Home for the Holidays.

I promise I will eventually get better with this whole blog thing!

Now, for another much needed update:

We decided to come back to Memphis for the holidays for a rather lengthy visit, for a number of reasons: 1. Our family would have all but disowned us if we did not. 2. Who knows when we will get a chance to come back next. 3. It doubled the price of our flights if we tried to just come for a short visit. 4. We're so close with our family, being around them and our friends during this time (while we can) just makes sense, this being our first holiday season without Nick... :(

Of course, we had to start things out right with Sydney getting sick. Nothing spells home like illness from travel and the change of environment. Ironically, after 3 years of never once having an ear infection (I clearly bragged too much about that;), Sydney had double ear infections upon our arrival.

Our first weekend back to Memphis we had my niece Lillian's 1st birthday, and my 2nd cousins' Scout and Carter's 2nd birthdays. I could not believe how big they all had already gotten just since we left! Next came Thanksgiving. We had our huge Allen Thanksgiving as usual at our Unlce Ira and Aunt Robyns, and it just did not feel the same without Nick there. We were also able to visit with my Aunt Jenny, Uncle Brandon, and the boys, and my Granny and Pip in town from Florida. Then, we had Sydney's 3rd birthday! It was a blast! 41 people came:) She behaved well and was so good at telling everyone thank you for their present. After many had left, she watched Nick's United Through Reading DVD again that he made for her, and we also watched a DVD of Steven and Nick growing up that they made one year for Kim's Christmas present. It was a tear-jerker like no other! :)

Other happenings thus far have included a fun trip to Arkansas to our friend's cabin for some trail riding, a wonderful visit from a friend of Nick and mine, Jared, who is on an adventure around the world it seems, some snow, taking Sydney to see various Christmas lights and to see Santa Claus, taking Sydney to the circus with our friends Tyler and Richard, and of course, going to the Bellevue Singing Christmas Tree. We also had a great time staying over at Papaw, Nana, and Kim's (Nick's grandparents and mom) house for a week, taking Sydney to the carousel and Disney store at the mall, taking her to the movies to see "Tangled", taking her to Starry Nights twice, church with them, more spoiling of Sydney, and just relaxing and having a great time spending some days together.

I've been keeping up with my workouts using our YMCA membership at the Millington Y, helping around my parent's house, getting cards and gifts ready for Christmas, taking care of a testy toddler, and trying to see friends and family when I can, by the time every one gets home from work and I can make the trek from Shelby Forest! I sure miss my 3 to 15 min drives I make in San Diego, these 40 min ones are not fun!
Nick and I have been able to talk every day, and Video Chat a lot as well so that has been great. He goes to Dubai soon and will have a few days of liberty, so I am excited he will finally get to relax and have some fun! As MWR Officer being one of his collateral duties, he's lined up some fun stuff for them to do.
.........Now if I can just cram as MANY more visits with friends and family in these next 2 and a half weeks, then I'd say it's been a pretty great trip! =)