This Christmas we went to the sunny state of California! Where we were entertained by my parents, siblings, and neices and nephew. Everyone could make it except for the Martinson clan who stayed in North Carolina for Christmas. We started our Christmas celebrations on Monday the 22nd during our family home evening. Since we knew that we would be traveling by Bird, we did not want to lug our presents to California and back. So we opened them before we left. The Arringtons gave us a game called Ingenious and a box of fruit leather. I gave Shonda three Veggie Tales movies and Three Josh Turner CD's. Shonda gave me Neo's overshoes, a classic game controller for the Wii, and a how-to-play the piano book. Santa sent a gift to us too, but it came after the Holidays. More to come later on that subject.
The drive down to Salt Lake was a blessing we could not have had any other day. We had a few feet of snow fall over the weekend before Christmas and continued on Monday. Tuesday was a clear and sunny day. We hit very little snow on the way down and we were praising God all the day long. Our flight was uneventful except for the occasional squaking of our Bird. My dad and older brother, Donnie picked Shonda and I up from the Airport. As we drove home, we laughed an incredible amount. I dont think there was a moment wasted with no laughing.
We spent Christmas Eve at Carrie's house playing games and watching Jackson. Most of the family wanted to see the movie, Desperaux but Shonda and I decided against it. Instead we had the opportunity to watch my nephew Jackson and played board games with Meggan. It was loads of fun. After everyone returned from the movie we ate and designed Christmas cookies for Santa. I created an evil Mickey with the body of a snowman. It was awesome! We traveled back to the Grandparents crib and played Harry Potter scene it. Which I did poorly at, because lets face it: who remembers all that stuff anyway?
The best part of our trip down was Christmas morning. We did all the usual things, open stockings, gifts, and eat alot of food. But there were special moments that I want to focus upon that created truly wonderful memories.
The first story begins right after we wake up and get ready to open stockings. In my family it is tradition that we either go oldest to youngest or in this case, youngest to oldest. After all the nieces and nephews lined up Bobby came next and then me. Shonda, who in age would come after all my siblings and their spouses but before my parents was staying behind to be true to tradition(Christie and her family was not present). My mom decided at that moment, that spouses should just stick together. So Shonda got to come to the front with me.
The Second would be when Shonda dumped out her stocking. Our niece, Mandy was so amazed that Santa had given us nuts and asked if she could have one. Of course we said yes and then she aksed "how do I get this open?" (It was a walnut). The next thing that happened could not have been better planned. Jake said "here, I'll open it for you." He then proceeded to place the nut on the carpet and with incredible skill cracked the nut open by smashing it with his fist. Mandy was much excited and I was simply stunned.
Lastly, opening presents with the kids was such a blast. We truly had a wonderful time watching them open their gifts and get so excited for my little ponies and a firetruck and nerf guns galore! *honestly, the married kids had a lot more fun with the nerf guns than the little ones did* After all the presents, the much awaited Christmas dinner came upon us and we enjoyed. Christmas is after all about sharing and eating. And then perhaps... A little more eating!
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