Surprise Trip to Utah!

Stephen totally surprised me with a solo trip to Utah!

I left a few days after Christmas, which was crazy.  My flight was delayed two hours + 

we waited AN HOUR for luggage!  I've never seen SLC that crazy before, 

and my mom and I FINALLY made it out and home just before midnight.

The next morning was one of my favorite memories of the trip.

Dean remembered me!  Not only did he remember me,

but the moment I picked him up, he put his head on my shoulder and gave me an actual hug.

This is a big deal because, as Brandon said, "Dean doesn't snuggle."

Happy Auntie Moment!

I also loved getting to help Kate set up and stage and props for our very own, private showing

of Moana.  Brandon had lots of roles.

I was the ocean.

What a fun way to start my trip off right!

The next morning, we all met up for breakfast at Bryan + Lacie's home.
It started snowing on my way, and I said I wouldn't be driving again.  If only.

I got to meet another one of these adorable babies, Lydia, who just slept in my arms.  

After church the next day, we headed over to Emmy + Eric's.

Baby Melodee and I got to bond over our pink head accessories.  

That night, it was my turn to pick Sunday dinner:

meatloaf, salad, baked potatoes, and asparagus.  

I only wish I had room for more!

We also went over to Emmy + Eric's for some late night games.

We laughed and laughed over hilarious answers to random questions +

amazing group efforts at t-shirt creations.  

There were many late night game nights, and by New Year's Eve, I was pooped.

I made it back to Jules' + Zachs house for the countdown...

Just Scout and I (no kiss to ring in 2019).

Back home, the boys found an all-you-can-eat kids' sushi lunch deal for their New Year's treat.  

Altogether, they ate 10 rolls.  Stephen had his one.  

After this, things went a little downhill.

Exhaustion, dehydration, altitude sickness, upset stomach

constipation, stress, and having too much fun took a toll on me.

I got pretty sick.  So sick that Stephen had to fly up and rescue me.

With his bag of fluids and steroids,

he swooped in to save the day!

He also gave me the best IV stick on my life.

I was sad to leave on a low note, but how grateful I am for this amazing husband of mine 

who planned with my family to surprise me (and them)

with a loving and thoughtful gift of time,

and was able to rescue me from how much I overdid it all. 

I'm grateful for Jules + Zach for letting me crash at their place,

for all the laughs and fun times,

for the time people took off to spend time with me,

for driving me back and forth in the frigid temperatures,

for help taking care of me when I wasn't feeling well,

for making the time to give me a blessing,

for letting me hold the sweet babies,

and for all the other special moments and memories 

(before my body decided it was done.)

I only wish I could've celebrated in taco-style for Nicole's b-day,

and been able to finish out the trip a little better and less scary/stressfully.

Here's to 2019, y'all!

Christmas

There's nothing quite like the magic and excitement of Christmas morning.

This was a Christmas of t-shirts, toys, homemade gifts of love, and great memories.

PISTACHIOS!

Where does the present end and Dayton begin?

Underwear?  (He LOVES them now!)

ROCKS!  (from Claire)

ROCK CANDY! (from his brothers)

Later on that day, the Herveys got together.

We spent time with our little family for lunch and a movie.

Then, it was FINALLY time to open Boulter/Solari gifts.  

(I love our tiny Charlie Brown tree.)

Aunt Jules surprised us with amazing gifts--a mini library for Kyle and hippos for Ryan and Evan (they had sung the song for her when she asked what they wanted to Christmas!)

What a fun and full day of celebrating our love for each other and for the Savior!

Twelfth

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me

twelve drummers drumming,

eleven pipers piping,

ten lords a-leaping,

nine ladies dancing,

eight maids a-milking,

seven swans a-swimming,

six geese a-laying,

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS,

four calling birds,

three French hens,

two turtle doves,

and a partridge in a pear tree.

Christmas Eve

Traditionally, the Coopers go out to eat on Christmas Eve, earlier than usual, 

in order to allow restaurant workers to have Christmas Even with their families.

This year, we waited too long to make plans and found ourselves with no where to go. 

Stephen had an epiphany:

Why not try a hibachi place, as many in that culture don't celebrate Christmas?

Brilliant.  

He called, and we were in the car to catch a table they had waiting just for us.  

This just might be our new tradition.  

The other BIG thing for Christmas Eve is secret stockings.  

Kyle was adamant that we had this in 2018.  It's one of his favorite things about Christmas.  

We all draw names and secretly shop for our person.  After filling the stockings on Christmas Eve,

we open, youngest to oldest, and try to guess our giver.  

This is such a fun activity, with lots of laughs!

Then, the kids leave out cookies for Santa + a treat for the reindeer.

In the quiet house, Santa's magic is all around.  

And, mom and dad head out to get kolaches at our favorite 25/8 donut shop.  

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!