I visited my family for two weeks and dropped off the face of the earth

I had full intentions of blogging a time or two while I was visiting with my family in Utah over my long Christmas-break-from-reality. I really did. But my laptop had struggles connecting to my parents' wireless network. I mean, it would. not. connect.

So, instead of taking it to some computer guy who might've been able to fix the problem in a jiffer, I just ignored the laptop/internet conundrum, and I hung out with my family.

Feel free to infer that my long Christmas-break-from-reality was fantastic.

Because it was.

Being in the land of my inheritance with the people I love best (for something like thirteen days) was magical...

Also, I spent some time with Brooker for a little bit down in her new neck of the woods (Utah Valley) just before Christmas. And I also met up with Lisa and got to meet her little guy, Russell.

Meet Russell. I think he looks like an adorable little man!

This is how we look in Provo.

We had planned on going to Snowbird, but got distracted on the way...

These ponchos were super comfy. Too bad they were obnoxiously bright.

I desperately wish that this coat would've been available a size larger.
And the pants, a size (or two) smaller...

This top looked more ridiculous on the hanger.

Since we took too long shopping, we ended up going to Soldier's Hollow.
Allyson and her daughter Brooke came, too!

Soldier's Hollow is a tubing hill where you hitch a ride to the top on a pulley,
then fly down the mountain with a cluster of your friends. FUN!

I'm smiling because I didn't have to hike to the top of the hill.
Not. Even. Once.

I love this picture. You're cute, Brooker.

After Utah Valley fun with Brooker (thanks again, Brooker!), I stuck to my family like glue, basically. I visited Gramma with Mom and Brent (and met up with Aunt Karin) a couple of days before Christmas. Gramma's memory wasn't as good as I've seen it recently, but she was in a cute, silly mood, and it was fun watching her unwrap her Christmas gifties...

I think she looks sassy in her new striped sweater from Karin.

And on Christmas Eve, Aaron's and Ryan's families came to Mom & Dad's place for dinner, which was pretty fantastic.

These cuties melt my heart. Kaylee, Seth and Marshall.

Papa got Derek laughing hard. It was adorable.

Good grief, that face. That! Face!

Seth and I have a silly relationship. I took this picture after he smeared chocolate on my face,
and probably before he licked it off?

(The chocolates in question, made by Amy. Divine.)

Ah. There it is. The chocolate lick. Thank you, Seth.

Emmett is such a happy kid...

The "silly face" thin is always their idea, but what kind of aunt would I be if I didn't oblige?

Yep. I'm happiest when I'm with my family and snuggling with my nieces and nephews.

 I've said it before, and I'll say it again, but November and December rock my world; life goes by with ridiculous speed, most especially during those months, but it's always such a happy blur for me. Spending time in the kitchen making delicious meals; general goof-off-ery with my siblings and their offspring; twinkle lights; beautiful music; people being more thoughtful and generous; eating delicious meals with those I love best; continuing traditions I've enjoyed since the days of my youth...

Yes, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. Every year.

And now it's January. Or, as I like to call it, The Month of Mondays. It's not actually been too bad thus far, and I'm working on being positive and treating January as if it's, like, the best month ever. (Happiness is better than misery, after all.)

I'll be back soon with something blogworthy, I'm sure.

In the meantime, I want to wish the happiest of birthdays to my sweet sister-in-law, Janel! I hope your day was amazing, lady! And to Mr. Sethington: I love you, bug! I can't wait to smear chocolate on your face next time I see you, and maybe discuss Harry Potter with you some more...

we need a little christmas, right this very minute...

Back in October, I signed up to hopefully get tickets for the upcoming Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert. I also made my mom, dad, and youngest brother sign up, just to increase our chances of going. Mom's name was drawn (or however they do it)! And there was much rejoicing!

