The day has FINALLY COME!!! We have been losing our minds with excitement and anticipation for months! Now it's time to get on a plane and go to GRANDMA'S HOUSE!!! Sorry Papa I know it's your house too : ) The kids were so excited to take an airplane ride! They were NOT as excited to wait in the airport for hours for our very delayed flight. Bailey was freaking OUT she was so excited to get on the plane! During the flight she was sipping out of her sprite (which she rarely drinks) and then her water and saying "Bubbly... <sip>...Not Bubbly...<sip>" back and forth. It was a riot. And then, she sugar and excitement crashed HARD! The kids all slept the last half of the flight and then we were greeted by Papa, Andy & Jenni at the airport!!! We stayed up way too late talking, big shocker, and then woke up the next morning to GO MEET BABY ARI!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! We drove to Brigham City and had lunch with Stef, Kayla, James and CHUBBY CHEEKS!!! I swear she is the cutest thing in the whole world! I could NOT get enough of her! I was tough and didn't cry like a little wussy baby when I held her for the first time... LIES! I couldn't stop the tears!
UTAH! Part 1 Slide Show
http://www.photosnack.com/9EAB95B8B7A/pti4ueaa
We couldn't wait very long to see the other Bowman's so Mike & Sharon met us at our favorite pizza joint, Frederico's. Stef, Micah and the crew came too! We had a blast shooting the breeze and goofing off. The kids just love Mike & Sharon. McKenzie even got to do an uncle mike flip like when she was a toddler. She is WAY to big for that lol. That night we went on a double date with Vive & Giege. It was so fun to be complete idiots and act like little kids. We even hit up Village Idiot (VIllage Inn) for pie at midnight like teenagers. The next morning the sad reality hit... we are WAY too old for that stuff.
Sunday was a wonderful day! We went to church then did what Bowmans do best, relax and eat! We got lots of snuggles with baby Ari, played puzzles, painted nails, colored with Jenni and made treats with Grandma! I SO miss days like this!
Monday was a BIG DAY! Grandma and Papa spoiled us rotten and got us all first class tickets on the Heber Valley Creeper, aka The Polar Express!!! We kept it a secret from the kids and they had NO idea what to expect. It was truly a day that none of us will ever forget! We made some amazing memories together. We got to sing songs with the elves, eat Mrs. Clauses' chocolate chip cookies, drink hot chocolate and we even got a surprise visit from the big man himself! I will never forget the look on the kids' faces when Santa showed up right next to them on the train! THANK YOU Grandma & Papa for an unforgettable time!
Polar Express Slideshow!
http://www.photosnack.com/9EAB95B8B7A/pdciwpnn
Tuesday was Christmas Eve so of course we headed to Mike & Sharon's for some Bowman family tradition! We even got to bring Grandma Buttars along with us! Fun! We got to meet not-so-baby Mack for the first time! Man that kid is SO FLIPPING CUTE! Of course I suck and didn't get any pictures of him : ( We were so happy to see almost everyone in the Bowman clan! We miss everyone like crazy! We had a wonderful night. We ate a ton (shocker!), did crafts, played legos, talked for hours and even played some guitar and sang a bit! McKenzie sang "Dig Two" with me. Not quite sure how everyone felt about my seven-year-old singing "Won't be whiskey, won't be meth, it'll be your name on my last breath" LOL but it was pretty hilarious! Another Christmas Eve Bash at the Bowman's for the history books!
I just LOVE this picture. I stole it from Jenni. I am so grateful for such an incredible family and the opportunity to take a four generation picture of my Bowman boys! Tugs at this mamma's heart strings for sure!
Time to head home to open JENNI JAMMIES and sibling gifts before Santa comes! We read about Jesus' birth and even sang some Christmas songs with Grandma on the piano and Papa singing a solo! Great memories feeling the spirit as a family learning about our Savior!
IT'S CHIRSTMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!
Morning came and 5 out of the 6 grandkiddos were all geared up and ready to open presents at 6:30am. Poor McKenzie was far from it. She caught a stomach bug and was throwing up and sobbing all night long. She kept saying "This is going to be the worst Christmas EVER!" My heart just broke for her. I hate being a mom and not being able to fix things in an instant for my kids. She sucked it up and came up stairs to see what Santa brought. then she snuggled with Grandma, too week to open any other presents and passed out on the couch for hours. SO sad! Santa brought just what the kids wanted as always. Kenz got a new camera, B got Skylanders Swapforce for the wii (that we don't even own lol), and Bailey got "lipstick and nail polish" and was the happiest dang kid on the planet! The kids all got spoiled ROTTEN by Grandma, Papa, Great Grandma Buttars, Stef, Micah, Andy, & Jenni. McKenzie eventually woke up and felt good enough to have her own present opening party since the other kids tore through theirs hours before.
Sooooooo MY favorite present of the day? THIS ONE! A NEW NIECE OR NEPHEW COMING SOON!!! Jenni & Andy gave this to Jim & Juanita for Christmas. They passed it around the room and we were all bawling and jumping up and down and yelling "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!" SO EXCITED!!! They are going to make one cute kid and they will be incredible parents!
Something different this year... Grandma Buttars stayed with us for Christmas! It was so much fun having her there! My kids can't get enough of Great Grandma! She is just amazing! I am so grateful we got to spend so much time with her and that we made some great memories together!
More fun Christmas day pics...
The next day we took off to have some adventures shooting guns & riding the 4-wheeler with the Jensen clan! It was SO FLIPPING COLD but oh so much fun! P.S. Jenni is a Bad A!
Once the adults cleared out it was time for the kids to try out their new toys! Braxton got to shoot his new BB Gun and Kenz got to learn how to shoot her new bow & arrow set! Katniss Everdeen I am not but it sure was fun. Thanks Jensens for a super awesome time!
A huge highlight of our trip was that we got to be there for baby Ari's blessing! Micah's parents held the blessing and luncheon at their house. There were so many people there to support Stef & Micah and their sweet family. It was so wonderful! Ari looked like a little angel! We were so grateful to be a part of such a special day for the Garbanati's!
The whole Bowman Bunch with sweet baby Ariana!
The night before we had to leave we had one last order of business before leaving Cache Valley... We had to Pop some PINS BABY!!! Always a good time Bowman Bowling!
Now it was time to say goodbye. This is always the WORST part of a trip. Heart breaking! We were happy we got to go by the Garbs and hang out and give them one more hug before we got on the plane.
I know this blog post is ridiculously long but can you blame me? We packed SO much fun into this trip. We made so many memories and had an absolutely amazing time. We love you all and miss you like crazy. Thank you for making this one of the best Christmas weeks EVER!!!
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