Christmas and New Years in Jersey

Tom and I just got back from a nice 10-day vacation to the Jesery Shore where we spent Christmas and New Years with Tom's parents and brother, Chris. We arrived with much ease, 2 days before Christmas (not expecting travel to be that easy). We got first class from SLC to Newark, so that was nice. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day with the family, having dinner with the Sabols (they were at our wedding). We ate a lot of good food and cookies (well, Tom ate most of the cookies and I ate the fruit). It seems that I can always trust Jane to bear good fruit - fruit salad that is!

While I was there, I passed the 12-week mark and entered into my 2nd trimester! They say this is the best part. I'll be sure to let you know! The books say Cletus the Fetus is about the size of a small peach now (probably not as round, but just a long). Cletus got "his" first Christmas presents too - a few onesies, toys, a big stuffed duck and a crib! His mom also got the coolest diaper bag - on sale!

For New Years Tom and I planned to head to Times Square with a million other crazies and celebrate with all the hoopla. Come the afternoon of Dec. 31 and nice little snow storm blew in and froze the state solid. With the snow, wind and extreme cold we opted not to go and stand in a crowd for 8 hours where we couldn't leave to eat or use the bathroom. I hope to attend some other year. Instead Tom took me out to movie and pizza. May I say that "Marley & Me" is not just a happy-go-lucky dog movie. Bring some tissues.

So the next day, Jan. 1, 2009, the family went to the local beach to take pictures where I think in the 5 minutes we were outside my face was going to fall off. I think not going to Times Square was a good cawl (Jersey tawlk for "call").

Payton waited paitently at home for us, and was delighted upon our return. She is outside right now with Tom helping him split some logs for the fire. She's such a daddy's girl.

On our way home, we also got back with much ease, which was also not expected due to all the holiday travel. We are thankful that we were able to get home one time and with such ease. Tom and I will miss the good food, cookies, the shore and the larger bed we had! Ha!

I start school again on Monday and will be done with this term on Jan. 22. After that I head to my externship and I am DONE!