- Buy and watch old Christmas movies with Rhys
We did buy a collection DVD of these old videos, but only watched two with him: How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Year Without Santa Claus. We'll watch more next year when Rhys has more of an attention span to watch a full movie.
- Do Elf on the Shelf with Rhys
We decided to forego this as we are trying to be careful with our expenses.
- Decorate the house with the family
Justin and I decorated when Rhys went to bed, but as soon as this year's package of Morrell ornament exchange came, we had Rhys help us put them on the tree.
Justin and I decorated when Rhys went to bed, but as soon as this year's package of Morrell ornament exchange came, we had Rhys help us put them on the tree.
- Visit Temple Square and see the lights
We did this together as a family of 3, and it was nice and intimate just being by ourselves and not extended family. Rhys loved the lights.
- Make and post the Morrell family DIY ornament
Done and Done. Rhys helped me make this year's DIY "A Savior is Born" ornament.
- Do Christmas cooking with Rhys and make plates to give to neighbors
Again, we watched our expenses and didn't really even buy a lot of food this month (especially since we will be gone for a week and a half and then moving halfway through January). But, Rhys did help me make some no-bake cookies.
- Host a Christmas party
Again, timing and finances were against us. But, this is one of my priorities for next year (and a Friends-giving party, too).
We left on Tuesday the 22nd. I had woken up with a sore throat. It was snowing, and we took the tram up to the airport. Rhys loved riding it--he kept saying "chugga chugga." Thankfully, our flight was during Rhys's naptime, so after playing with the windows, lights, fans, and touch screens, Rhys fell asleep before take-off and slept for half the flight.
When we got to Georgia, it was getting late, but my in-laws were so excited to see Rhys. Thankfully, he warmed right up to them, which we believe is because he recognized them from our weekly FaceTimes. My mother- and father-in-law cherished every minute with him.
However, Wednesday is when things started to go downhill. Less than five minutes after putting Rhys down for a nap, he screamed and we walked into him and his playpen covered in throwup. He continued to do so for the rest of the day. That night, after eating a lot of Puppy Chow, and watching Christmas Wish with my mother- and sister-in-law, I started throwing up as well. Thankfully, Rhys and I were better during Christmas Eve morning, although we were still a bit queasy. But, we were able to enjoy Christmas dinner!
Christmas morning was quick, easy, and peaceful. Rhys loved his new toys and all the toys he found at Grams and Papa's. However, he never ate well during the day. But, we did end up going to the Atlanta Aquarium Rhys loved seeing all the fish. It was a definite drain on all of us though, since Rhys and I were recovering (Rhys was now having trouble at his other end and I was still suffering from a cold--sore throat and stuffed nose) and Justin was beginning to have stomach issues. However, we loved the time we spent there and can't wait for an opportunity to go back or even go to the Draper Aquarium here in Utah.
Late that evening, Justin's sister Jill and her family drove down from Virginia...and Justin started throwing up. The next morning, we warned them of the illnesses, and Justin also had my sore throat. We rested, relaxed, visited, and watched Rhys become obsessed with his four cousins (They were equally obsessed with him). It had rained on and off this whole day and Rhys went out on a walk with his cousins and splashed in puddles for the first time.Thankfully, Justin and I were feeling well enough to go see Star Wars VII with Jill and her husband, Corbin. We loved it (and are super excited about all the movies coming out in 2016!).
Sunday, we all went to church and took naps. The adults, and two oldest kids, played a lot of Yahtzee, Uno, and Clue, while the two younger cousins and Rhys played with the trains, Paw Patrol, blocks, and other toys. We feasted on steak, ribs, and other good food. We also took all the kids to a playground and all five loved it!
Monday, we all went to the local Children's Discovery Museum. Rhys had an absolute blast--there were toys everywhere, as well as a lot of vehicles to climb into, shiny and noisy things, and a playground. We spent about two hours there and had to drag all the kids out because we adults were all getting hungry. Typical Morrell style, we ate at Taco Mac. The rest of the day was filled with TV, more games, and packing. Jill's family left to go to Myrtle Beach, and we hunkered down for an "early night".
Yesterday, we woke up before the crack of dawn...none of us had slept well...Justin because he was still stuffed up, Rhys and I because Rhys kept waking up due to coughing. At the airport while waiting to load for our flight, Rhys had a lot of fun playing with the LDS missionaries returning home. He cried for the first 30 minutes of the flight, but then fell asleep. Thankfully, we were placed in the front of the carriage, so there was extra leg room. Rhys rotated between sleeping on the floor at our feet and in my arms, waking for 30 seconds every now and then. But, he finally woke up as we were descending.
