Quick Trip to Cedar

We didn't get to visit my family over the Christmas holiday, so we took a quick trip down this weekend to see them. Greg was able to get Friday off, and we frantically packed Thursday when he went home, threw the Sofi Loaf in the "chokie" (that's what we call her carseat) and away we went. We thought we were being smart to beat the storm that was supposed to come in on Friday; we were sorely mistaken. We survived the traffic of Salt Lake County we thought we were home free until we hit Utah County where the snowflakes were some of the biggest I've ever seen. The lines in the road were completely gone, and the only way we knew we were still on the road was because of the noise strips. It was crazy! We also had random fog patches clear until Nephi, where it seemed to disappear. Long story made short, it took us a lot longer to get to Cedar than we though.

Playing with grandpa on his lunch break.

Sofi still read the books while Grandma took a phone call.

She wasn't too sure about having a bath in the sink ... 

Greg helped take down the Christmas lights. It was a beautiful day!

Sofi wasn't too sure about the snow... or cold cement ... or not being held. It's a toss up.

This is right before Greg almost dropped her in the snow bank.

Sofi love, Love, LOVED Grandma's kitty

She was quite the little traveler on the wood floor. I wish we had some where we lived.

She loved being the center of attention all weekend.

We escaped to the local Pizza Cart restaurant. 

It's a fun little place. They make you your own pizza right there in their pizza oven.

My cousin Alex reported his mission from Korea on Sunday, so it was fun to see him after 2 years. A lot has changed and he got to meet Sofi. He goes to the U so I've already told him we will take him to lunch one day. 

Poor Lacy was trapped in the bathroom while we packed to leave.

On our way home

It's always hard for me to leave; especially after having so much fun. Greg has some long hours ahead of him the next few months, so I'm already planning our next trip down. It's always fun to have a place to call home.

Christmas Festivities

Greg was able to go extreme sledding twice in one week this year, lucky dog. To extreme sled, you jump on a sled and basically hold on for your life as you sled down the mountain where a car is waiting to take you back to the top. I stayed behind to watch Sofi and get some last-minute Christmas preparation done.

I don't think anyone got too hurt, except it is still uncertain whether Greg really gave his nephew a concussion or not ...

I was lucky enough to be able to go extreme sledding on Christmas Eve. Luckily, I don't think I taught any of the little ones any new words this year. Or if I did, hopefully it was in too high of a frequency for them to understand.

Extreme sledding selfie

The real Christmas Eve was spent at the Spjute home this year. We had yummy food and great company. Sofi had an afternoon nap, so we were all ready to rock & roll.

This year, the nativity was read by Greg and Sofi was the cutest little angel you ever did see.

I bet this was the first nativity that included a helicopter.

The full effect. Somehow that wiseman's headdress thing managed to stay on despite Sofia trying to pull it off. Luckily we had cousin Megan who was willing to hold baby Jesus and the Sofia Loaf.

Sofi with grandma Kathy. Nice photobomb Megan :)

The christmas light necklace never gets old. I keep telling Greg we need to go back to Disneyland during Christmas to get one. I don't think I've convinced him ... yet.

Chasing Sam.

All bundled up and ready for Santa to come.

Sofi gave us the best Christmas present of all and decided to sleep in until 8:00 am. It gave us barely enough time to even look at our presents under the tree before going back to the Spjute's for Christmas breakfast. Mark made his "famous" casserole ... 

Sofi's excited to see her buddy Megan

Somehow we managed to match the nephews in our Christmas jammie's this year. The joke was that this is what our family is going to look like in 10 years....

We had a fun, relaxing day and it was so nice to be able to vedge in our own place. It's the first time since we've been married that we haven't been staying with someone. We had absolutely no plans whatsoever, and it was sooooooo nice. We were able to facetime the family though, just to prove we were still on the planet. 

Sofi playing with the trains

Surrounded by the Christmas goods. She didn't know where to look first.

Sofi played hard that day and was so fun to watch. She didn't know what to do with all the news toys. She pretty much went from hardly anything to toy overload.

Sofi and her Daddy had to play a little bit before getting ready for bed.

Our little thing we did this year, which was so fun, was to read a Christmas story together each night before Sofi went to bed. Greg was the narrator and Sofi and I were the lucky participants. I hope this is something we can do every year.

The day after Christmas wasn't so fun. I woke up feeling crappy and Greg later developed the same symptoms that same day. Luckily, Sof was a spring chicken and didn't show any lack of energy whatsoever. While Greg and I crashed in the front room waiting to die, Sof looked down at us like we were slugs - probably wondering what the heck we were doing on the floor while she was everywhere else.

Poor Greggy passed out on the couch

Luckily, it turned out to be pretty much a 24 hr. thing and we were up and kickin' the next day.

What a whirlwind of a holiday we had. It was a busy, fun-filled week with family. I often feel sad that there is all of this build-up to Christmas, and it is all of the sudden over in just a short 24 hours. Oh well, 'tis the season. I'm so grateful for the memories we made of our first little Christmas together, and I can't believe this amazing year is over. 2015 was a good one, and I can hardly wait to see what 2016 has in store.

Non-Christmas Eve

Greg's sister from Washington was in town for the bus ride with her family, so the Spjute's decided to get together and have a Spjute non-Christmas Eve (because it obviously wasn't on Christmas Eve...). There was a lot of good food and laughing, as can be expected when Greg's siblings all get together.

True to tradition, everyone had to go caroling. Being supportive to Greg, we went along. It was freezing!

Sofi goes to her happy place whenever she is cold. She is obviously out of it in this pic.

Grandma and Grandpa had a huge haul in Christmas presents this year. It was so fun to sit around and see what everyone got, and it was fun to open Sofi's huge box for her.

Sofi warmed up enough to uncle Dan for him to do this ... :)

Waiting with cousin Marcus. She hadn't seen him since our trip to Washington

This picture makes me smile :)

Greg's Dad and Kathy took a trip to Jerusalem this summer. They sneakily shipped a bunch of presents back home to give to us for Christmas. Boy was their trip worth it! This is was we were given ...

An olive wood nativity. And I LOVE it!

I had been admiring Kathy's earlier in the month, dreaming of the day I would be able to buy my own beautiful nativity. That dream has come true. Seriously people. 

Sofi was so cute playing with her new toy from grandma and grandpa Spjute! She hasn't quite gotten to the point where she can stand on her own (yet), but she is rapidly approaching that day. 

Dad put this together. We gave him major props.