Christmas at the Wimpees!

Christmas this year was really special for me. it was the first time I got to host my family at my house. I love Christmas, and love, love, love to entertain. So when my family said they were coming to me for Christmas I was really excited.

My sister flew in the early early Monday morning, which I was so happy about because Ive been really sick and definitly needed the help. She helped me prepare for my family who came in Tuesday night.

That night we started a new little tradition where we each had $2.00 and went to the dollar store. We drew names and then timed our watches for 5 minutes. It was so fun to scurry around the store trying to not get caught and find something in that little store for each other. Then we came home and laughed as we each unveiled our prizes. The funniest gifts have to go to Becky getting the " Ever growing man" for Tim, and Tim for getting Dad a Santa hat ( which he continually tried to hide the entire week)

Wednesday night was Christmas Eve and after our traditional feast of favorite appetizers we played, Catch Phrase and other fun games. I think everyone that night but me! I havent always enjoyed playing games but im starting to warm up to it more and more.

Christmas morning I woke up the family with a breakfast of Cream Cheese and berry filled freshlyl made crepes, Hashbrowns, Biscuits and Gravy, Orange Juice, sausage, Hot Chocolate, and Hot apple Cider. All on their requests.

We then had a leisurely morning opening presents one at a time and enjoying one another! We were really blessed to had recieved some very thoughtful gifts. And enjoyed seeing the reaction as we gave our gifts out too.

We then went over to Jacobs parents house and enjoyed our time with them and his siblings and their kids. I love this time of the year when we all get together and laugh and tell stories. It's always a joy to be at Jacob's families house, somehow we didn't get pictures there either. I guess Im just not as dilligent about picture taking as I used to be!

That night we had Christmas dinner and headed for Lookout Mountain to walk through the Enchanted lights. Its this massive rock garden where the decorate all the paths with many different Christmas light displays. For us it was just a good photo opportunity!

We have been really blessed this year. We have had our share of trials and sorrow, but have been uplifted and blessed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by our family and friends who love us!

Merry Christmas!

Fun in Utah

While we were in Utah My good friend that I grew up with took pictures of Jacob and I. Timing and weather permitted a small window of opportunity ( look closely and you can see the snow!) But we were more than happy with the outcome of out pictures. The first two are our favorites!

We really had a wonderful time in Utah. It was so great for me to finally introduce Jacob to so many of my friends and family. We were able to go up to BYUI and see Tim and the beautiful Rexburg temple. It really was breathtaking. For some reason I didnt charge my camera well enough so we didnt get pictures of many of the people and places we went to... i don'nt know what I was thinking!
After Rexburg we came down and spent some time with Melanie and Peter and their son Zach, our whole family but Tim was together. We went to .... I think its called the FESTIVAL of TREES? In Sandy, Utah. We walked through amazing decorated trees and gingerbread houses and wreaths and so much more.

A highlight for me was having Jacob meet my Mission President and his family. they invited us over to their house and we just talked for hours. I remember thinking in that moment... I just want to freeze time and bask in the power of the spirit and love they had in their home. We laughed about mission experiences and talked about our lives, and a visit without them would not have been complete without their simple advice and testimony of the Gospel. It was such a booster for me. And once again I didnt get a picture! aahh! My camera still wasnt charged right.

We also spent a night with Will and Kadee. Will is Jacobs best friend from Georgia who moved out to Utah and has been recently married. We had really looked forward to seeing them and had so much fun going out to dinner and getting to know each other as couples. We also got to see Will's sister Emmalee and her two girls. We look forward to seeing them again soon.

And of course as always, we loved catching up with all of my family and seeing how Zach has grown. Its tough to see family only once a year, but gratefully we get to at least once a year. Zach warmed our hearts picking up on Jacobs name quickly and singing songs about him. We really enjoy being an Aunt and Uncle to both sides of the family and are really blessed to be so close to Jacobs Neices and Nephews.

We hope everyone we saw will take our invitation seriously to come and visit and stay with us, we would love to have you!

Here are some more highlights from our trip....

Maughan Family Christmas Party

Recently Jacob and I flew to Utah for a week mostly to meet up with my mom's side of her family. Jacob ahs never met them before. We had a huge Christmas party where almost all of the 9 kids and their familes came. It was great to see everyone, the little kids have grown up so fast! I love all their little personalities and seeing how well the mimic their parents.

Favorite moments:
1. Sitting around the table with all of my cousins and Aunts and Uncles and eating good food and laughing it up.
2. Jacob beating most everyone around him in the family questionaire on Who was the person that____? etc!
3. Playing Volleyball for hours with everyone
4. Hysterically watching my cousins kids decorate cookies and themselves
5. Getting stomped on by Peter as we faced the volleyball net one on one HA!
6. Meeting new additions to the family
7. Grandma's hugs and words of love
8. Watching my mom lightheartedly teasing me and having fun with her siblings
9. Having everyone finally meet my wonderful husband!
10. Enjoying the season with so many that we love