christmas 2015

We had a pretty exciting Christmas in 2016, which means this post is going to have A LOT of pictures. Who am I kidding? Our Christmas posts alway do!

I think it's the first time, since our early college days with young babies, we've been away from home for Christmas. Back then, heading home to family for the holidays was a long-anticipated treasure. It meant decorations, and baked Christmas goodies, and late nights playing games, and lots of friendly company. Of course, as we finished college, bought our own homes, and our family has quickly grown (in number and in age), we have most of these things right where we are. Now, the idea of leaving home for the holidays, in large part, means figuring out how to get Christmas presents for 7+ people packed into an already full car:/ and then navigate the snowy highways. 

More and more family has moved away, though, so this year we decided to be brave and take the road trip through Oregon and Idaho and then on to Utah to be with almost all of Kevin's family. And, while I wouldn't want to do it every year, it really turned out to be a great trip!!

Before we left we were able to enjoy our church group's Christmas party, where some of our kiddos and their cousins were able to participate in a nativity program.

And Joseph got to deliver his Christmas list to Santa!

And we were also able to enjoy some present opening with G-ma Loo before heading out--in this case, homemade superhero placemats and a Batman sweatshirt for Mr. J.

Then we figured out that whole packing-a-ton-of-presents-in-the-car thing, and headed out!

Our first stop was to visit my dad and his wife, and also my brother and his family in Eastern, OR. It was a brief but great visit. We attended a small family Christmas party with a bunch of my amazing aunts and uncles (and a few cousins), sledded down a fantastic hill on my dad/step-mom's beautiful property, enjoyed my step-mom's delicious baking, and also spent a day sledding from the back of 4-wheelers on my brothers property. 

The day at his house was wet and FREEZING cold. My kids still had an amazing time because of what a fun, new experience it was, but I think they questioned whether one of their limbs might freeze completely off. He and his family were SOO kind to host us despite the nasty weather. 

Then, after a couple of nights (and actually a quick flight back and forth to Seattle for Kevin to attend an unexpected but important meeting), we were on our way to our final destination.

We made it into Utah (Lehi specifically) just in time to see Star Wars: Force Awakens with the family--an event we had been looking forward to for some time!! Like the shirts?? Yeah, we're cool like that;). 

Group shot:).

Even the newest addition to the family (a big part of the reason for our road trip decision!!), little Baby Abbie, got to attend with us:-). It appears that you can't actually see her in this picture;), but that gorgeous girl by Kevin is her amazing mother--and Kevin's fabulous youngest sister.

And that right there was just the beginning of our fun. There's no denying that Kevin's family loves to have fun and are downright good at it! There really is never a dull moment when we're together. 

From sleeping in grandma Cathy's cool basement;) ...

To hanging out with super cool cousins ...

We had a really great time!!

Visiting Heidi and Darren (and of course Abbie and Riggins) in their new house was a big plus!!

And attending a little Oud concert put on by cousin Jill's really amazing fiancee, was also a definite highlight (I really feel bad that Jill is not in this picture:/). Ever heard of an Oud? I hadn't, but it was really cool. Even cooler when played by Ramy Adly (this guy right here) who happens to be a renowned musician, composer, etc. (http://www.ramyadly.com).

Since it was one of the kids' favorite outings from our last Utah trip, we again spent an afternoon jumping around at Lowe's Extreme Air Sports in Provo (http://www.lowesairsports.com).

Always a fun, interactive activity!

There's one thing in particular we also love to do when we visit Utah ... EAT! Seriously, we eat way too much while we're there. For some reason (at least in the Utah Valley area) there are so many new food concepts always popping up. And since we're heading into the food industry a bit ourselves, we feel obligated to try them all out;). Pretty awesome excuse, huh?!

Swig is one of our favorite treat stops!!

In fact, we like it so much, we swung by on multiple occasions.

And Wild Zucchini was my favorite eatery of this particular trip!!

Christmas Eve was upon us before we knew it.

And we gathered together for food ... 

And family ... 

And fun ... 

It was great to be able to spend time together! 

And we're grateful to Allison and Ryan for hosting all of us in their beautiful home. 

Pretty sure we enjoyed every minute!

Right down to this great moment when we read the Nativity story, and the kids (and Darren-what a good sport!) acted out the parts. It was pretty special having sweet little newborn Abbie to represent little baby Jesus. 

All the magic, beauty, and togetherness because of his magnificent birth.
We filled these out at my Dad's church during our visit with him. I liked Kevin's answer:) ... 

And now for Christmas morning!

In typical Dueck fashion, we waited patiently at the stairway, until we got the go-ahead that all looked in order around the Christmas tree;).

What a peaceful Christmas morning scene. 

Time for presents:

An 8 ball, skater gloves, video games, and a Star Wars Star Destroyer!

Plus a fuzzy Star Wars blanket, Kano programming set, and some handwritten gift "vouchers".

We had gotten Porter a guitar as one of his gifts, but decided that it just wasn't going to come on the road trip with us. So to show him what he was getting, my amazingly artistic husband;) made this for Porter to open ... 

And then he was having so much fun, that he made this for me as well:-) :-) ... 

And then a few sibling gifts (my favorite part), and a stocking for Grandma!!

Time to have a little family fun!

And enjoy a cozy Christmas morning together at Grandma's place:-).

Right when you thought the fun was ending, it's really not!

Kevin's ever-thoughtful Aunt Sue, invited us to hang out with all of her kids and grandkids at a friend's pool/rec house. We had so much fun being together at this amazing pool!

Playing with adorable baby Natalie!!

And more!

(the place was pretty incredible)

Kevin and his cousin, Nate, use to play a lot of ping pong in their early college days, so took some time to have a little fun with a re-match or two. 

(It's okay, Babe! There's always next time;)

And finally, New Years Eve had crept up and we were off to explore the popsicle version of LDS Temple Square.

It was so cold outside, we escaped inside one building or another every chance we got. 

Although, did pause long enough to snap a picture or two!

Cousin Lizzie got to come with us, which made Mae quite happy:).

On our way back for more NYE excitement, we stopped for a quick dinner at Costa Vida. 

And then headed to Allison's for a night of Bingo and more family fun (disco ball and dancing included)!

Allison had rounded up all kinds of prizes for the Bingo matches. 

And we had a great time playing!

All of us:-). 

Especially during the prize winning part!

And faster than we would have liked, our vacation was over and we were back on the road again. 

It was nice to get to stop and stay a night with my grandmother and aunt in Idaho ...

As we passed back through, towards our neck of the woods. 

Packed together in our crowded, but quite comfy vehicle

In fact, although I often look at the MPG we get in our AWD Sienna with frustration (it's non-AWD counterpart gets way better mileage!!), I was loving our choice during this trip! Snow was all over the freeway, many a car was spun out on the side of the road, yet we zipped along with absolutely no problems. So happy with how it handled!!

This little guy looks awfully happy too:-). 

While I wouldn't want to be away for Christmas every year, we had an amazing time. In some ways, it was actually a much more relaxing and peaceful holiday season than usual, because I let a lot of the normal traditions go, knowing it would just be too crazy to fit them all in--no decorations, almost no neighbor gifts etc. And actually, I think this was a good reminder to me that when it comes down to it, the family, friends, and kindness are what's important. The other stuff is definitely fun and nice, but certainly not on the essential list. 

Love this family of mine, and love the beautiful holiday of Christmas where we get to celebrate the mortal birth of our sweet and good Savior!