Merry Christmas

Why is it that men don't like to get their pictures taken? Why is it that when you are in the middle of getting said pictures taken do your children go into laughing attacks? These were my questions last week when we did our family pictures!

Most of you know that we don't get family pictures taken too often (Gareth HATES getting pictures done), so why is it that when you do go get them, everyone is off their rockers? Shouldn't we just be able to sit still for 5 minutes and smile normal?

Well, not us Ewells. The boys were on the verge of peeing their pants from laughing so hard. Gareth had his "Are we done yet" smile on his face, and I was just trying to stay still and not slide down the hill from all the leaves!

So, needless to say half our pictures are "black mail if you make mom mad" pictures, but we did seem to actually get some good ones!

A big "Thank You" to my friend/photographer Kari for having enough patience to deal with my crazy family.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!

I wanna go back where it's WARM!!!!

So, I know that you are all having Ewell Blog withdrawls, lol - So, I thought I would give you all an update on our Christmas Vacation in Can Cun!!!

It started out on the drive to Vegas, Kari- being the wonderful friend that she is, was nice enough to drive us down, so we didn't have to leave our car in Vegas. (Thank you Kari) As we were driving, Gareth's dad called and wanted to meet up to have dinner so he could give the boys their Christmas presents. Well, he decided that we would all meet at In & Out Burger. Kari, not really a fan of In & Out told Gareth that there was a Hooters close by and that we should eat there. Well, Cadyn asked "What is Hooters?"- I thought Kari was going to have a heart attack! Then out of the blue, Eastyn- My sweet little Eastyn whispered to Cadyn "Boobies", LOL.... I thought we were all going to pee our pants!!!

Well, the following morning, around 3:45am, we got on the shuttle to the airport. Here is a picture of the boys, yeah they were excited (can't you tell?)...
We got on the plane- Gareth & Cadyn in one row, and Eastyn and I in another. Eastyn didn't look to good. He was very nervous and I was just praying that he didn't throw up! To my delight, he made it through the first flight without any problems. Good job Easty! When we landed in Denver we met up with my sister and Leesa, to board the next plane to get to Mexico.

We finally landed in Mexico around 4:00Pm... Here is a picture of the boys outside the Can Cun airport.
When we got to the resort, we decided to just walk around and find out where everything was, and just get the lay of the land. Over the next week, we played Sand Volleyball, Football, Swam, hung out with our new friends, went on a pirate cruise and just enjoyed spending time with eachother.

Here are some more pictures for your enjoyment











Well, the day that we left, was a very interesting day! We were rear-ended on the way to the airport, our flight from Denver to Vegas was canceled due to McCarran Airport being closed for SNOW, yes you heard me right.... Snow!!!!! We had to get a hotel and the following day we spent 13 hours at the Denver airport waiting for our flight.... Super Fun!!!! (A big thanks to Jeff & Brandi for picking us up at 3 in the morning!)

We did it.!!!!!

We did it.... We finally broke down and told our boys that we were not going to Six Flags for Christmas.

Here is how the conversation went.

Mom: Boys, we need to talk to you.
Boys: Ok, what?
Mom: We need to cancel our Six Flags Trip.
Boys: WHAT? THAT'S NOT FAIR...... WE HAVE WAITED ALL YEAR!!!!!
Mom: I am not finished yet.
Dad: The reason we are canceling our Six Flags trip is because we were never going to Six Flags....
Mom: We are going to Cancun for Christmas!!!!
Boys: What? What? Where are we going?
Mom & Dad: CANCUN BOYS!!!!
Boys: YES..... That is so awesome. We can order something at the swim up bar, (laughing)....


Yes, The boys finally know that we have been horrible parents and have lied to them. But, in the long run, I personally think it was well worth it. To see their faces so disappointed, and in a second be so overwhelmed. It was worth it.

So, to all of you that have tried so hard not to spoil the fun, they now know!!! You are all off the hook!!!!!

We will be taking lots of pictures, so expect a fantastic blog around the 18th!!!! We love you all.....

Thanksgiving

A couple of weeks ago, I got a phone call from one of my cousins from up in Salt Lake, asking what we were doing for Thanksgiving. I quickly responded "Staying home" (which looking back really wasn't the case, I was actually going to La Verkin, but hey- it's not really going out of town either), tis his response was classic.... "Well, mom isn't going to be home, so can we come to your house and you can cook us Thanksgiving dinner?".

It was the funniest thing, and since I don't get to see my cousins all that much, I gladly agreed to cook for them. So, here I am- on a mission to make sure that they get a fabulous dinner, with all the trimmings that they are used to.

Well, Brandon called me last Monday and told me that he wasn't going to be making it into town until Thursday night, and asked if it would be alright if we ate a little later then normal, once again, not a big deal.... Then he mentioned that he was bringing Boston, who helps him on the road. Ok, what's one more person right?

So, on Wednesday night, I am expecting Jontae and Cody to get into town around 9:30ish, 10:00 at the latest. Gareth goes over to McGee's house to play poker, I am at home with the boys making my potatoe salad, and pumpkin pies. I get a phone call around 10:00 from Cody, saying that they are going to be late, because they stopped to eat, ok- midnight, still not bad right? WRONG...... They rolled into my driveway at 2:30AM (yeah, they ate dinner in SLC, and hadn't left town yet) LOL.

Well, when all was said and done, we had a fabulous dinner, the turkey was moist, the potatoes were smooth, the gravy to die for (thanks Jonny) and the pumpkin pies were eaten!!!!

So, to my house guests, Brandon, Boston, Cody & Jontae (let's not forget about the 2 pitbulls that were at my house also... Smash & Sox)....

Thank you for sharing the holiday with our family, and we hope to see you soon!!!!!

We Love You

Think about this and don't hurt yourself!

Ok Kari! Are you happy now???? LOL.... I didn't start the blog with "As I sit here".

So, my crazy brain was thinking about Christmas (UGH...) and I wanted to tell you all about the phone conversation I had with my mother-in-law yesterday.

As most of you know, we are taking a family vacation for Christmas. We are going to give the boys their "present" when we get to where we are going. Well, yesterday I informed Stacey that we were not going to be putting up a tree this year, as we are celebrating Christmas on our trip.....

Well, needless to say, she was not happy about this decision. She said that she was going to get with Kari, and they were going to decorate my house and put up the tree while we are gone.

So, here is my question..... Who else is going to help decorate? LMAO

It's not that we are being total scrooges, but- wouldn't that be harder for the boys to have a Christmas tree in the house, knowing that they already got their gifts? I don't know... So, I am asking for advice (yes, me Holly, is asking for advice- Crazy I know)!

Hurry though.... We only have 14 days before we leave!