We went Friday night, and it. was. AWESOME. Deborah Voigt sang with the choir, and it turns out she's kind of a sassypants, and completely adorable. Also? John Rhys-Davies narrated. John. Rhys. Davies. That's Gimli, dudes! His deep Welsh voice is amazing to listen to! They did a Charles Dickens segment that was fantastic. Also, one of the organists (was it Clay Christiansen?) did a solo of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and it sounded like something the Phantom of the Opera would play. Incredible! (If you can ever find it on PBS, go ahead and watch it.)

The show was so. dang. good.

After the concert, we walked around Temple Square in the cold. Because Temple Square at Christmas is glorious.

Brent, Mom and me. This selfie was taken while Dad went to the car to get his coat...

On Saturday, we had our family Christmas party.

The Orgill family isn't small in numbers, and it keeps on growing (YAY!). There are ten adults and eight kids (between the ages of 9 years, and 8 months). All of us were at my parents' home in content Christmas chaos. I loved it.

We had soup and sandwiches for lunch, then the kids made a crafty Christmas treat, and then it was time for presents. (We missed Brent up until just after 1:00, since he had to work that morning. Humbug!)

Also, Aaron and Ryan arm wrestled, which was fun to behold.

Seth and his powdered doughnut mouth.

Emmett and his powdered doughnut mouth.

Kaylee making her doughnut snowman.

Jane is having a good time.

Julie liked snacking while others made her snowman craft.

Kaylee waved her snowman guy like a fairy wand against Seth.

The three girls playing ring around the rosy. Cutest thing ever.

Jackson laughed pretty hard when Goose tickled his back in earnest.

Ready. Set. GO!

The girls unwrapping their LaLaLoopsie dolls from gramma and grampa.

Emmett was so cute when he unwrapped his present; he said, "I got a box!"
Then he got really excited about the book and Snoopy...

Marshall was thrilled to get "don't break the ice."

And this Harry Potter-loving boy was ecstatic to receive this HP lunchbox.

Isn't he the cutest?

 It was such a lovely weekend, and I cannot wait until tomorrow to head back down Utah to see more of my family and enjoy the heck out of Christmassy stuff, and ALL OF IT!

CHRISTMAS!!!

There is so much to love about Christmas, you know...

Going home and spending time with the family. Playing games. Watching movies. Making tasty food with Mama, and eating the tasty food we made. Driving around town in a winter wonderland to see the lovely Christmas lights. Chasing my cute nieces and nephews around...

(I just realized that most of the things I mentioned can be done regardless of the time of year, but whatever; the fact remains that I love Christmas.)

I went home a couple of days before Christmas, and I did all of the lovely things I mentioned above.

We broke tradition this year, and instead of having turkey for our O-family Christmas Eve dinner, we had pulled pork. (Mom and Dad were given a mostly-thawed turkey a few days after Thanksgiving, and Mom couldn't even think about eating turkey, let alone preparing and baking one.) I had no qualms with that; pulled pork is near the top of my "favorite foods" list. (Let's not go there right now, though...that list is rather extensive.)

YUUUUUMMMMM!

Yeah. Lots of Dec. 23rd was spent in the kitchen with my mama. (I like spending time in the kitchen with my mama.) ALSO, Dad totally went with me and Mom to see the Christmas lights around town. He insisted on driving (won't tell you why--unless you ask), but he totally drove slow enough for us to enjoy the show :)

On Christmas Eve, Brent and I saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie. We totally loved it. (And nobody understands it less than I do, but WHAT THE HECK?! How is it that Jude Law is a stone fox even when he wears a mustache?!? Gah!)

Shortly after we got back from our matinee, I discovered that I wasn't feeling well. At all. Yucky tummy feelings, you see. I figured it would go away, but I felt worse as time marched on.

And by the time my brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews got to my parents' place for our Christmas Eve party...well. Whatever. I didn't eat dinner with my family that night. The worst part, though, was being in the same room as my cute nieces and nephews and not being able to chase them and cuddle with them and gobble them up.

Definition of self-control:
Being presented with this cute face and keeping my lips to myself.
It was agony, folks.

