We were bummed to have to say no this year, but then Cam and Katie decided that they would help frey the costs for us by donating some serious $$ and that would be our Christmas present and moms Christmas surprise. Yep, surprise.
We did not tell Mom that we were coming. We planned everything and just flew in, drove to the house and walked in as she rested in her chair close to midnight. We sent Jacob in first so that he was the first thing she saw before we all came walking in. It was so fun to see her so happy and know that we were so missed. We told her weeks before that there was no way this year and even had Katie intercept all packages that were coming to Pittsburgh for Christmas so it would be a total shocker. We gave the "Scoobie Doo" plot for our whole plan and everyone was thrilled. We did not get to bed until hours later after talking, laughing and planning for the coming week., but it was so much fun to let the kids see family.
Our time there flew so fast. We shopped, ate out and talked for days before Christmas as we got everything ready. We had our Swedish Christmas as we do every year and turned in early for the big day. I stayed up and played Santa's little helper (as I love to do every year) and wrapped all of the gifts and arranged them under the tree. I sat watching the lights twinkle in a darkened room with presents pouring out from under the tree for a few minutes and smiled like I do every year after I feel satisfied that Christmas will be a success. I loved it and then missed dad terribly. I still keep waiting for him to come down the stairs and smile at me. I was glad to be back in the Shumway home and it made me want to be back. After reflecting for a bit, I headed off to bed and tried to get a few hours sleep.
The morning of the 25th was started with the kids piling in on me at 6:30am full of laughs and excitement. The boys were full of smiles as we gave them their toys and treats. Jake wanted to hand everyone their presents and kindly offered to open them for us as well. We had to ward him off with presents of his own every couple of turns so that it stayed fun for him. Ricky was still as excited about the bows and paper as he was about the presents so he was loving the heap of paper we all threw into the corners of the room.
The gifts this year were thoughtful and generous. Everyone really tried to do things that were meaningful and we appreciated everything so much. Rick & I gave silly gifts (all we could afford) to Cam & Kate and one small serious gifts to everyone. Rick decided months before to put together a beautiful book of letters that Dad had written and kept over the years. They ranged from letters on missions to talks that were quite beautiful. Rick had them bound & Copied for each family member and we gave them as our gift. It was not much, but it was really sweet and made us feel like he was there.
Our Christmas afternoon was my favorite Chinese restaurant lunch ("clab legs") and then we headed off to the Jensen's house for an evening of fun, laughing, more food and kids all over the place. We loved seeing Jakie play with his cousins (he was very fond of Trace), and Ricky play with any cousin that would play with him. I always love being at the Jensen House. They are such a fun family and they are my brand of nuts. Alex came into town this year and it was fun to get to see him. I find him so sweet and so fun to talk to and I love how Rick gets excited when he knows that Alex will be around. Every kid in the family loved playing with him all evening and were excited for the gifts he gave them. The evening wound down late and we all said our goodbyes. We were sad to leave but headed out into the cold for home.
We spent the next few days at the house with everyone and headed home the morning of the 27th. We cried from the terminal in UT until we had flown hundreds of miles East on our way home. We were exhausted & ready to get back by the time we landed. Everyone got plenty of sleep that night and it was like it never happened the next day. We sure miss being home, but we are so glad that we had the chance to see everyone and spend the holidays with family we love. We wish our families lived int he same city! It would have been fun to add a little Hutchins craziness to the trip. Well have to surprise Grandma & Grandpa Hutchins one of these years next.
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