and we were kept most occupied, most occupied indeed, ha ha!

If you know what movie I swiped my title from, then welcome to my world.

We are back in Brooklyn after our Christmas vacation in Provo. We had a lovely time and were kept busy visiting with my family, running around town, and playing drawn-out games of Hearts. Here are a few of highlights of our trip.

Family Photos. We can't all get together and not seize the opportunity to take pictures. They turned out great, I think.

The Annual Christmas Eve Extravaganza. As per tradition, we spent Christmas Eve at my cousin's house in Orem. With the surprise addition of my cousin, Julie, and her family, who came in from Texas, we were all there for the first time in I've forgotten how may years. The clam chowder was consumed, the Nay-tivity was performed (with Blake and I reprising our roles as Joseph and Mary, this time with Caleb as baby Jesus and Garrett as our wandering foster child), the talent show was a success, and so was the dancing. And oh, the dancing. We do the "Merry Christmas Polka," the Charlie Brown Christmas dances, an exercise routine to "Deck the Halls," and, of course, our Nutcracker Dance. This was was its 25th anniversary. It just gets more hilarious every year.



Christmas Morning. We had a small Christmas morning preview before we left so as to ease the weight of gifts in our luggage, but we did leave a few to give each other and the boys on Christmas morning. It was fun stay up past their bedtime to play Santa. Between their gifts from us and other family members, both of them cleaned up nicely. Caleb came away from some awesome infant toys, and Garrett got his very own set of kitchen tools and an apron so now he can be even more helpful when I'm cooking dinner. Give Garrett a fruit snack, and feed him for five minutes, but give Garrett the components of a play kitchen (plus a few Froot Loops), and feed him for much, much longer.

Temple Square. Christmas in Utah wouldn't be complete without a trip to see the lights on Temple Square. As usual, they did not disappoint. Also as usual, it was very cold. Which was one reason why we stopped in the Visitor's Center to watch Luke II. I love that movie, and will never get tired of watching it. Garrett loved the theater experience (his first), and, even though the film is only 5 minutes long, I was so impressed with how well he sat through it, I'm just about ready to take him to a full length feature film. On our way home from Salt Lake City, we stopped at my favorite Baja restaurant, Rubios. You have not lived until you have eaten their fish tacos.

Hanging Out with the Fam. I think the best part of the trip was spending time with my family. We may have overdone it on the games of Hearts, and, as much fun as the Wii is, I think I'm done with virtual bowling. But it was so nice to have my family all together for the holidays. With us in New York, one brother in Colorado, another brother soon moving to Ohio, yet another brother leaving in the next few months on a mission, and a wide open future for my two sisters, it will be a long while before we can again all be under one roof simultaneously. I spent the week soaking up as much time with them as I could get away with. Meanwhile, they were soaking up time with us. With the exception of my mom, no one in my family had yet met Caleb, and it was a lot of fun introducing him. It was also pretty great watching Garrett and his cousin, Henry, get to know each other. By the end of our trip, they were really warming up to each other. Together they de-ornamented the bottom half of the Christmas tree (with Henry's favorite items being the candy canes), played in their new tent, watched Sesame Street clips on YouTube with Grandma, and generally were up to no good. It was great.

A few other items worthy of mention:

• It was worth every penny we spent to let Garrett watch Up on the airplane.
• It's always good to see old friends. Thanks to all who were able to come to open house.
• Garrett's intestinal track does not travel well.
• I would give anything to have a Macey's in Brooklyn. And maybe also a Rubios.
  
• Riley is freaking hilarious. (And obnoxious. But mostly hilarious.)
• In-N-Out is good, but Five Guys is better.
• After a little seating management overseen by Tyler, we all managed to fit around the dining room table for Christmas dinner. I'm pretty sure, though, that the next time we're all together, we won't.
• Two children with a car can be just as difficult as two children without a car.
• Even so, I like -- and miss -- driving on a regular basis.
• Traveling back East does not bode well with bedtime routines.

As you can likely see, we had a wonderful time. It is, however, good to be back home. The remaining days of 2009 will be busy ones at our house, and there will be much to share with you, go goodbye for now, but I'll be back very soon.