The most wonderful time of the year

Christmas time! Ryan and I were so excited to head to Utah for the holidays!
Right before we left for Utah we went to my work party. It was a fun party over at Notre Dame with catered food and presents. Fun stuff.

All dressed up for my work party

Ryan had finals the week we left for Utah. In fact he took his last final just a few hours before we left! It was crazy and made things a little stressful but it all worked out. We were so excited to go home and be with our families for the holiday! Here are some highlights from our Christmas break

So fun to see our mountains again!

Oh gosh. Indiana is SO flat. We missed these beauties!

Got to make Christmas cookies with Grandma Harvey
and spend time with grandparents.

My Dad and Ryan went snow biking

Awesome picture of Ryan on the fat tire bike

Ryan also got to go mountain biking in St. George. The only thing he loves as much as me :) 

Look at that cute little girl! Ryan is so good with our nieces and nephews

Sledding on Christmas Eve with Emma, Karli and Danny. 

This is Jennica's class that we got to visit! She is the best 2nd grade teacher!

Reading to some of the kids that I wish were mine :) 

Ry and sweet little Addie

It was so fun to see Carson at his preschool Christmas program

One of my trip highlights!! Going to Tanya Vashenko's wedding reception! This was one of my favorite
families on my mission. It was so heart melting to see them! All the way from Ukraine!

Man did this make me homesick for Ukraine. Sister Maria even gave me me
a bag of home-made Ukrainian goodies to take home. What a sweet sweet lady.
Tanya looked just like a princess. So gorgeous.

The first night in Utah we went with Ryan's family to the Kurt Bestor concert.
Awesome.

Great picture of the Van guys right? This was skiing up at Snowbird

I got this awesome helmet from my in-laws for my b-day. It has built in headphones! It was so fun to use!
My goggles didn't fit with the helmet though... and I didn't realize it until we were already up at the resort...
So Ryan was super nice and traded me. Unfortunately it left him with about an inch and a half gap that made his forehead go completely numb and he was freezing. haha it was hilarious and horribly sad at the same time.
He was so sweet to sacrifice so I could be warm :) Love my husband. 

IN-N-OUT!!

MMMMMMM

At In-N-Out. Ryan met a new friend just by wearing his new ND sweatshirt.
This lady was SO excited to see a fellow domer.  

Ryan and Danny went snowshoeing

Karli got a foot spa for Christmas and was so nice to give me a pedicure!
BEST present she's ever got in my opinion :)
The pedicure included a foot rub, complimentary chocolates and everything. Pretty deluxe 

We tried out a new yummy restaurant- Communal. Really good food!

Ry got me a camera for Christmas! 

I was so surprised! And I cannot wait to start learning
about photography and playing around with it.

Ice skating with Emma, Karli, Ryan and his Mama

Kisses :) 

Brendi took family photos. Isn't she so good?

Man I married such a hottie. LOVE love love love love
love love love love love love love love lovehim.

Going hiking with the family- of course that includes our dogs!

Taking a snow hike up by draper temple. Nasty inversion air.
Lou Lou was a diva and made us carry her the entire second
half but Sundance loved every second of it. 

Emma's first time to the temple!

The temple was crazy busy! Busier than I've EVER seen it!

Love you Emmy! So glad I could be with you at the temple

Ryan got to baptize/confirm us all. It was really neat

I got to see my BFFEEE Brooke! Who just so happens to be with child! :)
So happy for her! Baby boy is coming in May

We got to go down to nice, warm St. George!
The girls went to the temple while the boys went on a bike ride. 

Hiking in St. George

Ryan and his Grandma and Grandpa Van. 

Van Wagoner clan

Got to go out to lunch with my girl Josephine. Miss her!
We always laugh so hard

It was so good to see our nieces and nephews.
Man do we miss them 

We had a wonderful time visiting our family and friends in Utah. We are so blessed that 

we got to stay for so long- three weeks! When we finally did make it back to Indiana, 

this is what welcomed us home... LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of snow.

Um my car is in there...  

Crazy. 

Took us thirty minutes to dig it out.  

So cold that the windshield wiper broke off in the middle of driving.

This is real. The snow pile is actually as tall as a semi. 

Welcome home :)