No thanks to the weather, I missed my best friend's wedding in Rexburg ID. There was this HUGE storm that caused Jarom and I to leave for home earlier than planned. We had to try and make it across Nevada and through the mountain pass at Lake Tahoe. We left at 3pm from Utah and arrived a little before 3am at home. The roads were really icy and for the first time, I saw car accidents across I-80. Jarom ended up getting sick half way through and became completely useless to me. This was by far the worse trip home. 
BUT thanks to the weather, I got to come to this beautiful girl's ballet performance of the Nutcracker. I wasn't able to go the year before.
Grandma Phipps and Makayla
My dad mentioned during the intermission that coming to the Nutcracker is becoming a tradition. I am pretty sure this is her third performance since she started as a little mice.
And my sister takes on the full time job of getting Makayla to and from her rehearsals, as long with helping backstage. That's a lot...trust me! I got pulled backstage ONCE to help and it was CRAZY!
...She sure is an angel...
Afterwards, we met up for dinner. Bryan and Ashley joined us with their kids. They supported Makayla by coming to the after party...that's dedication. :)
DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE!
Mom waited for Jarom and I to get home to decorate the Christmas tree with our personal ornaments.
The kids loved decorating the tree and I loved helping them
Makayla is getting so big!
When Parker didn't want to be an ornament on the tree, Jarom tried to package him back up for the box. His expression shows what he though about that.
The other adults chilled on the couch. Even though it doesn't look like it, they really don't do drugs.
Parker is a sweet Mommy's boy.
Caden never sits still unless you give him an iPhone. But... 
...he was so patient and delicate when it came to putting the ornaments on the tree.
After decorating the tree, Ashley read the story about the Grinch to the kids. Mom and Dad gave the grand kids stuffed characters from the book.
...THE DAYS IN BETWEEN...
My dad got some beautiful new office furniture. I had to over come my fear of tight corners because I was the only able to help the plug the cords in the back.
Christmas family home videos are regular occurrence in our household at this time. The entertainment of watching Jarom fall of the stool while singing never gets old. I get to see the 'cool' clothes my siblings and I wore and ask 'why'? But the best is watching how funny we think we are. We would make a great TLC show...people just don't know what they are missing!
We love getting together in the evenings to play cards. This year we rotated house because we could! :)
Caden loved playing with Tami's toys. He played with those magnetic toys for about 45 minutes!! This might sound like a lot....but it is!
Evan loves playing Mario World! I can honestly say he is obsessed. haha. But for a 4 year old, he does extremely well. I would say he beats me to prove his awesome skills except that really isn't a huge accomplishment. 
Jarom and I have slept by the Christmas tree at least once before Christmas as I can remember.
You are never to old to enjoy the lights and excitement Christmas brings.
...COOKIES...COOKIES...COOKIES...
This is the kid before the sugar!
haha...I just love these pictures and I love this kid. The pictures really capture what Caden is NORMALLY doing.
Decorating sugar cookies has been a yearly Christmas Tradition in our home.
"WOW!" is right Bry. What were we thinking?? This was the first year the kids were really able to decorate on their own.
They had so much fun
...but it wouldn't be normal without a minor breakdown from our dear Caden.
I wonder where Mom got her inspiration
Bryan trying to teach Caden the skill of sugar cookie decorating...
....but he should of learned from the master.
It is all about quality not quantity :)
...CHRISTMAS EVE...
Another tradition...Chinese food for Christmas Eve. We always go to this little restaurant called China City.
Even Parker is laughing at Jarom...
haha...I love this picture of Parker!!
Haha...Bumpa's girl was tyling his hair.
After dinner we came home and Mom told the story of Jesus's birth. 
I was impressed with how good they listened
Every Christmas Eve we get to open a gift from Santa's Elf.
The grandkids got some new toys for Grandma and Bumpa's house.
Also the extremely unpredictable gift...
New PJs. Although, Evan wasn't too impressed with these ones at first. They are different from the normal PJs he has. These ones have a homemade look...I think they are so cute. ...CHRISTMAS MESS IS THE BEST MESS...
This year was different. Mainly because we got to sleep in until 9! :) But it was just Jarom and I with my parents in the morning. Apparently Christmas all day isn't as fun as it sounds because it would take that long when we had everyone there. SO we simplified. 
Oh this green purse. My mom saw this purse at SAMs Club and bought it for Santa to give it to her. I had call Santa up pretending I didn't know Mom bought it and explain how awesome this gift would be. "But she already has a lot of purses." Silly Santa, you can't ever have too many purses. Well, Santa's little elf couldn't handle the pressure of lying to Santa about the true history of this purse. Eventually Mom told Santa the truth. Lesson of story: Honesty can be instilled in children.
We are extremely classy around our home. An official booty call kit was given to me from Jarom with a note attached stating: Dear Megan,
It seems that all of my life I have been trying to protect you, trying to shield you from all of the filth the world has to offer. I've come to realize, however, that this one thing-- that no matter how hard I try-- I cannot protect you from-- your agency. Rather tha holding back, like a bird who has discovered her wings, I must let you fly away. You have embaced a new way of life, and who am I to stand in your way. I have always supported you, and this gift is my way of showing that I will continue to do so.
Sincerely,
The only guy who calls you before midnight.
The kit contained:
*Chocolate
*Apple Cider
*2 5-hour energy drinks
*Mints
*Chapstick
*Tissues
*Advil
*Popcorn containers
*Country CD
Thank you Jarom for all of your support...you are a great brother!
haha!! The look on my Dad's face, rightfully so, after reading my Mom's rhyme/hint for how to find his gift.
But his faced changed quickly when he saw this beautiful Thomas Kinkade print for his new study look.
He loved it!! 
After opening all of our gifts, we went to visit the other households.
I love this boy...he is just so cute!!
Bryan and Ashley's Christmas Mess!!
Mom enjoyed looking at all the new toys and playing with the too!!
Tami and Weston's Christmas Mess
I was in charge of the Buffet with my mom.
We had a GREAT spread.
Shrimp, fruit, vegetables, BUT my favorite Mozerella cheese and Bread!YUM!!
Grandkid gifts from the Grandparents
I love these pictures because I really feel like it resembles my family. We all just love hanging out with eachother and enjoying the entertainment.
The kids got my mom a silver platter...I guess she loved it :) 
Tami, Weston, Bryan, and Ashley got my Dad a white board for people to check out his tools from his Pool Shed.
I got my Dad some signs to go with it.
"Got tools? They better not be mine!"
"Beware of Wife" -- That is just fun.
Jarom got Xbox Kinect. It is so fun! No remotes...GENIUS!!
Caden is such a Daddy's boy. He wasn't feeling well and Bryan wouldn't feel well if he had to leave Call of Duty. So...Compromise... 
I LOVE coming home and I LOVE hanging out with my family!!
