I flew out to Utah a week before Ryan got out of school to spend extra time with my family, leaving Ryan to his studies. Poor Ryan was without his perfect wife (yes, that's me in case you were wondering;) and his adorable little boy for an entire week. He was sad, but I kept telling him that he was finally going to have an entire week nag-free! Luckily his awesome parents took care of him while we were gone. They fed him burgers and pizza all week to help him feel better. He works so hard in school and we're so proud of him. Even though school is really stressful, he always makes time for Brax and me so I'm really grateful.
The first week home I had sleepovers with my favorite sis in the world! It was so fun, except when she whipped out my journal from high school and harassed me. She had all the ridiculous and embarrassing passages (mainly about loser boys) marked and ready to remind me of my young stupidity. She read some to Ry and I about died! Was I really that retarded??? All my high school friends reading this...you are probably laughing right now because you witnessed it firsthand (we were ridiculous human beings). I guess it was a service to my sister. She says she now knows what NOT to do. hahaha She seemed to have missed all the spiritual and mature passages that were also in there:) Oh well!
My family kind of wanted to see me, but really it was all about Braxton! The first night I got there, he was laughing and smiling all night long. He loves being with lots of people, especially when he's in the spotlight. Yep, he definitely takes after his father. My family was in heaven (especially my mom). She spoiled him rotten! She climbed the top of Braxton's list by giving him little tastes of ice cream, chocolate, and the list goes on. Grandma taught him all sorts of bad tricks (j/k mom.... I love you). But really, it was nice being with my mom because she helped me relax a bit and think more about Brax than my little schedule. I guess you could say I'm one of those paranoid first-time moms that is learning to relax:). Brax is eight months now, always wanting to eat whatever we are eating. He has learned how to feed himself and he grabs the spoon from me all the time. He is definitely a spit fire, but all that personality is so much fun!
Here's some highlights from our trip...
Braxton's first plane ride! He did pretty well. Luckily one of Ryan's good friends, Tim Hansen, randomly ended up on the same flight as me. He sat by us and helped me with my luggage! He was in Dallas for an interview and we have since found out that he got the internship. Congrats Tim!
Went to lunch with some of my favorite girls in the world! I'm so sad because I forgot to get pics when I saw the rest of my best pals. So this is a shout-out to my girls who aren't in the pic... you know who you are:)
Hanging out at Grandpa Park's house.
Brax with his Aunt Madi (Ry's sister).
We celebrated 3 years of marriage on Dec. 20th. Ry continues to make me a better person, and he's perfect for me. It's crazy how two people come together and become one over time. I've become more like him, and him more like me... which is a good thing most of the time. It was our first night away from Brax (thanks mom) and he did great! We went to dinner, roller skating, IMAX, and then the Hilton downtown! We told the guy at the front desk it was our anniversary and he sent up a slice of cheesecake, a slice of chocolate cake, and Martinelli's! It was awesome. Not to mention that cheesecake is my favorite and chocolate is Ry's. 
We went to The Park Cafe for breakfast in Salt Lake. It was by far my favorite breakfast place. The food was yummy and I loved the decor. All my fellow Utahns need to check it out!
Playing with Grandpa. Brax was always ripping off people's glasses. 
Skeptical of his great grandma... I think it's the white hair. 
First encounter with Santa at the Thorpe family Christmas party.
Loves the bag...
Hates the bag.
Brax met his great grandma and grandpa White for the first time!
Two peas in a pod.
Christmas Eve in our new J's. 
Christmas Day! Just look at those cute little reindeer feet! He loved this walker.
Opening presents. 
We got to see Brandon and Lindsey Anderson, and their little boy, Grant! Linds is one of my good friends and we lived together at (the one and only) Liberty Square.
Braxton and Grant. 
Brax and his second cousin, Hudson. We spent the night with Randy and Marissa Brown (Ry's cousin and his wife) at Marissa's grandpa's cabin. Brax and Hudson had a great time.... until they both got sick and kept us up all night! 
Randy and Marissa took us to Fleming's Steakhouse downtown! It was AMAZING. I love steak, and this was definitely the best steak I've had. We had a lot fun with the Brown's. They were so nice to take us poor, low-class citizens out on the town for a great meal. We had a night out alone without our kids. It was refreshing be able to eat in peace. I got the Prime New York Strip.... so good! Ry got the Filet, but ordered it medium-well (no good;).
Just look at those steaks...mmm
We saw our good friends, Tim and Anna, who aren't dating but I think they should be. This is the Tim who was on the flight with me! We all hung out at BYU. Tim is Ryan's freshman buddy, and Anna is mine. 
I almost forgot to mention that Brax took his first trip to the ER while we were in town. They only had a big bed for him. I just had to take a picture because it was too cute. The last week in Utah he got a really bad fever and ear infection:( After five days of a fever, we took him in on Saturday morning and got antibiotics. He just loved spitting the bright pink medicine all over whoever dared give it to him. Luckily Dr. Ryan got really good at it;) It was a great Christmas break! We didn't want to come home. I felt like I had my husband back because he didn't have any school or studying to do. So thankful for all of our wonderful family and friends. Christmas is the best time of year, and I must mention the reason for the season, our Savior. I know He lives and loves us. So thankful for his atonement and all of our many blessings this year!
