Hillabolt.com

It’s hard to believe Christmas has already come and gone this year and it’s back to work tomorrow. It turned out to be a pretty great Christmas for all of us. Of course I think Peanut is already getting the best Christmas presents with a stroller (received a couple weeks early), some clothes, and a today she got a crib from Grandma Robin and Grandpa Dick.

However, Kevin and I did pretty well too. Kevin got a couple of hose caddy’s, a snow blower (since my parent’s don’t need it in Utah), level, a bunch of other things and his every year dose of pajama pants and socks. I got a couple of scales and griddles, trash can (kitchen) a really comfy robe, pajamas and a numerous other things. And the family didn’t leave Lexi and Rory out, who got a bunch of home-made doggie biscuits.

It was surely an eventful weekend, which started with our trek to Cherokee Friday afternoon. Rory seemed to do alright on this trip, without getting car sick. I’m not sure Kevin got too much sleep the first night due to every time Lee and Karissa would come and go the dogs would want to get up and check out what was going on. Poor thing only got a couple of hours of sleep. Kevin also had a bit of a surprise when Karissa’s bird (Stewie) took flight and flew right at Kevin. Kevin saved poor Stewie’s life by swooping him up before he ended up being lunch for the dogs. I also had a bit of an incident when I accidently got Lee’s dog (Sidney) a little close to Lexi…the two of them have a bit of cousin rivalry. Sidney was snapping at Lexi when my big toe got in the way…I had a minimal toe nail fatality after the incident was all over.

Emily was her usual energetic self. She wears Kevin out every time by playing any game she can think of, then when she runs out of ideas, it turns into an endless game of hide and seek. We finally turned her mind elsewhere when we let her open her present from us. I think everyone in the house had a fun time playing Emily’s new V-Tech. I think she liked it, but did get quite scared when the little purple guys came after her. She would hide her eyes and in a scared voice would ask Kevin to get her by that bad guy.

Sunday morning was the hardest for me. I had to say good-bye to the house I’d called home for so many years. And of course to my parent’s who have always been such a short distance away. I put off leaving for as long as I could and couldn’t look my mom in the eyes without crying. It was a bitter-sweet weekend, but they can head to Utah knowing that they raised four children who love them so much and wish them the best of luck in their new land …even if it is half way across the US.

We ended the weekend today by heading to Kevin’s parent’s for Dick’s famous Prime Rib and deviled eggs. You can’t call it Christmas without 20 little canine eyes watching you each time you put the fork full of delicious prime rib to your lips.

We hope everyone had as good of a Christmas as we did!! Everyone keeps telling us how different next year will be. We can’t wait!