Christmas Recap

Our Christmas recap: It began with my family on Dec. 22-23, however, I'm going to have to snag the pictures from my parents and then do a separate post on that! Ruthie racked up there and had a great time with all her cousins.

On Christmas eve, we got up really early and headed to the airport on our way to Seattle. We were really grateful to be able to catch up with one of our favorite people and have Jeff see Ruthie.Our first flight was to Chicago, and Ruthie was angel. We arrived to Chicago with no problems and were at our gate for the second flight when they announced it would be delayed an hour. It was no big deal at all, we were just really relieved we would be leaving soon. We boarded the plane, all was good, until about 1 hour in.

Then Ruthie's ear's must've been killing her. She was miserable. Wouldn't eat, wouldn't sleep, just screamed and pulled her ears. It was pitiful and we felt completely helpless. I thought once we landed it would stop, but she screamed the entire way to Grandma's house. It was really sad.

The rest of the day she still wasn't feeling good and just wasn't herself. She wasn't able to sleep, which made for a really long night. She did not have a fever.

On Christmas morning, Ruthie racked up! She got a kitchen from Grandma and Grandpa which she absolutely loves. It sings songs, identifies objects, has a light. She can use it to stand up, its great! She received a ton of gifts from Grand-Santa, and loved them all!

That afternoon, we headed over to Great Grandma's house for a few days of fun. Ruthie was still out of sorts, not sleeping, and just not herself. My Mom radar was seriously going off, but I wrote it off to traveling, new time zone, sleeping in a pack n play, a lot going on, etc.

We were so suprised to see John and Linda had made the trip from Arizona to surprise everyone for Christmas! It was great to see them and have them meet Ruthie (even though she a little scared of John....sorry John!!) That evening we had a great time and a delicious prime rib dinner! Its a fantastic tradition ;-).
We had decided on stockings for everyone, or each person contribute to each person's stocking with small things. I thought it was a great idea, and helped on the holiday budget! There's usually an intense game of dutch blitz going on (have you tried it yet??)
The next morning, I was excited! It was bread making day! Joel's Grandma, Phyllis is famous in the family for her bread, and thusfar no one else makes it. Jessica and I decided we would learn (and remember) how to do it, so we can carry on this tradition!

We each had our own bread making stations and ingredients. (I would also like to state that thank the Lord, I got my haircut soon after this picture was taken. Thank you.)

Mixed and Let rise
then Kneaded and shaped to rise again

and Baked

Success!

Phyllis also taught me how to make jam, which is something I had been wanting to learn. She is a great teacher and while it will be tough to make bread as good as hers, I'm definitely going to give it a go and carry on the morning toast tradition.

We spent one more night there, and snagged a picture I think is so cute of Ruthie, her Daddy, Grandma and Great-Grandma.

Then we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. The next few days, Joel, Jessica and Grandpa went skiing, while Grandma, Ruthie and I stayed at home. One day, we went to the Tacoma zoo. Judy and I really enjoyed it, we also enjoyed Ruthie knocked out sleeping :-)! She woke up for the last part of it, and had a so much fun with Grandma all over but especially in the big jaws!

And that is Part one!