When we got home, our house was freezing, as we decided not to keep the heat on while we were gone. But, thankfully, it's warmed back up. Thankfully, I feel 100% again, but Justin is still a bit congested, and Rhys has a runny nose and coughing. But, besides the crappy illnesses, we had a very good Christmas Break. Justin has to work today and tomorrow, then we will be heading to my family for the New Year's weekend and even more Christmas presents!
We left on Tuesday the 22nd. I had woken up with a sore throat. It was snowing, and we took the tram up to the airport. Rhys loved riding it--he kept saying "chugga chugga." Thankfully, our flight was during Rhys's naptime, so after playing with the windows, lights, fans, and touch screens, Rhys fell asleep before take-off and slept for half the flight.
When we got to Georgia, it was getting late, but my in-laws were so excited to see Rhys. Thankfully, he warmed right up to them, which we believe is because he recognized them from our weekly FaceTimes. My mother- and father-in-law cherished every minute with him.
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| Helping Grams unload the dishwasher |
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| Watching ESPN and the Weather Channel with Papa |
However, Wednesday is when things started to go downhill. Less than five minutes after putting Rhys down for a nap, he screamed and we walked into him and his playpen covered in throwup. He continued to do so for the rest of the day. That night, after eating a lot of Puppy Chow, and watching Christmas Wish with my mother- and sister-in-law, I started throwing up as well. Thankfully, Rhys and I were better during Christmas Eve morning, although we were still a bit queasy. But, we were able to enjoy Christmas dinner!
Christmas morning was quick, easy, and peaceful. Rhys loved his new toys and all the toys he found at Grams and Papa's. However, he never ate well during the day. But, we did end up going to the Atlanta Aquarium Rhys loved seeing all the fish. It was a definite drain on all of us though, since Rhys and I were recovering (Rhys was now having trouble at his other end and I was still suffering from a cold--sore throat and stuffed nose) and Justin was beginning to have stomach issues. However, we loved the time we spent there and can't wait for an opportunity to go back or even go to the Draper Aquarium here in Utah.
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| Waving "Hi" to the fish |
Late that evening, Justin's sister Jill and her family drove down from Virginia...and Justin started throwing up. The next morning, we warned them of the illnesses, and Justin also had my sore throat. We rested, relaxed, visited, and watched Rhys become obsessed with his four cousins (They were equally obsessed with him). It had rained on and off this whole day and Rhys went out on a walk with his cousins and splashed in puddles for the first time.Thankfully, Justin and I were feeling well enough to go see Star Wars VII with Jill and her husband, Corbin. We loved it (and are super excited about all the movies coming out in 2016!).
Sunday, we all went to church and took naps. The adults, and two oldest kids, played a lot of Yahtzee, Uno, and Clue, while the two younger cousins and Rhys played with the trains, Paw Patrol, blocks, and other toys. We feasted on steak, ribs, and other good food. We also took all the kids to a playground and all five loved it!
Monday, we all went to the local Children's Discovery Museum. Rhys had an absolute blast--there were toys everywhere, as well as a lot of vehicles to climb into, shiny and noisy things, and a playground. We spent about two hours there and had to drag all the kids out because we adults were all getting hungry. Typical Morrell style, we ate at Taco Mac. The rest of the day was filled with TV, more games, and packing. Jill's family left to go to Myrtle Beach, and we hunkered down for an "early night".
Yesterday, we woke up before the crack of dawn...none of us had slept well...Justin because he was still stuffed up, Rhys and I because Rhys kept waking up due to coughing. At the airport while waiting to load for our flight, Rhys had a lot of fun playing with the LDS missionaries returning home. He cried for the first 30 minutes of the flight, but then fell asleep. Thankfully, we were placed in the front of the carriage, so there was extra leg room. Rhys rotated between sleeping on the floor at our feet and in my arms, waking for 30 seconds every now and then. But, he finally woke up as we were descending.
When we got home, our house was freezing, as we decided not to keep the heat on while we were gone. But, thankfully, it's warmed back up. Thankfully, I feel 100% again, but Justin is still a bit congested, and Rhys has a runny nose and coughing. But, besides the crappy illnesses, we had a very good Christmas Break. Justin has to work today and tomorrow, then we will be heading to my family for the New Year's weekend and even more Christmas presents!
How did you do on your December goals?
