The Happiest Time of the Year!

CHRISTMAS IS HERE!! This is the best time of the whole year. I just love everything about it, including trying to decorate my house all on my own, which never seems to go well. My mom was a lot better at it than I am, but Rusty and I do our best. :) Tradition in the Powell household is to make a special chip dip and watch Rudolph when you decorate the tree. This is one of my favorite traditions!

We had high hopes for the lights...

but they kept falling down. Haha.

Our Christmas tree!!

We got to go to Idaho for Christmas and spend time with the family. We got there a few days before Christmas and stayed until New Years Day! The very first thing that we did was go straight to Red Robin where everyone was eating and then head over to an outdoor skating rink next to Santa's workshop. This place was so cute, I just loved it. And there was a giant Christmas tree right next to the ice rink! Can't get much better than that. Oh, AND I got to see two of my sisters and their kids. I guess that's the best part :)

Making a wish! Colton's came true. He wished for another quarter... and then found one on the ground.

That handsome fellow (aside from Rusty) is my NEPHEW Colton. I can't believe how big he is!!

My nephew Porter, sister Beckie, and niece Olivia.

One of the nights before Christmas we decided to drive around and look at Christmas lights (one of my favorite holiday traditions). We ended it perfectly by stopping by Merritt's, a lovely, super classy truck stop/diner. Their scones are famous! And for good reason.

This is the very tall hamburger that Rusty and my dad shared.

So, Christmas Eve FINALLY came. I tell you that day is sneaky because it takes FOREVER to get there, but then somehow it still surprises you that it is there already. How does that even work?

This cheese ball is one of the biggest traditions in the Powell household. Our bestest friend Kim always brings it for the Christmas Eve Party! It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without it.

Getting ready! Getting excited! Wooo hooo!

These (semi-creepy) Santa mugs are always a big tradition. They have been a part of the festivities for as long as i can remember.

Dips, dips, dips.

The talent show!

Our glow in the dark dance... I promise it was dark haha. Curse the flash.

The singing of precious songs,

and more songs.

And the reading of The Cajun Night Before Christmas. If you've never heard this beaut, check it out.

Ready for bed with our beautiful tree barrettes so Santa will come!

AND IT'S CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!! :)

My homemade present to Rusty. I drew pictures of things that were important to him and folded them up in a little book.

Rusty's homemade present to me. Lest you get ahead of yourself, it included words like "wench" and "skittle."

So after sleeping, eating, and watching movies for all of Christmas Day, we decided that it would be good to get outside and go for an adventure! So we went out into the middle of nowhere to see a pretty canyon that my dad said we would like. On our way there we saw some cattle crossing the road. I love Idaho. 

This is the Birds of Prey Canyon. It was super pretty!

Then we decided to go to the Kuna Caves. It's just this. A whole in the ground. 

But then, you climb down...

this guy. Into darkness.

Another fun thing that we did over Christmas Break was to go bowling. None of us are stellar bowlers. Actually, none of us are even mediocre. (Except Rusty, but he doesn't count because he is good at everything and I stopped counting those things). So, because we are all less than average bowlers, we came up with a great idea. We brought a giant bag of peanut m&ms to take with us. Before your turn you drew an m&m out. Each color had a specific action associated with it like using your non-dominant hand, spinning three times before bowling, bowl between your legs, or my personal favorite, laying down on the ground and pushing the ball. 

The pictures aren't so great, but the videos are awesome.

We also went snowmobiling over the break. My dad, Matt, Jessica, Rusty and I all went. We drove out past Idaho City to a place where I have never been before. It was a lot of fun to adventure around with my family and to try to become better at snowmobiling. Hey, no flames this time so that is progress. :)

The girls are PUMPED!

And the boys are.. pumped in their own way.

One of the views from a peak we reached.

Another view. This one was reached through much difficulty. I almost died. 

But it's cool.

We drove through Idaho City, a teeny tiny town with about 5 buildings. 

Idaho World anyone?

So Idaho started a great thing. Well, I hope it is a tradition. This is a giant potato that was made to lower from a crane in order to count down to the New Year. I am pleased with my home state and proud to be an Idahoan!

On News Years Eve we also went to the Boise Botanical Gardens and saw beautiful lights and ate cookies and hot chocolate. What a great way to end 2013. :)