Utah, Part 4: It Can't Be Perfect

Cory and Kristen graciously offered to keep Owen back with us while we skied on Christmas Eve.  Initially, I wanted him to come so he would not be disappointed, but they assured us he would have a great day.  No empty promises here!  The day was a dream for O.  Daylight Donuts to kick things off:

Owen called her "Kristen Kristen" for the first time, and her response was, "Finally!"  It is hard to compete with Uncle Cory Cory, but Kristen has tried from the beginning and he loves her for it.

Next were the heroics: taking Owen skiing down a sled hill which involved all the awkward gear without the perks of a magic carpet or gondola.

Cory, training for a Spartan:

When we arrived at Brighton, Brady took Kate with him initially and I went up the lift with Zachary.  Zac snowboarded down easily and it was fun to see him in action.  Sadly, the ski boot situation didn't work for me and I needed to change out my gear after skiing down in pain.  I went to the rentals area and agreed to send Zac back up to meet cousins.  I was anxious about sending him off but he was excited and he had already spent a day snowboarding with cousins and without an adult.

Kate, Brady and I went up the Majestic lift together, planning to meet up with Zac.  Halfway up the lift, Rach called and said, "Karen, Zac is hurt.  Like, really hurt.  He says he hurt his shoulder and can't move."  They found ski patrol and we continued without choice on the world's slowest gondola.  We were so grateful to Rachel, Elise and Walker for tracking down ski patrol and staying with Zac.  Initially, they figured he fell and would shake it off but Zachary was adamant that he could not snowboard down and something was very wrong.  They said the patrol were stern with them and Zachary reported it felt like the longest time laying in the snow before he was in the medical hut.

Brady met them when Zac arrived.  We all hoped it was a dislocated shoulder.

Nope.

The medical care received was outstanding--an xray, orthopedist on site, and a block injected for pain.  We were quickly in touch with our good friend/orthopedic doctor who sent Zac's X-ray to 4 orthopedic colleagues to ask opinions on surgery vs no surgery.  The doctor on site thought it could go either way, but Derek and the other 4 doctors argued against surgery unless there was no visible improvement the following week.  Brady took Zachary back to Highland, stopping for his pain pills.

Meanwhile, Kate and I felt terribly about Zachary but also had pricy lift tickets and gear, so we finished off much of the day.  She made major strides from the first ski session, and looked so comfortable and graceful within a few runs.  I was so proud of her for summoning up the courage to go for it, especially knowing it ended badly for her brother.

We returned late afternoon and spent the evening with family.  Cory and Kristen made Zac a candy bar poster, and my favorite addition was the bread they put at the end.  Zac's food groups: bread, rolls, and cereal.

Notice Mom's crutches.  She broke her pelvis and ribs in a fall.  It was a rough week for bones in the Edwards family.

Mama/Daughter Cinnamon roll prep:

We played dance games and ate salmon bowls, read Luke 2 and sang Christmas carols around Elise on the keys.  

Zachary had a brave face and even smiles but when the block wore off, he was ready for a pain pill and pillow.

Lucky for me and Brady. Cory and Kristen assembled a full itinerary for us over Christmas break, and managed to schedule plenty of wrapping so that when we all felt like this on Christmas Eve, we could just go to bed:

Cory demonstrated how to spread out presents to make it more picturesque.  It is hard to make the presents I wrapped look pretty: Target paper < Costco paper, and my presents looked wrapped by Roxy.

The kids all slept downstairs per tradition.  Around 4am, Elise came in and told us that Kate started vomiting.  We were awake the rest of the night as she slept in our room and ran to the toilet.  When it was time to bring the kids upstairs for Christmas, I knew my stomach was not sympathy pains and I got in on the bathroom action, too.  Glad these photos were taken and certainly not by me.

Everyone older than 6 in this photo is groaning inside, wondering when their tummies will hurt. too.

Stockings and Easy Cheese before church!

The next few hours were rough.  Kate stopped counting her trips to the toilet at 22.  Neither of us could settle enough to sleep and we were pretty miserable.

After church, Brady brought Kate her stocking.  She felt sorry for herself and that's completely allowed for a puking kid on Christmas.

I tried and failed to watch gift opening, and ended up watching some by FaceTime.  Kate's reaction to her headphones and the smile on her pale face makes me so happy.

Everyone took off for Heber in the early afternoon, and Kate and I were finally settled enough to actually sleep.  We both slept most of the day.  Owen took his mid-afternoon vacation snooze, too.

Merry Christmas!  Kristen noted that she prefers Christmas Eve over Christmas Day, and I agree.  It was a lovely Christmas Eve (plus a major mishap for Z), and even though I was in bed with this little lady all day, I felt grateful and loved.