Anyway...my brothers/sisters-in-law and I did our gift exchange (Brent got me a cool hand mixer), and we watched the kids open a gift from my folks. (I love watching my kids open gifts!)

I ended up going to bed early that night, and then...

Christmas morning wake-up call...

On Christmas morning, Vance, Abby and Jane came over to open gifts with Mom, Dad, Brent and me. Janie got super excited about, I think, every single one of her gifts, so unwrapping took a while (which is fantastic!). I was most excited about my new Magic Bullet. (If you click on that link, I won't lie: it's a dumb infomercial, but I LOVE my Magic Bullet!)

ANYWAY...

Christmas ended up being very lovely (although the lack of snow was a bit disappointing). We went to church, and my little stomach flu (or whatever it was) went away (ish), so I was able to eat a bit of leftovers from Christmas Eve. We played games and watched a Christmas movie (I think?) and relaxed and totally enjoyed ourselves.

Aaaand I also enjoyed the rest of my trip to Utah.

I went with Mom and Dad to babysit Aaron and Amy's boys while they went to dinner and a movie...and since I was feeling better, I got to play with my nephews! (HOORAY!)

Silly Seth

You better believe I planted my lips on his cheeks as often as possible...

Wow...Jackson looks so much like his daddy!

 Umm...what else? I hung out a bit with Vance, Abby and Jane...

Oh, how I love my Janie...

The biggest bummer is that Goose and his family were gone for Christmas (they were visiting Janel's family in WA), so I didn't get to chill with them and chase their little ones around...

BUT! I met up with my dear friends Julia and Jamie for lunch the day before I headed back to Idaho, and that was LOVELY! 

And now...I'm back in Idaho. I got my hair did this morning, and I've fallen ill once again. (Not a stomach thing this time, but still...what the devil is this all about?!)

Already looking forward to the next time I can spend some more time with my stupendous family...

Essence of Cinnamon, and Ugly Sweaters

I went to an Ugly Sweater Party this evening.

Jess made some homemade hot cocoa, and was sprinkling cinnamon into the mix (score!).

Seeing the cinnamon reminded Keri of something. "I've heard that if you put either teaspoon or a tablespoon of cinnamon in your mouth, you can't swallow  it."

Shalene wanted to know if it was true, so she volunteered to try it out herself.

Jess handed her the little jar of cinnamon, and I grabbed my camera...

She was a good sport, right? She was totally choking on essence of cinnamon for about ten minutes afterward (plus gargled, ate a brownie, and sipped water to help control the coughing). I asked her if she was sorry she did it and she said, "Nope. But I'll never do it again!"

I LOVE YOU, SHALENE! :)

While I'm at it, I might as well post the pictures that I took. (Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of everyone's ugly sweaters.)

Shalene, Brookie, Keri and Beth

Melissa rocked her Rudolph sweater!!

Keri, me, Brooke and Beth

I'm totally bummed because people told me my sweater was kind of cute (which is depressing to hear at an ugly sweater party!), but I tell you what, the neck was nasty, and it's got, like, a metallic glint to it! I'd never wear it under normal circumstances! In fact, I put the sweater on about an hour before the party began, and I sat on the couch reading trying to read; my sparkly sweater was so shiny that it TOTALLY distracted me, and I had to pull my blanket up all the way so I could concentrate on my book. 

PS I'm still reading the Hobbit; it's not that I'm not enjoying it--Tolkien is a stupendous writer, but I do NOT give myself much time to read! I'm almost done, though! Bilbo and the dwarves have already met Smaug; they're currently hiding and trying to figure out where he is and how to defeat him--meanwhile he's off trying to destroy the closest village. I'M GOING TO FINISH THE BOOK WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, because I still need to read "A Christmas Carol," but I can't just push The Hobbit aside, or I might never finish it! Gah!

Sorry for that tangent.

Turns out, maybe I lent my ugliest of ugly sweaters to Beth and Kari...

Kari and Brooker

 Hooray for Ugly Sweater parties, and for fun friends!