New years eve at the Lymans

Just say it, we're crazy!

We drove home from St. George on New Years eve. Invited friends over and threw together an awesome fondue New Years Party. I didnt take any pictures but

here is a little video to show you some of the fun.

Home for Christmas 2010

I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me.

Please no snow, but mistletoe.

And all the presents for me!

Christmas Eve will find me, where the sunshine beams

I'll be home for Christmas, if only for two weeks!

We were lucky enough to get enough time off of school and work to run home for Christmas this year. Our trip down was literal hell. 13 hours of non stop, snow, rain, hail, fog. Scared for our life most of the time we made a "game" of counting all the cars that had spun off the road. For your information 28 cars, 9 Semi trucks, and 13 Voluntary pull overs. At one point the roads were so bad that all the trucks just stopped right there on the freeway to chain up their tires.

We finally made it to St. George and the entire town was flooded. We stopped by Grandma Lyman's house to give our Christmas wishes but we were not able to stay long in fear of our car floating away. This is the Virgin River Gorge. Most of you that have traveled the 15 many times have NEVER seen this much water there. Zach related it to Charlie and the chocolate factory " it mixes the chocolate, makes it light, and frothy." He is such a goober but I love him!

We finally made it to warm, sunny, beauti-.... wait, what the heck!? Where is the sunshine? For your information it rained almost out entire trip. Sad about the weather but beyond happy to be home and spending time with my family.

We went to Aunt Allynne's house for Christmas Eve. Christmas day we woke up and opened presents with my family. We laid in bed and waiting by the phone until Elder Josh Lyman called. We were to scared to shower or get ready for the day because we didn't want to miss this call. We had so much fun talking to Josh. We miss him every day! Zach did his tradition of throwing up on Christmas. Don't ask me why, hes just done it for as long as he can remember. He has no control over it.

That evening we went to Grandma and Grandpa Websters and got to see all of Zach's family. Enjoyed turkey sandwiches and got to meet their new puppy Sully. Cute little thing. The little cousins played with the new race car outside while we were stuck inside with "adult conversations." Sometimes I miss sitting at the kids table. Merry Christmas 2010, love the Lymans.

Also on our trip home I was able to visit my good friend Stephanie and her new baby. I went home last month to see Jayden when she was born but the little stinker decided to stay in the NICU a few extra days and so I never really got to see her. One evening I helped Stephanie make cookies for all the nurses for the NICU and she snuck me into the NICU and I got to see Baby Jayden at 3 days old. She is beautiful. Looking at this kid you would never believe she was 6 weeks early! Zach and I spent alot of time over there just holding and loving her. There is NOTHING like holding a little tiny newborn to let you know the miracle of life. I also was able to do her newborn photo shoot and the pictures turned out great!
Another fun adventure while we were in town. We were able to see TT bear. Can you believe how big she is getting?! We took her out on a "cold date" (her words) so that her parents could go on a "hot date." We played for a while at her house and she showed me all the wonderful things Santa brought her. Then we went to a movie at the theater and saw Tangled. Zach tried and tried to convince her to see another movie, but the girl knew what she wanted. We love playing "house" with her. Afterwards we painted her nails and went out to dinner. I am so glad that she remembers me. I was with her so much growing up but you never really know how much they remember. She knows my name, knows that I live in the snow, and knows that I sing to her and I'm her favorite playing buddy, aside from the neighbor kids of course.

Lyman Family Fiesta Tradition

The Sunday before Christmas we celebrate the annual Lyman Family Fiesta. It is one of my favorite celebrations. As Zach would tell you, "its a whole bunch of white people cooking Mexican food." I tell ya, I joined one AWESOME family. I don't know how it started or why exactly its Mexican food but its wonderful! The whole family comes together, we stuff our faces with Mexican food, act out the Christmas story and just enjoy being together.

This year we spiced things up with a pinata!

Our nephew Max taking a turn! This was so fun to watch, three grown men holding a 2x4 and praying that no one breaks anything.

We opened a few presents early this year because Zach and I were going to California. We gave Lance mustaches to replace the one he had to shave when he was called as a temple worker. We all wore then and even little Maizy joined the fun and let us put one on her.

Then we dressed up and Lance read the Christmas story from the scriptures. I was a Shepard, Lindsay the star, Finleigh was Mary, Max was a king, Jono was the donkey, Zach I believe another king?, Maizy played the role of baby Jesus and Nate?.. well we don't really know. He showed up with a gun and we just let him in the picture.


Now this was the highlight of the night. After trading a few gifts, Mom and Jono gave Nate his gift. Believe it or not... it was a lime green spandex suite. He came out of the bathroom and I laughed so hard I almost forgot to take pictures. The look on Lindsay's face says it all. Let's just say, you could see EVERYTHING in that outfit and I saw sides of my brother I never wanted to see. But BOY was it funny!!!


Zach and I all dressed up before the Christmas story. We have so much fun getting the kids dressed and acting out the story.



And with lots of laughs and a tummy full of good food, we ended our evening. It was so much fun and I can't wait till next year.
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On a side note, I took this darling picture of Kyra helping Grandma decorate her tree.

Provo Tabernacle

This is what I saw on my way to work today. Tragic. The Provo tabernacle up in flames. It is one of the oldest buildings in the state and it was sad to see it go. I'll update more information when I know more.