Christmas and New Years!

Christmas Time was spent with our Families up in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and Spokane, Washington! The trips and visits home were very much needed! 

The journey first started out with me flying to Coeur d'Alene on the 19th! Thanks to my wonderful in-laws they had paid for my flight home, so a 30 week pregnant woman would not have to make the 27 hour drive from Bakersfield to Idaho. 

Don had flown to Burbank where Brad met him there and they traveled up to Idaho in our very packed tacoma truck! Sadly the roads weren't the greatest for them but they were able to make a pit stop in Logan, Utah to see Megan and her family and then headed to Rexburg to switch vehicles with Brian and pick him up from taking his last final. They arrived very late to Coeur d'Alene on Friday night (20th). 

On Saturday afternoon (the 21st), Brad's Aunt and Uncle and their 3 kids traveled from Renton, Washington to Coeur d'Alene to spend the holidays with us! It was so fun to have young ones around and in the spirit of Christmas. 

Sunday we had a wonderful Christmas program in the Hayden 1st ward. Heather and Carmen both sang in the Choir. Hearing the Christmas hymns that day really had me reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Later that night we were greeted with the Achievement Day girls and their leader, Sister Curtis for some Caroling. They sang some really cute songs! 

Monday and most of Tuesday were spent up at Schweitzer Mountain for the Duffy's to get their skiing in. Marcie, Eric, the kids and I stayed in the Cabin and stayed warm! 

Tuesday afternoon we headed back to the Duffy's and started in with the Christmas Eve traditions. 

Brooklyn, Troy and Savannah decorated this gingerbread house!

Marcie, Heather and I slaved away in the Kitchen. Marcie was making her famous sugar cookies, Heather made several batches of her famous rolls, and I was put to work on the snacking spread, the ham, and clam dip! 

After our dinner feast we took some family pictures and had our Christmas program

At 31 weeks pregnant!

Brian, Heather, Carmen, Marcie, Brad, Savannah, Eric
Brooklyn, Troy, and Katelyn

We ended the night with doing the Nativity. Brian and I were Shepherds, Brad was Joseph, Brooklyn was Mary, Carmen was an angel, Troy was the Star and Savannah was a wise man. 

Sadly most of the family got a stomach bug that night so we had some very weak and sick people Christmas Morning. Brad and I were feeling great and were excited to wake up to this beautiful changing table that Don made! 

We quickly opened gifts and got ready to talk to Shaun. 

Shaun is doing awesome! He is serving his mission in Texas! The family had a wonderful time visiting and hearing of his success and joy in serving his Mission. 

That afternoon we headed to Spokane and spent time with my parents, grandma, aunt and uncle, and my brother, sister in-law and niece. 

We had a delicious dinner and had lots of family time. We also exchanged gifts and had a few surprises! I got a new Camera and Brad got a Russell Wilson Jersey! 

(My parents have all of the pictures from that gift exchange!)

On December 27th was my Dad's Birthday! 

We had bought my Dad some new bird seed so Quinn was helping Papa feed the birds!

She was so happy and proud to be helping! She knew exactly what she was doing too! 

She would turn around and wave to us who were keeping warm in the house! She wanted to make sure she had an audience! 

She is such a cheese ball! I love her so much! 

Later that afternoon we spent time Bowling!

 Ken the coach! 

Quinn had a blast! 

Look at that Form! 

The girls! 

Love this guy!

Quinn munched on some fries while cheering us all on! 

The whole group! 

Brad, Katelyn, McKensie, Quinn, Jeremy, Mom, Dad

 We went to dinner at Thai Bamboo. My family loves Thai Food! We love to get our Thai fix in when we are in town! After dinner we headed home to open presents! Q was a big help!!

New Gonzaga Sweatshirt!!

 Another gift from my mom was this beautiful bird bath. My dad loves to do photography! He is hoping to get some awesome shots of hummingbirds with this. Of course we had to try it out! Quinn loved it! 

Later that evening we went back up to Schweitzer to spend time up at the cabin. Brad wanted to get as much skiing as he could before the break was over!

Carmen and Brad

Heather, Brad, and Don

For the most part they had great skiing conditions! I spent most of my time resting and crocheting Baby Aubrey a blanket. We also finally got around to decorating the christmas cookies! 

On New Years Eve we met my parents down in Sandpoint, ID for dinner! We had a wonderful time visiting and eating delicious food! 

Thanks Mom and Dad! 

Sadly I got sick that evening and wasn't a pleasant evening. Everyone stayed up late to celebrate the New Year and I was in bed trying to keep gatorade and crackers in my system. Luckily the sickness only lasted about 5 hours and I was good as new. Thank goodness because we had a long move to Rexburg ahead of us! 

On the 2nd we headed to Rexburg to move there for our last semester!

 Idaho is where we will be for at least the next four months! 

When we arrived in Rexburg we had lots of help from Brad's co-worker Justin. His wife Katherine was so nice to make us dinner and bring it over. We enjoyed our first meal on some boxes! 

Over the next few days we slowly got settled in and organized. Thank goodness we have a storage unit, or we would be living in a very cluttered apartment with all of our new baby stuff! 

Speaking of Babies, we had a sweet baby nephew be born on January 4th. Nicole, Brad's sister, gave birth to Grant Nathan Cope at 3:24 pm. He is a very healthy boy weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces measuring 20 inches long. We can't wait to meet him! 

Lastly we brought in the New Year with going back to school! January 6, 2014 was our very Last FIRST Day of school. We are very excited to be done! 

33 weeks pregnant! 

Well I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season and have started the New Year off right! Brad and I have been very busy with our new school and work schedule. We have been very blessed too these last few weeks. We have experienced many trials with these last few weeks of pregnancy but with trials comes blessings and miracles. We know the Lord has had a huge hand in our lives and we couldn't be happier! We thank all of you for your love and support and feel your prayers at this time!

Love,

The Duffy's