It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Dickens opening line from A Tale of Two Cities pretty much sums up my Christmas vacation. It was the very best, and also the very worst.

It has been a dream having Cody home for a month! I must admit it took me a while to get used to having him home, not that I don't absolutely adore him and love having him around, but when it is just me and Mack I get into a routine. When Cody is home all I ever want to do is hang out and relax instead of doing the dishes and vacuuming the floor. Today is the first day Cody is back to work/school and I am sad.

I didn't take hardly any pictures this season but I did snag some off Cody's phone so here are a couple highlights from our Christmas vacation:

-Cody took me the the Nutcracker!! I love going, but haven't gone in years so I was very happy. Cody is such a good sport:) He liked listening to Tchaikovsky, but wasn't 100% into the ballet :)

-Mack is adorable and hilarious

- I baked and ate much more than I care to admit, but here are some pictures of some cookies I made, coconut gumdrop cookies, peanut butter kiss cookies, and chocolate cookies with chocolate chips and a rollo baked into the center of them. And you wonder why Christmas is my favorite time of year?

-This year with the in-laws we did a lot of homemade presents. This is a Jones soda lamp that my little brother in law crafted for Cody. Genius Jaxon, pure genius. ...now where to put it ....

-This last picture took place earlier in the month. All us Jr High/High school friends got together for a Christmas party. I don't know why spouses were not included in this picture because they were there. ha ha. (and yes my hand is on Erica's behind...what can I say) It was lots of fun and so good to see everyone. Thanks Whit for having us all over... and Saije, you are going down next year, I am bringing my loaded dice.

Even though my Christmas holiday was filled with much joy it was also filled with;

-Me, Cody, and Mack each getting 2 colds... thats right, we were all sick over Christmas, we got better for a few days, and then we all caught another cold.

-My parents finally leaving. They are loving their new house, and doing good, but I am sad they will be living so far away.

-Grandpa Harris passed away. Ralph Harris was Cody's grandpa and lived just a few streets away. I like to think of him as my own grandpa though, seeing as how my one living grandfather probably doesn't know my name, and couldn't care less about me. .. but thats another story.

I will forever remember sitting outside with grandpa while he smoked his cigar and we talked.

We are all sad he is gone, but look forward to seeing him again someday.

My Christmas was filled with happiness and filled with sorrow, but mainly just filled. It was so busy that it went by in a rush. I wish I would have taken more time to focus on the birth of our Savior, and not so much worry about all the other things that "needed" to get done. Hopefully next year I will remember this lesson and lighten my to do list.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.. now on to 2011!!