Sojourn to Utah: December 2020

I was really hoping that the next time we visited Utah life would be a little more back to normal. Hopes dashed. But it's alright because we go to see family, they're the most important and biggest reason we are willing to drive 16 hours with three kids ha.
We were able to leave a week earlier than originally planned since Dan's school is online and he could just study and take his test in Utah. There are some perks of what COVID has done. Hayley was Mary in her school Christmas Nativity (and she did an amazing job!) so I got her from school once the play was over and we ended up leaving around 1:00 PM on Friday the 11th. We did our usual dinner stop in Albuquerque, and arrived in Utah around 4:30 AM on Saturday the 12th. We got in bed, didn't sleep in as long as we should have, and then let the fun begin!

December 12
We finally got to meet tiny Todd! He is just the cutest, wiggliest, little guy. We all love him!

I jokingly told my Mom I wanted chocolates on my pillow while staying at Hotel Harris and I can honestly say I was not surprised to these haha.

Finally got to meet Tiny Todd!

December 13

We went over to Paul and Becky's for breakfast this morning and met Peter and Brittany over there. I love that the girls are able to play with their cousins and they each have a buddy their age. 

Dan let me put his hair in a bun because I wanted to see what his Dad would say (and to disappointment he said nothing), but I actually kind of like it... gasp!

December 14

It snowed and so naturally my little Texans had to go play in it. No snow boots or pants but they weren't out in long enough for that to matter. I can't justify spending money on that when we don't need it in Lubbock ha.

December 16

We had dinner at Paul and Becky's and then Brittany and I went to a HIGH Fitness class together. 

December 18

December 19

I taught HIGH Fitness with Jenna this morning. I love being able to teach with her and see old friends! Matt and Andrea came up from Saratoga Springs so we finally got to meet Boston. He is a darling baby and I love to snuggle him and all his chubby goodness.

I absolutely LOVE being able to teach next to this girl. Jenna is one of my idols.

And we finally got to meet Boston too!

These two had almost matching outfits.

December 20

Peter and Brittany invited us and Paul and Becky over for breakfast this morning. It was super delicious and fun to see their new house in Fruit Heights. 

December 21

Dan and I got to escape for a little bit and go on a motorcycle ride because the weather was nice enough. We went to Lumaze at the Salt Lake Fairgrounds that evening with the Haywards. It was a fun little outing and I am glad it was a warmer night. 

Gotta ride our motorcycle when we're in Utah.

December 22

Got my hair cut and dyed this morning. I love being blonde again. It makes me feel like myself. And I taught another HIGH Fitness class with Jenna this evening. She is the best to let me just jump in on her classes when I come to visit. 

December 23

Did our annual tradition of Fotofly Santa this morning. I love doing these pictures every year! And this evening I taught a HIGH Fitness class with Lauren Taylor. We played soccer together in our teen years and it was fun to catch up with her a little bit and have this commonality.

It was a delight to be able to teach with this girl. Lauren and I played soccer together in our teen years and it has been fun to reconnect through HIGH.

December 24

Christmas Eve HIGH Fitness event this morning. I am truly grateful for the HIGH community in Davis County and that all these instructors are so willing to let me jump in on their classes. It was a blast to see more old friends. Then we did cousin Fotofly Santa, and my Dad was Santa. That was an adventure haha. But we got some cute photos! We spent the evening at Paul and Becky's.

I LOVE this girl so much! I admire Cori and everything she is.

December 25

We opened presents at my parent's this morning and then headed to Paul and Becky's for brunch and more presents. Our families spoiled us and I am so grateful for all the thoughtful gifts we received. My heart could burst. We came back to my parent's around nap time and spent the rest of the day there.

December 27

After we had church this morning, we went out to Shorelines Preserve and I took family photos for Matt and Andrea, and Mike and Nikkole. It was fun and super pretty out there! That evening we built graham cracker creations. 

Everyone's graham cracker creations.

December 28

December 29

This girl blew out of her clothes and got to run around in her diaper while they were being washed. She really enjoyed it.

December 31

I think this was the first year since I was a young teen that I didn't stay up 'til midnight. Ha I think we were in bed by 10:00. Happy new year!

Wearing Uncle Matt's hat.

January 1

Hayley remember her New Year's hat she got from Kelley's last year and wanted another one so we made one. Girl loves to craft. We went and said goodbye to Paul and Becky and Haywards this evening.

Hayley had to a have a New Year's hat like she did last year. I couldn't believe she remembered that.

January 2

Matt and Andrea blessed Boston and Mike and Nikkole blessed Todd this morning. It was kind of them to do it while we were in town. I love these little nephews of mine so much and it breaks my heart that I don't really get to watch them grow up. We hit the road after the festivities were over.

Thee best pajamas ever. I had to gift some to these two because something this amazing has to be shared.

We made it home on January 3rd at about 7:00 AM. We all climbed in bed and thankfully slept for a couple more hours. I felt better about coming back to Lubbock than I have for any of our previous returns. Making progress in this place feeling more like home and actually having things to look forward to here.

Also, once home I went and got tested for COVID because I felt sick in Utah (honestly thought it was a cold until about day four and by then it was too late to really do anything about it) and I was positive. I feel super blessed to have had a mild case. I was only sick for four days. I had a sore throat, minor body aches, a headache, congestion, and eventually lost my smell for a couple days but never my taste. Some of my family members tested positive as well and some negative. I feel terrible that I may have been the reason we got it but who knows where it may have come from. Again, I am grateful everyone has been alright and nothing severe has happened to anyone. It blows my mind that there are people who are dying from this and I wasn't 100% sure I had it.