Christmastime!

We spent Christmas Day in Idaho Falls this year, and it was my very first Christmas without my family. I wasn't sure how I would feel missing Christmas at home, but the McNaughts have a lot of their own...unique...traditions (oranges and peanuts in stockings??) which made it fun. I think the kids in their family must be a lot smarter than we were because they make a big deal about using all the same wrapping paper from Santa, and all the Santa gifts have to be in the same place, and have to come out at the right time...etc, etc...I don't think I ever would have noticed!! haha. Let's be honest, I just wanted presents.

Anyway, we had a grand old time making candy sleighs and racing them for prizes, making Christmas treats, watching old slides, and playing with our adorable and entertaining niece and nephews...but I hope that we'll be somewhere a bit warmer next year. No offense Idaho (but seriously, it was frreeeezzzinnnggg).

Brent's sister Anna and her little man Vincent:

Grandma Jean:

I got recruited to take the family picture, which I was a little worried about....

But it actually turned out pretty well...

Idahoooo

We were lucky enough to get to go to both of our homes this Holiday season! Idaho was freezing, so we went up to Brent's friend Chad's cabin in Island Park to make the most of the winter wonderland. You have to drive in on snowmobiles, carrying all of your stuff, which was funny and entertaining, especially when people fell off. The best part was hanging out with people we hadn't seen in yeeeears...like Matt:

and Chad:

And Kat:

Brent was there too...

Among others....like Blake and Will:

Matt was kind enough to give me the opportunity to exercise my second amendment rights for the very first time! Unfortunately the first shot (when I fell over backwards) was not recorded, but the second shot (when I look really confused awesome) was.

In case you're wondering I was shooting at a tree, and I shot it twice!! The same tree!! Impressive, I know. Here's the cabin:

Then we sat around burning stuff in the coal stove. The glass shattered when someone accidentally splashed some melting snow drops onto it...oooops. At least it looked cool.

There was also a lot of Nintendo, which I forgot to document, and some delicious chicken tortilla soup (even without the beans and corn which we forgot at Walmart checkout...) and several movies (including Contact). Thanks Chad's Dad, and Chad, it was a trip to remember!!

more pictures here.