Christmas Sunday and Hiller Christmas

I loved having Christmas on Sunday this year and celebrating the Savior's birth with beautiful music. All I wanted was to hear some great music and our ward had a piano solo, a piano and cello duet by two young men, and a children's choir. Henry was trying this hardest to get up on the stand for each and every song and I had to chase him down over and over again. It would have been easier to just go out into the foyer and stay there, but I just needed to hear those songs!

We opened presents in the morning, then had Betty, Phil and Leah over for breakfast - sausage, egg and hash brown bake and eggnog french toast casserole with bacon, sausage and Betty's sticky buns. We were stuffed! 

Christmas at the Hillers - December 26th - our second Christmas morning, lucky kids!

Random Holiday Cuteness

Other pics from our visit home to California for Christmas.

Lily and Claire were developing a secret code by flaring their nostrils... but only when they could stop laughing for a minute.

Stephen's Funeral

My 25-year old cousin Stephen, Uncle Grant's six child and first son out of 12 children, was killed by a drunk driver the week before Christmas.  Because of our age difference, I didn't know Stephen very well, and not at all as an adult. He is about 11 years old in my memories, a quirky kid with crazy thick dark hair that was always askew. I was in college and then moving to Las Vegas when he was growing up so I just wasn't around to get to know him when he was older. His funeral was planned for the morning we had planned to drive home, so we of course stayed and I am so glad we could be there with our family.

We went to the grave dedication, where my dad played the bagpipes and my Uncle Grant said the dedicatory prayer. Stephen was buried in the Fair Oaks Cemetary where my grandparents will also be buried someday. It made me realize I have no idea where I would want to be buried or what my parents want to do - so I asked. My mom said she wants to be buried in the Green Valley Cemetery. This may seem weird to talk about but I'd rather know, and I'm mostly writing this down now so I don't forget...

It was good to be with family and to hear about eternal families. I felt weird taking photos at the funeral - is it ok to smile? But I felt happy being with my family and I am always grateful for an opportunity to see my grandparents too.

I picked up this ornament for Matt at the Placerville Hardware store on Main Street for our annual exchange - families are forever!

Trip to Placerville - Christmas 2016

Matty and Alexis were coming to California from Alabama for Christmas Break again this year, and since they would be there the two weeks before Christmas, we decided to go out early too.

We had to wait until after my work Christmas party at the top of the Stratosphere Saturday night - I was the party planner, so there was no way I could miss it.

We left Sunday morning for the 12 hour drive home. Side note - we used to be able to make it in under 10 hours. The more kids we have, the longer and more frequent the stops. Henry was really good on this trip - probably one of our best since he was born.

Monday we went to Apple Hill, though the season is pretty much over and the apples are harvested. A few of the larger orchards stay open until Christmas Eve so we stopped in for some apple doughnuts, a few local food items for gifts, and of course, a caramel apple.

We also went down to Sacramento for Megan's traditional Chinese food dinner -usually she does it on Christmas Eve but we did it early since our family and Matty's would be gone by then. The kids made gingerbread houses and played so well together!

One other Christmas bucket list item - the lights at Dovewood Court down near Sacramento. The cul de sac where everyone has to decorate for Christmas - and they go ALL OUT! I hope they get a break on their power bill somehow because these houses are covered in lights, plus blow ups and snow machines and music!

We also took a stroll down Main Street Placerville after a lunch at Mel's Diner.

One Year Later...

I have admittedly lost some of my drive for weight loss lately, but that is in part because I have lost most of the weight I needed to and am feeling good! And the other part is just dang holiday parties, good food, treats everywhere, and my lack of focus has sparked my "all or nothing" mentality. 

But when I looked at our last year's Christmas card recently, it sort of stopped me in my tracks to see how different we look! I feel so proud of how Matt and I have gotten healthier this year. What a difference a year makes! 

2015

2016

2015

2016

So while I'm not at my goal just yet, I am feeling pretty dang good and am celebrating every victory! 

Holiday Whobilation!

Our ward party had a Whoville/Grinch theme this year and Matt and I were on the committee... only, Matt had to take the CPA exam in St. George that morning, and the committee decided to make the event a breakfast so he wasn't able to be there.

Henry was super clingy and my arm ached from holding him the whole time, but this may have been my favorite ward Christmas party ever! I was so nervous it wouldn't all come together. But we got our Santa, and a bonus Buddy the Elf (our Bishop), the food was great and the decorations and photo booth were amazing!