I know that technically Christmas was a few weeks ago, but I am just getting caught up from being gone for 10 days and getting back to work this week so I am just getting around to blogging about our Christmas vacation. Considering that one of my resolutions was to be more consistent about my blogging again and today is the 10th of January, I am not doing so hot. BUT it is better late than never right?
Before we left to go to Arkansas we had a long weekend off to catch up on sleep on rest a little bit. Incidentally, being the week before a long break and a full moon, the kids were a little wild so I was exhausted and definitely ready for some R&R and time spent with family. On Christmas Eve we were up bright and early to head to the airport- thankfully this trip we were able to fly out of Ontario instead of LAX because it is much closer and much less chaotic. It was good that we got to the airport so early because we got the next to last spot in the parking lot! Even Macie got to make the trip with us. She has become quite the seasoned traveler!
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| Now she knows when I get her carry on bag out that she gets to come with us. This look says it all: "Don't forget to pack me, Mom!" |
Thankfully we arrived in Little Rock without any hiccups, delays, or lost bags. In California it was 80 degrees when we left, and when we got to Arkansas it was around 32 degrees- talk about a major change! Braden's sister Melissa and his brother and sister-in-law JJ and Traci had no idea we were coming for Christmas, so it was really fun getting to surprise them! On Christmas Eve we were able to go to the Christmas Eve service at Braden's parents' church and were there for their annual tamale dinner. Yummy! Christmas morning I woke up super congested- of course I would get sick when I am on vacation! But we still had a good morning opening gifts with family.
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| Macie had a great Christmas! She got some news squeaky toys (and drove us all crazy) and some chewy bones. She also had a wonderful time chasing squirrels in the backyard! |
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| Braden surprised me with a new snowboard! I can't wait to try it out on the slopes! |
We also went to see Anchorman 2 in the afternoon which was really funny. The rest of the time in LR was spent relaxing (I was trying to recover from my cold!), hanging out with family, and I also spent a lot of time reading which was great. I read the Divergent series which was pretty good, but also a little disappointing (anyone else feel this way?). We also got to hike up Pinnacle mountain which was really fun.
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| The view from the top |
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| Us at the top |
After a fun week in Little Rock, we were able to make a trip to Houston. My parents stopped by Little Rock as a round a bout way go home from Wichita. It only cost us $25 to change our departure to Houston from Little Rock! It was fun to spend a few more days with family. I was able to go out to my long time trainer's barn and ride her fabulous mare, Charisma, who had been in retirement for the last several years due to lameness problems. I was the first person on her back in seven years and she did great! It was so much fun riding her again, the last time I was able to was when I was a senior in high school!
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| Charisma, me, and my trainer, Mrs. Adair. She has known me since the fifth grade! |
On Wednesday night, we rang in the new year playing card games and hanging out. It was low key, and really relaxing. On Wednesday, we were able meet my entire family for lunch at our favorite mexican restaurant, which was awesome because they have the best queso-something that California is seriously lacking. That night we went to a sports bar to watch Baylor play in the Fiesta Bowl- inadvertently showing up at the same bar that the Baylor watch party was at. Unfortunately, Baylor didn't show up to play, but we still had a good time!
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| Sic em! |
Unfortunately, the time of went too fast, and all too soon it was time to head back to California. We ended up getting delayed in Phoenix for four hours, but we eventually made it all the way back. It's strange to feel that going "home" to our own bed is in a hotel, but it's one of those strange paradoxes of traveling.
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| Beautiful sunset leaving Houston |
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| I found this gem in SkyMall..The Biffy Buttler! It makes me laugh so hard. No this isn't a joke! |
After we got back, we hiked up Garcia trail, which I had actually climbed several times with my best friend when I would come visit her in college. It has a great view from the top! We went with our friends Jenn and Phil, their friends Matt and Jenny, and the dogs Marley and Brody!
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| We made it! |
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| This only took a few tries haha! |
It was so hard going back to work this week! I don't know who had a harder time, me or the kids! Not sure what we will be up to this weekend, but we have some exciting plans coming up! Here's to a great weekend!
