Vacation so far

Here we are in Utah.  We've been here for almost 2 weeks now, and we'll be leaving in a few more days.  Although our time here is not up, I do not think there will be much (any) time for blogging when we get home since we fly back into Philly on Sunday and then I start school right away on Monday.  So I will tell some about our trip thus far here and update you later on any other exciting happenings.

Once school got out, I had almost a week at home before we flew to Utah.  I honestly am not very sure what I did all that time.  Probably nothing.  And it was great.  Zack continued to work on papers pretty much up until we left.  We flew out on separate flights early in the morning. Since we had to be at the airport so early, and in hopes that we would be able to sleep on the plane, we stayed up all night the night before packing.

Zack hard at work packing.

ShaNae hard at work packing....

My flight was a direct flight from Philly to Salt Lake, and I was in 1st class, which was pretty fun.  Haven't ever sat there before.  I don't much enjoy flying, and the flight was extra long due to some pretty strong winds, so I was so very happy when we finally touched down in Salt Lake. Zack didn't get to fly in luxury like me, and he had a layover in Phoenix, so he got there a couple of hours behind me.  What a good sport.  I got to meet my brother's fiancee for the 1st time when they picked me up from the airport, which was so fun.

The day after we arrived, there was a gigantic snow storm here, which left us wondering why we came.  There was another really huge storm a few days after that too.  Seems as if Philly has been enjoying a little bit better weather than Salt Lake, but we're over it.  We traded good weather for good times with family.  I think it was worth it.

I love Christmas.  It is definitely one of my favorite holidays.  I especially like how it turns into an excuse to visit family.  We had a delightful one this year.  Christmas Eve morning, we got to go to breakfast with some friends and catch up.  I met my friend Maria's second little boy for the 1st time and boy oh boy was he a cutie.  

I spent most of Christmas Eve evening being way sick in bed, but Zack and family had a fun time decorating ginger bread houses.

On Christmas morning, we opened gifts with my family first.  Here is mom and dad opening their 2nd annual photo album chronicling the year.  It was so enjoyable.

After our time with my fam, we traipsed on over to the Noyces for a gift opening with them. Also fabulous.  We made such a haul that we have no idea how we will get it all home in our suitcases.

I can't even tell all the other fun things we've done while we've been here.  We went to a party with some buddies.  We went bowling with my family 

and then went to see my little brother Matthew play hockey.  It was a great game.  His team won, and he even got a penalty.  You go little bro!  

We went to see a movie (I win Christmas and get to pick which movie if we come around next year) with my fam and with Z's fam.  We watched some great movies at home.  I got to see the adorable Poopy again.  

We've eaten WAY too much.  We have shopped our hearts out.  We've spent time with immediate and extended family.  The time has gone way too fast, and I am sure it will continue to do so until we find ourselves in Philly again.  We sure love it there, but it will be sad to leave our families here.

Hope everyone else had a Merry Christmas too.

Love,

and