decorations were really beautiful. The problem was that it was really cold, so we didn't stay too long. That, and my dad flew into town that evening to drive to Albuquerque the next day!

Look closely at the snowflakes and you can see they are orcas.

Joey enjoying the decorations.

 My dad was so kind to fly out because Sam couldn't come down to Albuquerque until January 1st and I wanted to have a little more time than that with family. We both were feeling pretty crappy, so we tried to make it to Clovis on the 26th. If you ever drive between Albuquerque and San Antonio, the drive to Lubbock (almost exactly halfway) is the longest 5 1/2 hours. Somehow, once when you get past Lubbock, there is a second wind. My dad and I still felt we could go farther and we ended up in Albuquerque late that night. My dad said that if I told him we were driving all the way through that day he wouldn't believe me (we were both feeling yuck).

The rest of the trip was not as packed as Thanksgiving. I wasn't feeling good (mainly dizzy) so I took advantage of the extra help and just laid down the majority of the time. But I did do things! We celebrated Christmas with my family and exchanged gifts.

Joey with Max, Heidi's new puppy.

I also went to the zoo with my family, and had to get the classic BioPark chair shot.

We met Jessica at the aquarium another day. Everyone had to go back to school a week earlier than we had to so this trip was a lot more low key. I think we got sick too? Sam and I also went to the theater a few times to watch the Greatest Showman and Star Wars. I decided Christmas and Thanksgiving back to back is not the best way to spread our vacation days. Sorry family!

That, and these poor boys spend a lot of time in the car, haha. But we don't regret it. It is always fun to see family and friends and Joey still talks about Albuquerque and everyone there. Until next year.