Christmas in Canada, New Years Eve with Friends
Christmas in Vancouver
We had a wonderful Christmas break. Chris finished an exhausting week of studying and taking finals and then we were off Vancouver for a relaxing vacation with my family. My WHOLE family was there this year so that made it extra special. Dan just got home from a mission in Taiwan so it was good to see him again and introduce him to RYAN. I can't believe they hadn't met!
Check out those quality cameras we had. And what is Chris doing with a camera?
A brief update on the rest of my family...
DAD (50) is working hard at Atkinson & Terry. He no longer is the Delta Shoppers Office Manager which he is happy about. Now he has more time to focus on his other projects. He still really enjoys going to work so that’s good. He’s also busy with Stake Presidency stuff.
MOM (48) just finished yet another craft sale. She paints all the time and is already planning for the next one. She misses her children and grandchild a ton.
Scott (23) is living it up at BYU. He’s a quiet one... always playing his guitar. He’s really good too. You can never get a lot of information out of Scott but it seems like he’s having fun and dating a little. Rarely a girl interests him enough for a second date.
Dan (21) is heading off to RICKS this semester and then plans to join Scott down at BYU next fall. Scott says he HOPES they’ll room together (if Dan isn’t married that is.) Dan is already dating up a storm. And why shouldn’t he. He’s a cutie. He’s a lot different than Dad and Scott. He’s more willing to open up and talk to you.
Amy (18) is enjoying her first year at RICKS. She enjoys most of her roommates and hangs out with a bunch of guys. She’s gone through a number of crushes and has even had her first kiss (nothing special) but is now interested in a RM!!? She likes telling me all the details. I love it too!
Mike (15) is growing up fast. He’s constantly emailing or talking on the phone with friends. The big events of his life are always the DANCES. I remember those days!!
Brian (10) is still the baby of the family... especially since the rest of us are so much older. His favorite thing is POKEMON and he sure loved it when everyone was home... especially Ryan!
Ryan was the center of attention naturally. He was always being entertained (or entertaining) one of the family. It was a nice break for me!! I got to spend lots of time talking with Amy and mom and playing games with everyone. The four oldest boys... Dad, Chris, Scott and Dan played at least one round of competitive ping-pong DAILY. We also went to the church a couple times to play badminton... we played ROOK, pictionary and other games, did a few puzzles, rented videos (Arlington Road) & (Waking Ned Divine), played some great games of DR. MARIO (I can’t even compete with Amy!) did LOTS of shopping and of course lots of talking and 'remembering' of things we used to do when we were kids. Lots of fun.
Christmas Eve afternoon everyone went to the movie TOY STORY 2. Ryan LOVED it. We brought lots of snacks and drinks to keep him busy but he didn't need anything. He watched the whole thing. Then we headed home for a big traditional Christmas Eve Feast. After dinner is one of my favorite family times. We all sat around in the living room... my mom glanced around and shed a tear of joy... we read from the scriptures, talked about Christmas, and ended up singing about 20 Christmas hymns and festive songs including a few for Ryan. Then... Game Time! Santa had to wait until about 12:00 before we were all nestled snug in our beds.
Christmas morning starts early at the Walton house but 6:30 didn't come early enough for people like my cute husband who couldn't sleep because he was so excited. All my brothers and sisters met in my room (a tradition) and we casually strolled into my parents’ room to "wake" them with our annual "Merry Christmas Mom and Dad" chant. Then the Christmas lineup before our grand entrance into the living room.
We were extremely spoiled this year. My Santa Claus present was new luggage! That was a big surprise! My parents also gave us a sleeping bag and Dutch oven!!, BYU Men’s Chorus CD and $ for a black skirt, gray formal shirt and blue cords. Chris gave me a CORDLESS phone (yahoo!) three cute shirts, and a Celine Dion CD. I gave Chris basketball shoes, a jean shirt and blue cord shirt, piano music and the next ‘Tennis Shoes’ TAPE. We also got a beautiful sweater and BYU soccer shirt from Scott, a beautiful calendar holder & calendar from Dan & Brian, Amy Grant CD and Mary Englebreit daily Calendar from Mike, an Apple Clock and Afterglow CD from Amy, and probably more I’m forgetting. Ryan got spoiled as well. G&G gave him a cute wooden train from IKEA (Santa Claus Present) and a cute shirt. We got him a Little Tyke Paramedic Truck, a musical keyboard, a Pooh tape and a jean shirt and vest. The kids got him toys as well. Now he is spoiled. He had such a great time. He eagerly played with one toy until we pried him away and forced him to open another one. The rest of the day was filled with normal Christmas Day activities. We put together the new TV and VCR that mom and dad got from the Grandparents. Scott played with his new guitar. Dan put together his new stereo. Mike and Brian set up their Nintendo 64. Amy, Mom and I carried around our new cordless phones being very excited. Chris and I laid everything we got on our big bed. It was a lot of stuff. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas breakfast and Christmas dinner.
New Years Eve
We returned home to Maryland in time to celebrate New Years Eve with a Progressive Dinner with our friends. Appetizers at the Seaquists... Main Course at the Carlsons... Dessert at our house... and then we "rang in the new year" at the Chuggs.
A Wonderful night... we played pictionary (words from the last century) and the LIMBO! We toasted the new year with some sparkling apple cider and GRAPES! (a Spanish tradition from Jared’s mission) Now it’s the year 2000! We were somewhat disappointed that we didn't even have a light flicker or anything. Everything is running smoothly so far!
