wonderful new years with the familia

So, after 7 or so months, I finally got to spend a week with my lovely sister Talia, her husband Jeremy, their two most precious children, and my brother Elijah! And what a week it was too!
While mom and dad and Lydia went off to the airport I had to stay at home and tidy the house up and make the beds and all that. Then I sat waiting quite impatiently, jealous of the others getting to spend the extra time with them in the car. :P They finally got to our house around 1 a.m. and then the hugging and kissing and hellos and "I've missed you"s ensued. We stayed up a little while chatting and all and then bedtime! They took over my room so I camped out on Lydia's floor.
Monday and Tuesday were spent mostly just hanging out and we had work in the afternoons(lame). Wednesday we worked in the morning for only two hours, so that was good. Then it was home to get ready to party! :) We three sisters decided before the festivities began we would go get coffee, so we headed to our nearby Starbucks. It claimed it was open until 6, and we there around 5:30 and it was already closed. The other nearby one was also closed. So we drove around and decided to try this Celtic Tavern that was new. Talia went and looked to make sure it wasn't too bar-y for a pregnant woman and two underage girls. We decided what the heck why not. So we walked in and just stood there looking kind of awkward but this waitress came up and we told her our problem and asked if we could get coffee and hot chocolate and she said no problem. So we found a booth and sat down. It was a pretty cool place and it was very decorated for winter and new years. We got our drinks which were very good. Lydia was debating getting some onion rings but they weren't on the menu so we asked our server about it and she said she could make some. We were like woah. But then our dad called, so Lydia was talking to him and she looked confused/worried. And then Jeremy called Talia and she almost looked concerned too. So our server waited till they were off the phones and we told her we had to go, since we had dinner and everything at home. Now we're pretty sure she thought we had some family emergency or something. So she told us it was all taken care of. On the house. We thought that was way too nice, so Talia tipped her pretty good. Definitely an interesting experience. Then we had to go pick up beer for the people at home, so we headed to a liquor store. So a tavern and a liquor store. Quite the new years eve for a pregnant woman and her two underage sisters. Lol!
So we came home and we three sisters took pictures so Lydia and I could use a couple for Talia's Christmas present. We all wore black tops. But man, did we have the hardest time finding a good spot or way to take the picture. We decided we finally had a good one after some silliness. Of course. :P We had some pizza and waited for the Enochs to get there. Once they arrived we all sat around talking, played some pool and played Catch Phrase. I will never get tired of that game. Such a blast! At 10 we went downstairs and watched the ball drop in NY and toasted with champagne! More Catch Phrase, which definitely got funny with people thinking different things and all. And once Lydia and I were so on the same train of thought. She said something about a weird book I knew immediately what she meant and I was right. Weird sister thing I think. Lol. We hung out doing whatever until midnight when we all toasted and sang Auld Lang Syne. We wanted to wait until 1 so we could toast California as well. So we did, along with random music and videos thanks to Elijah. Chris and Rebecca spent the night so they could go with us to the mountains the next day. So off to bed we all went.
Next morning, all 12 of us piled into the Enochs large van and took off to Evergreen hoping for some snow to play in since we didn't have any down in Denver. They barely had any up there either. But we were not aware that the annual Ice Plunge was going on so we stayed around to watch that for a little while. There were like 100 people who all went separately to jump into the freezing cold water. It was kind of interesting since some people got really into it with their costumes. Others just in their swimsuits. Crazy people. We watched all bundled up in our coats and hats and gloves and scarves and such. The little girls were getting bored so we decided to go find some snow. We drove a little ways and found a nice little patch and the girls were thrilled! They even built an adorable little snowman and made snow angels! So cute. :) We were all getting hungry and some had to pee so we decided to head back to Evergreen to find a place to eat. We found this place called Little Bear which someone said was a family restaurant. Not so much. It was very dark and bar-ish( how you liking my new words?? :P) and they had live music and dozens of bras hanging above the stage. What?!? It was pretty weird. But the music and food were pretty good! After that we headed back home.
Later that night, Tyra and Christine and their two children got here!! Brayden had grown oh so much since we had last seen him. He's seriously the chubbiest little boy. So very adorable with his big smiles! :) Friday was our Christmas! We had brunch, including mamosas(mmm. :)) and then we started our present handing out. After seeing those presents under the tree for the past several weeks just tempting us, we finally got to open them! Yay! hehe. It was really fun watching everyone open all their presents, especially the ones from us. I got some pretty good stuff too! Clothes and movies, a necklace, a game. Out of all our family there were 16 DVDs received and 8 games! Goodness. We had our Christmas dinner later that evening. My very good friends, newly engaged(! :P), Carson and Hannah were in town so they came up for dinner and games. After dinner was birthday time! Since it was Elijah's birthday that day and 4 other family birthdays not too far away, we had delicious cake and presents to unwrap.
Saturday was spent just hanging out at home doing whatever. Poor Lydia was sick on the couch all day. :( Sunday we had church twice and we watched Elf later. I finally got to see it! Very hilarious. Got to love Will Ferrell and his humor.
Early Monday morning, we said goodbye to Elijah and Talia and Jeremy. :( Sad day! I really do hate saying goodbye to family. And how I miss them all.
Back to bed for a little while and then off to work that afternoon. The rest of the time Tyra and family were there was spent mostly playing pinochle, definitely a family favorite, and chilling and we watched Iron Man.
Wednesday morning they all left to head home. :( So now the house seems so very empty and quiet. There are times I actually prefer the chaos and bustle and noise of a full house. Maybe it's because it's full of the people I love dearly.
One of the loveliest weeks and new years! Full of love, laughter, talking, silliness, and wonderful family moments and memories. I had a cold for several days which consisted of a constant runny nose and a very manly sounding voice(lol), but other than that it was amazing! :D
My blog wouldn't let me post pictures for some reason, But Lydia has many on hers! And I'll probably post some later, so Jeremy can be in a few. :P
I hope my relaying of the week wasn't too long and rambly for you all.