Since November, it's all been a blur. It started with Travis turning 4-0. That's right, someone is officially OVER the hill and so we celebrated in style with friends & family and finally finished the pool room. We played a little Travis' Top 40 Trivia which surely embarrassed him (oh wait, I forgot that he doesn't get embarrassed), but it was fun and ended with his very own skydive at the Ogden Airport. The skydive was impressive, so impressive that I have vowed to NEVER do anything crazy like that. His family was in town from Boise to see the jump and the worst part is that he now has the itch and 'thinks' he's going back up again!
For Thanksgiving, we took the trek to South Carolina to visit with Travis' Dad and family. It was so nice to be in 65 degree weather and to enjoy the Fall scenery. We took a buggy ride through Charleston, visited family in Rock Hill and loved spending time where Travis' dad is clearing out some land they recently bought just behind their home. Beautiful trees as far as thee eyes could see, cotton fields and strong Southern accents. I hope we get to go back! 
Once we returned from South Carolina, I've been spending most of my evening time at the hospital with my mom. She was admitted the last week of November and just recently moved to a rehab facility on Christmas Eve. It's been a long haul and I think we're all ready for her to move back to her home. She's had pancreatitis with some complications, but she's now on the road to recovery even if it feels like it's been forever.We originally had planned for family to visit from Boise for Christmas, but it ended up just being my brother and us. Travis cooked the turkey and we had all the fixins. I even planned to watch Mia tear into all her presents, but she opened the My Little Ponies first and that was all she could handle. We had to force open a couple and over the past few days following Christmas, we've successfully opened up a present a day. I think there's only 1 or 2 left under the tree. Let's just say, that was not the behavior we were expecting. :)
Our favorite remarks from Mia on Christmas morning were: "Can you get some scissors, please? I need some scissors to open my ponies." Scissors? Are 2 year olds supposed to be asking for scissors? She had some special requests for "pumpkin pie" and when asked to do most things, she responded with, "Sure!" I hope she's just as accommodating when she's a teenager. :)
