A Billings Christmas!

We finished up finals on Friday and as soon as Garrett finished his last final we hit the road. We got our Jimmy John's and pops and were on the road.  It snowed and we had bad roads all the way until Bozeman and then it was fine. But I will forever have mixed feelings about Island Park. It is SO beautiful! Especially in the winter with all the snow but it is a pain to drive in.

On our way to Billings we were going as fast as we could but due to bad roads, slow people in front of us, and lack of time we didn’t make it for any of Payton’s game which was a bummer. My mom was in Casper both Friday and Saturday watching Sophie’s games. They both won on Friday night and Payt was on one telling us all of his feelings. It was quite entertaining.

On Saturday morning Garrett and my dad got up and went and played basketball and Payt and I slept in. Garrett came home to tell me that he was very out of shape and very tired. This led to him being sore for a few days. Then the four of us went to lunch at Mackenzie River before we headed to the gym. We watched the JV game and then Payt’s game. They won so that was good but Soph’s team lost to a HUGE Natrona girl’s team. 

After the game my dad, Garrett, and I ran some errands for my mom and ate dinner at Taco Treat and waited for my mom and Sophie to get home. My dad ended up going to another game but Garrett and I watched a Christmas movie and wrapped all of the presents we had.

Christmas Sunday was really good at my home ward! It was all music during sacrament meeting that was beautiful and then Garrett and I subbed in nursery and had the best time! My dad is now in the bishopric so it was fun to be able to see him up front and to make him smile a few times. Sunday night my family gathered all of our clothes that we don’t wear or need anymore and dropped them off at a family’s home that is in need. It was really fun and a good experience to be on that side of the giving. We have been so blessed with way more than we need and that we are in a position to be able to do that. Everyone deserves a wonderful Christmas.

 

 

On Sunday night Garrett helped Sophie with her Spanish presentation she had to give on Monday. She happened to pick to do it on Argentina so for one of her items to bring we made empanadas for her class. Garrett is so good to help her and is so patient and helpful!

The week leading up to Christmas, we didn’t do a whole ton other than ran errands, last minute shopping made food, waited for the baby to come and just kind of relaxed.

Garrett and I’s only last minute gift was for my Grandma Stott. We drew her name for the Stott Family Exchange gift. We had an idea in mind but had not had time to make it happen because of school. So on Tuesday Garrett made the idea come to life and it looked awesome. Kind of a pain but it turned out awesome and we think she really liked it!

Speaking of waiting for the baby, Elle, David, and Graham showed up Wednesday afternoon around two just for a few minutes and then went to David’s so we went over to Grandma and Grandpa William’s and said hi to them and the Rahlf’s. It was so fun to have them here for Christmas. One of the best things about being at home is my mom is a great cook and makes whatever we request and let’s just say we ate very well. 

After dinner when Elle and David came back David went to bed at 6 pm because he wasn’t feeling good and the rest of us stared at Graham and followed him everywhere. If someone took him to the kitchen we all went and when he went to take a bath we all went to watch. He was the star of the show all week and to say we are all in love is an understatement.

We let Graham open our present to him early because I couldn't wait. He figured out what to do quite easily. We got him a football because whenever he would come to our house he LOVED Garrett's football and he loved going to Garrett's games. He loved playing catch all week or just watching people play catch. 

The next day was Christmas Eve and of course we went to Target to pick up our pass around gifts. That is always a tradition for us and we always open one gift on Christmas Eve before going to my grandparents house but we waited til after. 

 *Remake of our Valentine's picture in 2015*

 It was so good to be all together! It had been a really long time since we had all been together!

This year at my Grandma and Grandpa Stott's for Christmas Eve there was about 40 people which is about half of our family! It was very full and hadn't been that full in a few years but so fun! It was so good to catch up with my cousins and aunts and uncles. I adore my family. I am so lucky to be blessed with the best relatives. This is alap thanks to these two wonderful people below. My grandparents are rockstars and the best examples. 

We now open sibling exchange gifts on Christmas Eve and my mom got us girls somewhat matching pajamas. 

Christmas Day was a little different than normal. Graham came and woke Garrett and I up at 8 at that's when everyone else started opening presents but Garrett and I were able to listen to Colby Skype his parents. He has been in Spain on his mission for a few months now. He was way chattier than normal and seems like he is doing so good! He talked for about an hour which was shocking. Then right after Colby got done skyping we were able to google hangout with Micah who is in Sweden. She seems to be doing really well too! She only has 5 months left so we will be able to see her in May!

While were were skyping Garrett's siblings my family opened almost all of their presents. So Garrett and I didn't touch our stockings or gifts until like 10:30! Elle, David, and Graham left before we were even done to go to the Lovatos. But Payt, Soph, and my parents saved a few to open with us! 

Payton is a big boy now! He is ready for college! He also thought he was pretty cool in his new jacket!

 Sophie got like 7 new soft blankets for Christmas. She doesn't need anymore blankets probably for the rest of her life. She wouldn't even share with Garrett and I and we were pretty sad about it.

