Manning the Post: Home for Christmas

We weren't sure if we would be able to make it home for Christmas this year because of our new jobs and not knowing if Jeff would have to work. Luckily Jeff found out that he would not be scheduled and we booked the cheapest flights home that we could find. Turns out the cheapest way to fly when purchasing tickets somewhat last minute during the holidays is on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

Gotta get a Jamba when traveling.

We flew into Salt Lake City early Christmas Eve morning, thankfully on a direct flight from Boston, and were able to enjoy a fun christmas eve brunch with our dear friends the Stewarts (who live in Provo) and the Roberts (who were in town visiting family). Nate and Caitie picked us up from the airport and we met the Roberts at a nearby Perkins restaurant. Can I just say that I love Perkins. Best breakfast food!

After catching up with our friends, we went back to the airport and hopped on a shuttle headed for Idaho Falls for christmas with Jeff's side of the family!

We got a call from Jeff's mom saying there would be a surprise when we got there. Sure enough, not five minutes after we stepped into the house a hummer limo pulled up to take the family on a christmas lights tour. Such a fun christmas eve memory! The grandkids couldn't contain their excitement.

Jeff and I were dead tired when our heads hit the pillow Christmas Eve night. We had the soundest sleep ever after traveling all morning and being awake nearly 24 hours (we stay up too late when we're with family lol). When we woke up on Christmas morning we were surprised to find a quiet house and untouched stockings. We were the first ones up! I guess we were still on east coast time. But everyone joined us soon enough.

Jenni and Dustin brought their faithful dog Zorro with them. He liked cuddling Jeff's dad.

Best stocking gift ever - world's tiniest tub of Vaseline!

Jack got a new pacifier in his stocking, mustache style.

Very excited about the running shorts his sister gave him.

What could this present be???

The Webbs had a long way to travel home for Christmas as well. So glad they could make it to IF!

While we were in town, Jeff and our brother in law Joe got to play in the Idaho Falls Christmas Soccer Tournament. Their team was made up of a bunch of guys who were home for the holiday, so they had never played as a team before, but they were all really good. It was fun to watch them!

Two of our nieces have birthdays in December, and they wanted a dog themed party. Jeff's sister Mindy has an awesome birthday cake book and she found a recipe for pup-cakes. I was pretty sure I would not be able to make a cupcake look anything like a dog when I saw the recipe, but Jeff's sisters and I each took one puppy design and worked in the kitchen rolling out tootsie rolls, cutting jelly beans, and frosting cupcakes and one sticky mess later we had some pretty good pupcakes! They were good enough for the birthday girls anyway.

Almost too cute to eat!

It's not often that the whole Manning family is together at the same time, and Jeff's parents wanted to take advantage of this by getting family pictures taken while everyone was in town. Getting six kids under the age of five all smiling in the same frame is no small feat, but we had a great photographer who got the job done. We're excited to have some new pictures for our walls at home!

The day after christmas my side of the family drove up from Boise and met us in Idaho Falls for a fun day together. We had lunch at Garcias (one of the best mexican restaurants) and then spent the afternoon bowling, strolling around the mall, and just having fun together. I was so glad we could see them!