Utah trip Dec. 2009

WARNING: This is a long post. Since this blog serves as my way of documenting our lives, I am going into more detail than is probably necessary. Read it if you want or just look at this pictures, either way, you have been warned!

This past December we made our trek out to Utah for both a holiday visit and to introduce Bryce and Ian to the majority of their aunts, uncles and cousins. We really enjoyed our trip though it was a tad more complicated this time. Because Drew could only get part of the time off for our trip, my brother's mother-in-law, Rebecca (confused yet?), agreed to fly from Nashville to SLC with me and the boys after a visit to see her Tennessean sister. The flights went relatively smoothly though they were much different than when it was just me and Caleb. I was pretty stressed about the whole thing but the babies did well. Maybe they will become seasoned travelers like their older brother. Here's to hoping!

Ian up above Bryce.
"We are siamese if you please..."

A couple of years ago, we decided that we really like being home in Nashville for Christmas but still wanted to celebrate with our extended families during the holiday season. Last year, we compromised and made our holiday trip mid-December. It worked out so well that we decided to do it again. While in town, we had some fun get togethers with our families.

With Drew's family, we did the big Christmas Eve/Christmas Day celebration even though our trip was mid December. It fun and really felt like Christmas. We were so thankful to get to spend that time together and participate in those meaningful holiday traditions. Christmas with the Miller family looks a lot different this year than last. Our Miller family has gone from one grandbaby- Caleb- to four grandkids in just one year! It was fun to have so many kids around and we can't wait until next year when those three babies are more mobile to chase after Caleb and Nana Paula and Grampa John's cats!!

From left to right: Brynlee, Ian, Caleb and Bryce

The Fletcher family also had a fun holiday celebration. My parents took the whole family out to lunch which is no small feat! We have grown to a whopping 18 members in our family now. My Grandma Fletcher and Grandma and Grandpa Stevens were able to be there too which made it even more special. Santa Claus made a surprise appearance at the end of lunch and handed out gifts to everyone, including the adults! Thanks Mom and Dad...um, I mean, Santa! After gathering back at my parent's home for dessert, we were able to get a picture of the entire family, great-grandparents included. It was a very nice way to end the afternoon.

Caleb was very specific about what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas this year.

During our visit, Caleb enjoyed lots of chances to play in 'real' snow (which is anything more than one or two inches we see in Nashville). Caleb fell in love with snow. He was constantly asking anyone he could if they would go out in the snow with him. Unfortunately it's not as big of a treat to his cousins who see snow all winter long, and they didn't want to play in it quite as often as Caleb wanted to (which was every second of every day).

Here is Caleb in one of the snowsuits we borrowed...a little snug but man was it stylin'! You can thank me later, Caleb when I blackmail you with this photo.

Sadly, yet again, I wasn't great about taking pictures during our trip but here are a few random pics:

Someone from my mom's work bought these cute Santa outfits for the boys. Sweet!!

Caleb usually ends up getting sick during our winter trips to Utah. Fortunately, it didn't last too long and he didn't pass this one on to Bryce and Ian. Poor thing...

Caleb's older cousins still had school during our visit but he had lots of fun playing with Ellie (Em's little girl) and Brynlee (Chris and Paige's baby girl- not pictured here) during the day.