Christmas Vacation Part 2

Everyone absolutely loved having Aubrey in the house. 

There was always someone to play with her and she could run around. When she got grouchy, we'd put a movie on and she would have someone sit by her. 

And Aubrey was fabulous! 

Now, I'm totally going to forget things. The days went by so quickly and events may be left out. 

But one afternoon we went to Temple Square to see the lights. We got there very early though and the lights weren't on. We took advantage of the sun still being out and we got a great family picture with just Jared, me and Aubrey. 

Here are the pictures we got!

We love to see the temple! 

To waste some time, we went to the City Creek Mall and walked around for a bit. It was fun. Once it got dark, we went back to see the lights. But I forgot the stroller. Whoops. Aubrey didn't care for being held so long and got cranky. She got even more cranky when she couldn't pull on the lights. She really got upset when we wouldn't let her get in the fountains to play. 

We decided to end the night a little early. Everyone met at Kneaders for dinner and Aubrey was very well behaved for that!

Laura (Grandma La La) would give Aubrey some of her food. Aubrey loved it so much she took the fork and kept dipping it in to La La's food and then into the salad dressing. It was so funny!

Overall, it was a great day. Few grouchy moments with Aubrey, but it was such a fun family night. 

The next day was more fun for Aubrey. More running around, more snacks, more of people being willing to play with her. 

Everyone was super great too and worked around Aubrey's schedule. We had lots of late lunches because we'd go out after Aubrey's naps. 

For Christmas Eve, we went to The Cheesecake Factory and it was awesome. Aubrey ate broccoli, french fries and little pieces of rice and peas from people's food. And she'd make a walrus face by bending the french fry in her mouth and having both ends sticking out! I couldn't get a good picture, but it's easy enough to imagine her doing it!

Later that night, we did the Christmas eve presents and the program. Aubrey handed everyone their presents and we'd applaud every time she gave one! She was a great Santa's helper. She'll do almost anything for applause!

After we all put our pajamas on, we went downstairs for the Christmas Family Program. 

For those who don't know, every Christmas eve, the kids in the family put on a program. They rewrite songs, create dances, or reenact movie scenes. It's a tradition and is a present to their parents. 

Aubrey wouldn't do the songs we practiced a few weeks before (Jingle Bells and Once There Was A Snowman), which I expected to happen. But when her aunts and uncles and father would do things, she'd run out and watch them. It was funny. 

It was time to put Aubrey down for bed because we kept her up for the program. Jared and I stayed in the guest room near Aubrey, but the other kids slept in the basement (another tradition). 

Christmas day will have to be another post. I don't mean to drag this out forever, I just want to document most of the important things that happened. 

Christmas Vacation Part 1

We had so much fun the past week and a half! For Christmas, we went to Draper, UT to spend time with Jared's family. 

It was the first time in years that everyone has been there! It was a special event for all of us. 

Because so much happened, I will document the trip in parts. Aubrey is currently awake and trying to get used to the time change and getting back to the regular schedule, so I don't have much time to go through everything at once. It happens :)

I had most everything packed a couple days before our flight. There are always a few things we have to wait for the day-of to pack, so I left plenty of space. 

We flew out of the Chicago Midway airport, which is a good 3 hour drive for us. We planned to leave with extra time in case there was traffic or weather or crazy lines at the airport. Aubrey was so good in the car! I sat in back and held up the computer for her as it played movies to keep her entertained. Jared was so great and drove the whole way.

The airport was another story though. While I changed Aubrey's diaper, Jared was stuck in a long line trying to check in 3 large bags. Poor Jared. I was going to get a headstart through security, but realized I left Aubrey's birth certificate in Jared's backpack. So we waited and met up with Jared when he was done and went to the security line together. 

Thank goodness for the family line! Aubrey was NOT happy to be stuck in her stroller after being so good in the car for 3 hours. A man directed us to the line for families and people who needed extra assistance. We got through it quickly. I planned my outfit ahead so I wouldn't get stuck in the metal detector. I wore slip on shoes, no belt, no jewelry except my rings. Went through smoothly :)

I always forget about the no liquid thing. But they tested my water bottle to make sure it was water and let me through. Aubrey's stuff was fine. I was SO happy I didn't have to dump out her watery juice. 

We still had time to waste at the airport, which was great. Jared took her on the moving walkways and she  loved it!! Finally time to start boarding and Aubrey was getting cranky. It was her bedtime and we were all ready for her to sleep. Plus, the plane was delayed about half an hour. 

But of course, things never go perfectly. We took off, everything was good. I got Aubrey to sleep in my arms. Getting comfortable was a difficult for me though. She is kinda heavy now and the seats in the plane are kinda awkward. Aubrey woke up after about an hour and totally freaked out when she realized we were somewhere other than home. 

Jared tried to comfort her in the back on the plane where people couldn't hear her too much. But she would not be comforted. So I went back and worked my magic. Got her calmed down and sat back in our seats. We put on a movie and just wanted to survive the rest of the trip. 

Landed, got our luggage and met Chris and Alicia in the pick-up section. 

It was so fun seeing them, even if just for a few minutes! They took us to Jared's family's house. 

Funny story: the driveway at the Roush home was pretty slippery. There was ice and my boots had no traction. I tried walking from the car to the door and my feet kept slipping! So there I was, stranded in the middle of the driveway, unable to get to the door. Luckily, Chris hasn't started the car yet and Alicia had the door open. I started calling for help, either to get Chris's attention or try and get Jared even though he was already in the house with Aubrey. Alicia realized I was calling for help and told Chris to help me. He came out, laughed at me when I explained the situation. But he helped me to the house by letting me grip his arm. 

Thanks Chris!

Aubrey was so good with the family! Let people hold her. Had a good time. Spencer was wonderful and gave up his room to Aubrey so she'd be across the hall from us. Everything was set up and we successfully put her to bed. 

She slept great and woke up happy the next morning. Aubrey loved all the new places to explore and really enjoyed the stairs!!

Thus concludes Part 1: Getting to Utah

Movies aren't the same

Ever since becoming a Mom and adjusting to the role, I have a completely different experience watching movies than I did before. 

I'm not saying things are better or worse now, just different. 

For example, Aubrey wants to watch movies all the time. Especially if they have animals and lots of songs. So pretty much, we watch Disney all day, every day. 

Which is fine! I enjoy most of the movies, even though I can complain about pretty much every one :) Jared gets annoyed (I think) when I always trash talk movies. But that's for another post when I want to play devil's advocate. 

We are watching Tarzan right now while waiting for Jared to come home. This movie never really got any sort of emotion from me before. 

But when the baby ape gets eaten by the leopard (or whatever that large cat it) I feel so sad for the Mom and Dad! And then hearing baby Tarzan crying makes my heart break!

Now I care SO MUCH when a baby is involved in a movie! People say you develop a stronger sense of empathy when you read a lot. But my empathy-side has grown so much having Aubrey!

Hearing her cry makes me want to do everything I can to help (unless it's been happening all day and she's just in a cranky mood). So when I hear anything like that in a movie, I feel so sad!

And I greatly dislike parts in movies where parents lose their child. How awful! I can't imagine how that is, and I'd rather not try.

I need to start watching movies that have nothing to do with children. Maybe I'll watch Gladiator when Aubrey is asleep and just skip the part about Maximus's family. Or I'll watch something a little more family friendly like Charade or To Catch A Thief. 

Now, my rant is over.