We're Back...

Our long awaited Utah trip has come to an end. It was quite an eventful month but we had such a great time, and like usual it was so much fun to be with family especially during the holidays. We arrived in Utah just in time for all the festivities. On the night of the 23rd we had my families traditional Christmas party. Matt and Hollie were in charge of it this year and they rented out this awesome place were we all enjoyed a great program (as usual) yummy food, and fun games. It really couldn't have been better so thanks you guys, you sure know how to put on a party. Then on Christmas Eve we hung out at my parents, did a little last minute shopping, and then headed over to the Wades for another fun evening filled with good food and family! Christmas like usual was great, it was so much fun to watch the kids get so excited over all the little things but most of all it was so nice to be home with family and to truly celebrate the reason for the season. And yes, we did get our "white" Christmas...the kids loved the snow and I can't believe I don't have a picture of them in it.


The Sunday after Christmas we were able to bless little Bryton in my parents ward. It was so nice to have both of our families there to celebrate this special day with us. I was a bit nervous how Bryton would be during the blessing as he was almost four months old but he did awesome, he didn't even make a sound. The spirit was so strong and the blessing could not have been nicer. It is so great to have a husband that is worthy to hold and honor the Priesthood. After the big event we had our families up to my parents for a little something to eat and to do some more celebrating. Do to our busy schedule this trip home we didn't get to see to many of our friends but I was able to meet up with Sarah one of my best friends who is living in Nebraska (which I haven't seen for way to long...almost four years!)It was great to visit with her and her husband and parents.


Our sick baby...the day after his traumatic hospital experience.

This is just one of the times he spit up...I didn't take a camera to the hospital. I guess some things are better not remembered.

After all the partying we were a bit warn out I guess. We put Ryan on a plane Monday night as he had to start back to work on Tuesday and me and the kids started out with what was going to be weeks of illnesses! It started with colds and then the stomach flu and of course more colds! Wow...without fail we all end up sick in Utah! That kind of put a damper on things as we weren't able to get out and see as many people as we would have liked. Our adventures with illness even took us as far as celebrating New Year's at Primary Children's Hospital! That's right, nothing like starting the new year out with a bang. On the 1st Bryton woke up his happy usual self but that was short lived and followed by repeated bouts of throwing up blood. After all day in the ER and numerous blood draws, IV's, a nasal gastric tube, stomach lavage...etc. we were able to stop the bleeding and head home after consulting with a pediatric gastroenterologist. After a scary and heart wrenching day we still didn't have answers but were grateful that the symptoms had subsided. We are following up with a GI doctor back home in Texas but for now they are attributing the blood to a traumatized esophagus due to all the reflux he has had. Thanks to a great team of doctors and some changes with his medicine we are ok for now. (Thanks Mom and Dad for being there all day with me and to Cacey for watching the kids and Matt and Dad for the nice blessing.)


As our weeks continued at home we were excited to be there when Nathan my nephew received his mission call to L.A. California! We couldn't be more proud of him and the decisions he has made in his life to be where he is. He is going to be such an awesome missionary and the people of California will be forever blessed because of his willingness to share the glorious message of the gospel with them. Wait to go Nate...we love ya!


More exciting news...while we were visiting, Mike and Kara had their baby boy. Austin Michael made his debut on January 8th and we couldn't be more excited to welcome this cute little guy into our family. It will be so much fun for Bryton and him to grow up together as they are only four months apart. So congrats...Mike, Kara and girls!

Wow, I think that about sums up our trip. It was certainly eventful and despite a few rough times it couldn't have been better. We sure enjoyed the trips out to eat, shopping, babysitting, the treats, helping with the kids,and most of all just hanging out. Thanks everyone for making the trek to Bountiful to visit us we will treasure those memories always. Thanks also to all of you who sacrificed so much...(Mom's and Dad's) so that we could be home with you this holiday season. We sure love and miss you all more than you could ever know. We feel bad we didn't get a chance to see everyone we would have liked to, but it gets hard to shuffle things with three sick kids and no car most days...so sorry. :( We are already looking forward to making the trip again...we just hope it's sooner than later!

Oh...and the kids for the most part did awesome on the plane, they were quite the little troopers! But we were also so fortunate to have Ryan's Mom come back with us to help. It was so appreciated and really did make the adjustment easier. Thanks so much for all you ALL do for us! Happy New Year....Oh and one more thing..to add to all the drama I lost my camera while in Utah. As you can imagine I was devastated because it had all these pictures on it! I thought I had lost all of the pictures from Christmas, the parties, the blessing, etc...I was sick. We looked every where called stores I had been to, searched parking lots, it was no where. And then a few days later my awesome Dad found it...although he took a trip getting it :) What a relief! Thanks Dad!!

Here is a little taste of our time home...