This Christmas was extra special because we were able to celebrate with both families. We have been overseas for 5 years, waking up Christmas morning and being alone. I had to cook the food, Dave had to bring some entertainment, and for the last 3 Ava has brought all sorts of joy. This year it was my very first "Kiddo" Christmas, where it's all about kids. Presents were wrapped in secret, stockings stuffed with love and cookies left for Santa.
It all started at the chilly, Heathrow Airport.
We saw Santa and since Ava had conquered her fear of the big guy during the Church Christmas party she wanted to say "Hi," but ONLY if he had a treat for her. Santa always has treats!
On the plane and eager to get going. We had to fly 13 hours to Los Angeles and then a short 1 hour trip back to Las Vegas. It was the longest trip I have ever flown, but Ava was awesome. She was such a big girl and there were no problems.
We got in really late and had to be up early to make it to the Temple Sealing of David's cousin Rob and his wife Amy in the St George Temple. We were still running off adrenalin at this point.
This is what you get when you ask the Miller brothers to SMILE!
That night we celebrated Hollies Birthday at the bowling alley. It was a lot of fun and the kidos kept us on our toes, crawling all over the arcade games.
I was so happy that my mom, Dad, brother Jim and sister Jenn could come down and spend some time with us. It made Christmas even more memorable. Mom is playing with Addi, Gage and Ava under the covers.
Because their rented house was so close to the temple we walked down the block one night to watch "Mr Krugers Christmas" and take a few pictures.
We enjoyed a classic Ward Christmas party with Mom and Dad Miller. It was busy, loud and a little chaotic but when is a ward party not all of those things. Gage even decided to participate in the Primary presentation (he was such a brave boy to get up in front of everyone when he had no clue what to sing!)
The time went by so fast with mom and Dad Robison, but on there last day in St George we took a hike through the red rocks above the city. It was a beautiful day, the only one with SUNSHINE since they arrived. Thank You so much for making the long drive to see us. Love you all!
Christmas Eve was a lot of fun. All the Millers got together to eat lasagna, play games and open pajamas. Ava is riding Uncle John like a horse (Ava just loves John ever since he came to visit us in Germany.)
Mom Miller had gone out and bought little gag gifts and cute dollar store items for everyone to play "Righty Lefty Christmas Swap." First the kids played and then the adults, I ended up with M&M Trail Mix and Dave swapped Trey his Freeze Pops for a box of Chocolates.
This is the newest Miller member Brynlee, fast asleep.
I was on Santa watch on Christmas Eve. Dad Miller does such a good job of decorating his house for the holidays. All of us , but especially Ava were super impressed with the entire Washington/St George lights and decorations. They had more lights then all of our 5 years overseas combined!
The whole family on Christmas Eve
Dave trying to wake Ava up on Christmas morning. It wasn't even early, I don't think we got up until 8am. I would have bet money that we would all have been up at 5-6am with 5 kids in the house.
This is Ava's 4th Christmas and she really got into it. She was so excited at the site of her stocking and that was only the beginning.
These are the presents Ava opened. One had to be re-wrapped because Gavin opened one on accident. The look on his face after seeing a Snow White doll was priceless! Those things happen when you have lots of kids excited on Christmas morning.
Unfortunately I had the camera all morning and didn't get any pictures of me opening my presents but I got a few of Dave.
After presents was a French toast breakfast, showers, games, treats, movies, toys and typical Christmas Day activities.
It rained a lot the first week we were in St George. It rained so much the Virgin River flooded. This is Gunlock after all the flooding happened. The guys took a "man" day to do father/son/nephew things.
Then we celebrated Jaxon's 2nd birthday! Poor guy was sick almost the entire time we visited. Plus he isn't used to sharing Grandma and Grandpa with 8 other grandkids at the same time, so he had things a little rough.
Then one morning it snowed! This isn't impossible in St George but it is a rare treat. So we put all our warm clothes on and played for as long as we could. Grandpa even built a Tropical Snowman.
We went out for Mexican food (something not found in England) and threw all of Grandma's coins into the fountain.
Suzy and I treated ourselves to a pedicure. I tried to use trick photography to hide my bunions. I think it worked, they look smaller.
For New Years we all gathered again at the Miller house to eat finger food, play games and lite fireworks and sparklers.
Then Dave drove me and Ava down town to watch the St George fireworks. Everyone else was either too tired or didn't want to brave the cold. Which is too bad because they were spectacular!
Even though it wasn't as warm as we wanted it to be we kept busy in the yard. Dave pulling the ice out of the fountain pond so the turtles could breath.
Taking Tilley the Goat for walks
On our last Sunday we were able to participate in the baby blessing of Brynlee. John did a great job even though he was nervous. Brynlee was a good baby and slept though the whole thing.
Then guess what, it SNOWED again! It was crazy weather the whole time we were there.
So we made another Snowman
And a fort for Tilley to climb on
Suzie bought Ava a really cute tutu and Ava was a beautiful ballerina for the day
We took a drive up Cedar Mountain with Dad Miller. The snow was deep, the icicles long and the views were amazing.
To make sure we got to the airport on time for our early flight we spent the night in Las Vegas. We stayed at Fitzgeralds and ate at a timeless Vegas buffet. The perfect way to end an amazing vacation.
Pit stop at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, and were almost home!
I love the way kids fall asleep when traveling. After we took this picture we placed Ava on the floor and surrounded her with pillows and blankets. She slept for 4 hours straight. Nothing better.
