CHRISTMAS M I R A C L E

As September and October came around we were debating on whether or not we should buy plane tickets to go home for the holidays. We both missed our families back home and we wanted to share that beautiful time of year with all of them. And of course it's not Christmas without snow, right? On the flip side though. . . this would probably be our only chance to spend the holidays in Hawaii and to play on the beach during Christmas Day. We had talked to some good friends who had stayed here over Christmas and they told us their experience. Basically, they said it was hard being away from "home", however, they had a blast and enjoyed it here with friends. So, they recommend to us to just stay here. By that point we had convinced ourselves that a Hawaiian Christmas would be awesome! So, instead of buying plane tickets home we bought a car instead.

Now, once Thanksgiving hit and the Christmas music started to play and pictures were being posted all over Facebook of Christmas decorations back home and hearing of family parties... it started to really hit us that we weren't going "home". I'd say I was getting a little more depressed about the situation than Cam, but I knew we had already made our decision to stay and we were in Hawaii!!!!!! How could I have possibly been that sad, right? Haha, well as it got closer to Christmas both of our parents would call and say how much they missed us and wish we would be coming home. At one point, our moms called each other to try and figure out a way out that they could get us home. How precious, right? Eventually Cindy (Cam's mom) kept offering to Cam that she'd just buy us plane tickets but we kept declining and couldn't let her do that for us!

Then, about two in a half weeks before Christmas I had one huge break down. Now, if you know me I'm not the type of person to show my emotions that often, let alone cry. But that night I couldn't hold it in any longer, I was so "home sick". Cam pulled me into his chest and just held me in his arms and told me it's fine to cry. He kept telling me that we could make it work to go "home" if I really wanted to. But I kept saying no, no, and that I wanted to stay. 

Well, the next morning came around and Cindy just so happened to call Cam again to ask if she could fly us home. . . coincidence? Possibly, haha but after the incident the night before I don't think Cam could say no. He gave in, WE gave in. Cam found flights into Vegas with Allegiant Air for a relatively good price and booked them. I started to feel like a brat because I broke down on Cam and of course he was going to do everything he could to make me happy. However, I was so grateful to go "home" for the holidays and couldn't wait for our flight that following week. I was so incredibly grateful for not only the man I married who takes care of me like his most prized possession, but for his amazing mother who raised him and all that she does for us.
After we got our plane tickets, we decided to keep it a huge surprise. The only other person that knew we were coming home was Papa Ralphy. I had to tell him to make it easier to coordinate surprising everyone, also I knew he wouldn't tell anyone. ;)
We flew into Vegas super late on the 23rd, rented a car and headed to Utah. We arrived at Cam's parents home early Christmas Eve and spent the whole day with Crumps. That evening all of Cam's family was over and it was so great seeing everyone and surprising all the little ones. It's always chaos with all of the nephews and nieces but it's such a fun time.
 Now on Christmas Day, my family has always gone to a million family members homes in that one day. So what happens is we start at my parents, obviously, then we go to my aunt and uncles for breakfast, then go to one set of grandparents, make it over to both of my great-grandmas, and then finish and my other grandparents home. And then this year, me and Cam went to his parents home as well! So, it was quite the day! Each house we went to we were able to surprise all those family members. It was a day full of surprises and so great to see everyone's reactions. One of my grandma's cried when I walked in the door and the other one just looked at me for a good four seconds when I jumped in front of her. Haha she couldn't piece together that it was me standing in front of her because I was suppose to be in Hawaii, haha!
(Once I figure out how to post videos, I'll share the fun with you all.)
After the surprising was over and Christmas Day came to an end, we felt so blessed and grateful for all of our amazing families! They mean the world to us and couldn't have been happier to spend the holiday with them.
We stayed in Utah for the following week and had every minute of every day filled with spending time with family and friends. It was one busy, exciting week with great people! All of you who are reading this who made time to see me and Cam, we thank you and love you all so much! We wouldn't know what to do with out you all. And a big thank you to Cindy for letting our Christmas Miracle happen (:

2013 Christmas Day
Left to right: me, Cam, Quincy, Chase, Mamma, Papa Ralphy, Meme, Hunter, Maddy