Sunday, January 11, 2015

Christmas in Utah 2014

I spent a most wonderful 2 weeks in Utah with Mr. Wonderful and our son and daughter-in-law and the 5 grands.  It was loud and funny and loving and a truly amazing holiday season. I would not trade it for the world.   Here is Christmas morning, before the explosion of paper and boxes and ribbons and tags occurred. 
 Each year the Knotwells West have a family picture taken. This year, young John set the camera and Big John pushed the button.  This is my incredible family.  I am so proud of each of them.  The parents are an unbeatable team who are raising such caring, loving, smart and funny people.  The kids are so funny and smart and silly and I adore them!


 
Emily and Charlotte....two lovely young ladies. Both are fabulous big sisters to the boys and baby C. 

 William and Hewston...my two goofballs.  Really, they are so imaginative at play and quick-witted.  
 I got a haircut while I was in Utah...not that I needed to wait to get one there, it just happened that I hadn't had a cut and style in over a year and John made arrangements for me to get one while I was there.  Then, Young John agreed to do a 'photo shoot' since John and I hadn't had photos taken in several years.  The temps were hovering in the teens but he managed to get several really good shots.  This is my most favorite one of the two of us.  And below is my favorite one of Big John...that is the man that I fell in love with and have held up as my Hero for the last 43 years!
 Okay, here is the one of me that I most like.  A bit of grey, a bit of colour, and a bit of sass from the eyes!  Lordy, it was cold that day!  
While I was there, we went to the movies 3 times (that's 3 times more than I'd been to the movies in the last year).  We saw the 3rd and final Hobbit movie.  I really enjoyed it in spite of not seeing the 2nd one yet.  Then, John and Jill double dated with John and I and after a dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse, we all saw Unbroken.  Several of us had read the book and I must say the Angelina Jolie did a wonderful job of keeping to the book.  Only one spot that she changed - not sure the reason for the change, frankly - but the movie was very well done.  Even Big John liked it and he is the most critical of 'military'- themed movies.  And finally, John and I went to see Mockingjay, part 1.  I had read the trilogy and the 3rd book was the least of my favorites but the movie was much better and neither of us can wait for part 2 to come out.  

Spent my birthday with my family and flew home on the redeye the next evening.  When my final plane landed in Springfield on Sunday, at 9:30 in the morning, we were met with snow flurries....cold and flurries!  So sorry to leave that wonderful family in Utah but so glad to get home to my own bed!  

Hoping all of you have a fabulous 2015.  I'm using this year to clean out cabinets and closets and try to get to a minimal life....wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by.