Christmas in Spokane

This year we got to spend Christmas with Jason's family in Spokane, Washington. He has one sister who lives near his parents, another sister was visiting from Las Vegas, and his youngest brother was in town from North Dakota. We were only missing Chad! But his mom was happy to at least have the majority home. We flew Jason out a few days early so he could have more time with his family. I flew out a few days before Christmas to spend a total of 10 days with the in laws. It was fun seeing Jason's family traditions, learn even more about their family dynamic, and get to know all of them better. And I got to meet my new nieces!

He's a natural!

Look at that Cabbage Patch face! This is Esmé. Jason's older sister Jandre's first girl and youngest of four.

Nora! Jason's younger sister Kimberlee's first girl and youngest of two.

Such a pretty baby!

We got to continue some of our own traditions as well. My favorite is wrapping each other's presents together while watching Elf. We put a barrier between us so we can't see what the other is wrapping but can still be with each other! Cheesy I know but we're obsessed with each other.

Christmas Eve 

Christmas Day! Wearing my new Nixon beanie from Jase!

Christmas Eve, Jason's dad left at about 4am to drive to Seattle to pick up his newest toy, a Spyder motorcycle. It has two wheels in the front and one in the back so it's safer than most motorcycles. Christmas day he took us each out for a drive. It was pretty fun!

Christmas day we also went shooting! Lots of firsts for me on this trip! My father-in-law is a recently retired State Trooper so we went out to shoot 2 of his service pistols, his service revolver, a shotgun, and a rifle. I wanted my first time shooting to be with someone experienced and familiar with the guns so this was a perfect opportunity.

They don't go to shooting ranges in Spokane, they find their own.

 I got to spend some quality time with my sisters-in-law and mother-in-law while Jason hung out with some friends. We went out to dinner, bringing the nieces along, then went to Jandre's to watch a Chick-Flick. But before the movie we dropped the babies off at home, switched the minivan for the Tesla, and headed to the grocery store for snacks. That's right, we drove a Tesla. Jandre's husband had just bought one a few days prior, but it's a car for his company. We stocked up on clearance Christmas candy and I treated us to chocolate covered potato chips. 

Our last full day there it finally snowed! Now my Christmas was complete! The cold was finally worth it. There are lots of fields near their house so it was neat seeing so much untouched snow. 

Our last night there all the adults went out for Chinese food and bowling. I enjoyed spending my Christmas with Jason's family and being able to get to know them all better and create fun memories with them. 

But after living out of suite cases for almost two weeks and all that snow, home was sounding pretty sweet.