Christmas Break!

This year we were so excited that Casey was able to get about

3 weeks of a break from school.

He needed it.

But we were more excited because 

we got to go to 

Texas!!!

Yea baby

We were going home!

The Monday before we left I had my checkup and we were set to go.

We left the 19th.

We struggled enough with a child traveling on a plane.

We feared the worst.

The plane ride was actually great.

Until the last 5 minutes.

My mother-in-law traveled with us

and she was carrying Eliana the last 5 minutes.

Elianas tummy did not like it aaaand....

well lets just say her just that had been consumed earlier was now on her onesie.

Poor baby girl.

Luckily I had packed an extra pair of clothes and changed her fast.

She was fine after that.

For the first few days we stayed at Casey's parents house.

My parents and brothers were sick.

Eliana had a blast being around her cousins, Tanner and Brooke, who were also staying there.

On Sunday the 23rd Liam was blessed in the Rowlett 2nd Ward.

For Elianas blessing we were up at 7 am.

Eliana did not want to cooperate so were late.

Embarrassing.

This time we hope it would be better.

Was it?

Nope.

Eliana and Liam decided to sleep in and Caseys alarm did not go off. 

Once again we were late.

Anyways it was a beautiful blessing and he looked handsome in his too big for him suit.

We had brunch after the blessing at Casey's parents house 

and the dinner at my parents house.

For the time we were there we were trying to find a day and time that we could do Christmas for Casey's side of the family. When everyone would be able to get together. In the end not everyone could get together but most of us did on Christmas Eve Morning. 

Eliana had a great time with all the cousins. 

She had never been around so many kids. 

Liam of course chilled most of the time.

 For the kids there was a book exchange and well

Eliana LOVES books.

She can't focus on just one.

So new books for her is great!

She of course enjoyed Liams books as well since he can just yet.

For the adults we did a "white elephant" gift exchange.

We had fun with it.

Casey ended up with some coasters Melinda made

and I ended up with Withering Heights movie and bath salts.

Then we said our goodbyes to April, Anthony, Tanner and Little Miss Brooke.

We then went to my parents house for Christmas Eve party.

It can get a little crowded and crazy at times.

It was so great to be able to spend this time with our families and have them meet Mr. Liam

and see how much Eliana has grown. 

We had tamales and all the Mexican tradition stuff.

Just this year was not as traditional as we usually do.

This year was more of just socializing.

And because Casey and I are soooo old and have two kids we hit

the sack as soon as they did.

Christmas morning we gave Eliana the gift we gave them

It was Finding Nemo.

We then headed to Casey's parents house and spent some time with the Callison Clan. 

Austin and Michael had a great time messing with Eliana by tickling the back of her legs and fleeing the scene before she turned around.

She just kept yelling "HEY"

It is quite cute how she yells it, for now.

We stayed the rest of that week with Casey's parents so that Casey could spend time with Austin and Kenneth (his brothers) before they headed back to Houston.

After that we were back to my parents.

One of the nights we were staying there Eliana woke me up in the middle of the night with a fever. My poor girl.

Teething didn't help.

She's got 8 teeth and the molars.

She had never been sick before so she was just miserable.

When I told her she looked miserable she responded, "I knooooow."

She says things so cute.

But the fever only lasted about an hour. 

I rubbed doterra oils all over her.

Love them!

Peppermint, Lemon, Frankincense, On Guard, and a couple of other ones.

She fell back to sleep but woke up with a cough, runny nose, hoarse voice, and warm

but I kept checking and she didn't have a fever.

It just worried me that she lost her appetite.

Shortly after Liam began coughing, had a hoarse cry and runny nose. 

The good thing he didn't catch a fever. 

I think the fact that I breastfed (since my pump broke) the entire time he got sick, helped.

By New Years they were better and ready to party again.

Everyone (except us) got together at my uncles house and we were too tired. 

We slept early.

Again.

I actually wanted to be awake but wasn't.

I woke up and asked Casey what time it was he said 1:20 and then I passed out lol

Because the kids were sick Casey and I decided to postpone our Anniversary to the 4th and 5th.

Oh how wonderful it was.

We were able to leave the kids with my parents.

We went to the Dallas, Texas Temple where we were sealed 2 years ago.

It was so wonderful to be able to go after so long.

The temple is such a beautiful place where I can seek the Lords advice and it is so peaceful.

We took pictures and we had a great experience.

Afterwards we went to eat.

We then picked up the kids and went to Doug & Emily's wedding reception.

Then we headed to the hotel 

where Eliana enjoyed sleeping in her own bed.

It was the first night we all slept so peacefully.

The next morning we had a great breakfast! 

Eliana loved it!

We loved getting stared at bc we had two babies and carried our trays while pushing two strollers!

That's right! It takes talent!

We then went to Movie Studio Grill where we watched 

Les Miserables!

Why yes I do love musicals where no one talks at all.

I wish there were a lot more movies like that.

Then we got to eat where Casey and I had our last date before we were married.

Eliana loved the food.

Since Eliana has learned that we pray before we eat,

she thought that by saying "Amen" her food would be ready.

Which is why she kept saying "Amen" and turning to see if someone was bringing her meal.

O that girl.

Well when she finally got it she ate her heart out.

She can eat!

We were then off to my uncles house where my cousin was having her baby shower. 

Since it was a shower that both men and women could attend with their children we were all able to go from there.

Casey participated in a poop eating contest.

As you can see only two participated lol

When they counted to three they were to open the diaper and eat the ice cream inside. 

Casey won!

Of course he did.

The other guys were too grossed out.

My dad said it was because Casey was the only one changing diapers at the time.

It's true.

Then we both participated in a contest where I was to sit on his lap and he was to feed me apple sauce while he was blind-folded. 

(Wish I had a pic)

He started with the spoon upside down. 

And he got it on me of course but it was lots of fun.

Texas is our home because that is where the family is but after it all we were ready to be in our real home in Utah.

The night before we left we packed everything and headed to my uncles house one last time to say good bye to everyone.

Our Christmas break was so fun but it's so nice to be home finally.

P.S. Here are some other pics of great times 

  Eliana fell asleep on daddy's lap while watching sports news with him. Notice the xbox control on her hands.

She's a gamer.

Can't blame her.

Both parents are.

This is what my parents do with our children.

They dance.

And the kids love it!

Christmas Morning. 

Eliana telling a joke 

and giving Liam too much love for his liking lol

At the end of the day I can't help

but to love life

I have an amazing husband who loves me and takes care of me

and our kids

and kids who make me smile every second!