What a Week!

An old Friend Visits

Deedee Goodall and her family came from Texas to visit and stay for Christmas. I was so excited when we were able to spend so much time together. We went to Gargoza, a sledding place in Park City. We had a blast, me, Deedee, Nick, Hunter (her brother), and Kevin (their friend) and had quite a few close ones coming down the hill! After experimenting I think we've come to the conclusion that going down backwards, in a chain, is by far the most thrilling and I believe we went the fastest on those two runs (my idea by the way). The first time we tried this way, we somehow flipped so Deedee ended up going over me and we ended up in front. In the process, somehow, Kevin pulled off my boot, sock and all! Brrr! Cold! The "first aid crew" came running over to make sure everyone was OK, luckily we all survived. Our first run, we combined with another party and we had 9 I believe, in one chain. . . well, I ended up as the caboose. on the second jump, we went up and came down on solid, packed snow, my tube fell behind and I rode the rest of the way on my belly on the snow. Overall we had a great time, even though it was freezing cold!
Later she came with her family to our house for dinner. Even Michelle (her sister) and her husband Rob came. We were able to gossip, laugh, and have a good time. Me and Deedee worked on a puzzle (we always put out puzzles through the holidays, another tradition). I miss Deedee and am grateful for our many memories together and savor every moment I have to spend with her. She is a wonderful friend and I wish we weren't so far away.

Me and Deedee - Go UT (Longhorns)!!

Christmas Rush

My family has SO many traditions; I love it. Christmas Eve is pretty calm until dinner at my Gma and Gpa Mason's home. This is when the fun and excitement really begins. This year we drove in a snow storm and by the time we got to Sandy there sure was a lot of it! After dinner and presents, we headed out to my other grandparents where we get together for songs and stories, including the Christmas story and the "McCloclin Story" - a tradition in our family for many generations.

Afterwards we went home and continued with our own traditions. We always let go red balloons and say "Happy Birthday Jesus" - there is a story we read beforehand that goes along with that. Then we open up presents from each other (the siblings) plus we always get new pj's. . . this year my mom and dad got pjs too. We always sleep together on Christmas eve, the siblings anyway. Well Nick insisted we sleep down in his room in the unfinished basement, so we did. Tyler and Tiff on Nick's bed, Nick on the couch, and I on the blow up mattress. Well somehow I ended up with the leaky mattress and within a few hours, I was sleeping on the concrete floor! I couldn't go upstairs b/c the tree was between my room and the basement. Yeah, I basically got no sleep along with the billion other kids, who waited anxiously for any sounds of Santa's sleigh, and probably didn't get any sleep. Anywho, it was a VERY loooong night! We always say family prayer before going out to the tree and then we line up youngest to oldest and come out on my parents command. We, as a family, got a new 40" screen TV! how cool is that, we've had a blast watching all of our 12 new movies we received as well. We all had a wonderful Christmas. (I made Nick a double fleece University of Texas Blanket and had it embroidered) Later we drove back to salt lake for Christmas Breakfast with the Inkley's, another tradition which has gone on for many generations. My grandparents buy the fish as a present to the family. There is also "normal" breakfast food such as hash browns, eggs, and ham for those who don't enjoy the finn inhati, like me:) We then return home to 'play' with our new presents. My mom always puts out a yummy buffet and we invite friends and family.

Movies

My Gma Mason had tickets from her work to go see the new National Treasure! It played at the Thanksgiving Point Theater and it was awesome! I definitely recommend it. My Gma bought us plenty of popcorn, candy, and drinks.