Garrett and I were way too spoiled this Christmas morning and this Christmas in general. We have been blessed in abundance. For Christmas Garrett got: socks and lots of them, clothes, smell good, basketball shorts, a snow shovel for our car, mountain dew, candy, and more. I got for Christmas: clothes, clothes, clothes, temple clothes, a seat warmer which is heaven, hair things, the cutest brown boots and other things I can't think of. My parents and Garrett did a great job on picking clothes for me. My parents gave us the seat warmer and shovel and also gave us a HUGE thing of paper plates, and canned chicken which seems funny but we are so grateful! 

Since we finished opening so late it was time to get ready to go to my Grandma Williams for Christmas dinner. Last year my grandparents were in Utah (so sad) so we didn't spend Christmas day at their house like usual so this was Garrett's first time there for Christmas. We had a very delicious Christmas dinner that included turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, yummy salad, creamed corn, rolls, and more that I can't' remember. 

After dinner we didn't wait too long to jump into the presents. We first opened out gifts from my grandma and grandpa! I got the CUTEST Mary Engelbreit calendar that I had wanted and Garrett got a Buffalo Wild Wings gift card and he was oh so happy! 

After those gifts we played the white elephant game. This year instead of doing a cousin exchange we each brought a 10 dollar gift that could be gender neutral, for just girls, or just for boys. We all drew numbers and then went from there. The person who was up could open a new present or steal someone else's gift. Each gift could be stolen 2 times. It was pretty entertaining. One of the gifts that we brought was a C.C. hat that everyone is obsessed with right now. Morgan opened it and was so happy but figured it would be stolen. Because my dad just likes to get reactions out of people he stole it from her. But then Rylee took it from him. My dad said he really was going to give it back to her at the end if he still had it but Rylee stole it and it was locked in. 

Garrett ended up with a $10 gift card to Applebees which will be perfect because we can get that here in Rexburg. I ended up with some really cute rings from World Market. There were two sets and the one fit perfect but the other I needed a different size so I got the receipt from my Grandma and went to exchange them and they didn't have anymore :( So sad! But it's okay I love the one that I got.

Then I made everyone come outside and take a picture! Everyone was thrilled.. not. But when they turn out they love it! 

 *My family is getting the hang of it.*

I will truly cherish these pictures with my grandparents forever. I love them so much and their example of kindness, hard work, and love. 

I'm grateful that Garrett puts up with taking pictures with me, although I know he doesn't always want to. 

Because in the picture above, not everyone is pictured my Aunt Rona set everything up to make it possible to do google hangout with our family members who couldn't be there with us. 

Ben and Leanne were in Texas.

 The Cavey's were all together in Evergreen, Colorado.

Alex and Lincoln appeared for just a second who were in California and Elle and David said hi with Graham for a second as well. SO grateful for technology.

The next day we shopped a little bit and ran some errands before we went out to dinner for my dad's birthday! Soph, my parents, Garrett and I ate at Cafe Rio, went to the mall, Old Navy (where I spent a few dollars), World Market and we were all dead afterwards. We all needed a nap and as Garrett and I were laying down I kept opening my eyes and would look up to see this face...

Uhhhh no comment about that. So after our nap we went to Target with Soph, played with Graham and then headed to dinner. Graham was taking Holly the Moose for a ride. 

For dinner my parents took us to Umi. It is a hibachi grill in Billings that is amazing! My parents took  Payton, Sophie, and I when I came home for mother's day and when we were there we talked about how fun it would be to go with the whole family so they made it happen. 

 

At Umi they cook right in front of you while doing tricks and making it very enjoyable. They also toss food to you to catch in your mouth. It is actually a little stressful but really fun! Garrett struggles with catching food in his mouth for some reason and he went 0/3. I was 1/2. Then they made my dad scoot all the way back to the wall and he tossed him 8 in a row. He caught 7! It was so exciting and funny! 

They give you SO much food, it is almost impossible to finish it all. They give you salad, soup, the best fried rice you've ever eaten, noodles, veggies, and then you can choose your meat. Garrett and I both got steak and shrimp and it was delicious. Oh, and Garrett can do the impossible because he finished every last bite on his plate. 

*I don't even know... Garrett and I think this picture is hilarious so it has to be posted.*

 *We really struggled with pictures. If it's not one, it is the other.*

But, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DADDY! Happy birthday to this gem of a father. I don't know what I would do without him. It is so funny, kind, athletic, can do pretty much anything, and is so talented. We love him to death. Thanks for taking us to dinner for your birthday dad!

Sunday is my dad's actual birthday so we celebrated by going to church! We helped out in primary this week and Garrett found a new girlfriend. Avery my cousin's daughter has a little crush on Garrett.  It was just the cutest thing ever! Krista was happy because Avery actually did well during sharing and music time because of Garrett. Garrett will be the best dad to our children some day!

We had cheesecake for my dad's birthday dessert, went to his parents, and played compatibility (Garrett and I won).

Compatibility was so funny with my family! We drew names and partners out of hats and Garrett and I ended up on the same team. So it was us, Payton and my dad, and Sophie and my mom! Payton loved the grandma picture for some reason and Sophie always put the same picture down of a couple. It was so funny to see what people chose and of course it was even more fun because we won!

We had the best time in Billings, it is always fun to be with family! On Monday the 28th we head to Lander to see Garrett's family!