Christmas 2015 was a "Merrick" Christmas.  We arrived the Tuesday evening before Christmas and had the pleasure of spending 5.5 days with Lee's family.  Unfortunately it was spread across two different destinations so we didn't get a full five days with anyone - but we did get time with EVERYONE! We don't get The boys to see much of the Merricks and so we loved the time we had together.

Rochelle and Zach took a couple days off work and drove over to Twin Falls the day after we arrived so we could have 24 hours all together.  The kids love being with each other and this year we had a blast watching them play "Pie Face".  This must be a new game that has recently launched into popularity with kids. If you have kids and aren't familiar with it - you need to be.   Watching their facial expressions, uncertain as to if they were going to get whipped cream in the face was hysterical!  Sooo much fun.  Cookie Decorating

The Adams family had to leave before lunch on Christmas Eve day, but the rest of the kids hung out with me and we made oodles of sugar cookies which were frosted and decorated that night after dinner.  We were really lucky this trip that Cole, Connor. Aubrey and Whitney were able so spend so much time with us.  We got a date night (dinner and a movie - Star Wars!) together, they hung out with us and the kids AND they spent Christmas Eve at Karlette's house.  We loved having so many of us on Christmas morning together.    

Christmas day was also really lovely.  Bryce, Elaine and the kids came over for a few hours as did Lee's grandparents, Aunt and Uncle and cousins.  It was really fun to get in visits and time with everyone.  The day after Christmas we headed over to Boise by way of Bruneau.  We wanted to stop in and see Lee's other grandparents - as well as his Aunt and Uncle and lots of other cousins.  We arrived in time for their family's traditional Boxing Day lunch and it was super great to see everyone.   We then headed into Boise where we met up with the Adams, and then Cole, Connor, Aubrey and Whitney joined us and we went to a Steelheads hockey game.  It was the twins first hockey game and they seemed to have a lot of fun -we all did.  Zach and Rochelle then hosted all of us and we enjoyed more conversation that night as well as a big breakfast together in the morning before the Cole, Connor, Aubrey and Whitney had to head out.

The Tape Tunnel Lee and I were able to then stay another 24 hours with Rochelle and the boys.  We so enjoy those twins and had tons of fun playing games, building out their hot wheels track and even taking them to the Discovery Center.  The days in Idaho just flew by!  We so love being able to spend time with the Merrick crew and the kiddos. We wish it happened more often!  

Pictures of our Christmas (and a lot of Pie Face) are here.