Chile & Jamaica

The day after Christmas, Mark, Verla, Brogan, and I headed off to Chile to go visit Brogan's mission. It was a really fun experience. We visited three of Brogan's areas Copiapo, Antofagasta, and Iquique. The people were all so nice. Everywhere you went they would bring you a drink whether you wanted one or not, and they were some of the most generous people I have ever met. Brogan was in heaven the entire trip. He loved being able to be back in the atmosphere, eating the food, and especially visiting the people. I enjoyed Chile, but I could never live there. I struggled with the food at times, and I got tired of not being able to understand anything. I was so excited when I was able to come back and hear English again. Throughout the trip we were on nine different flights, and one all night bus ride, so we were pretty exhausted. It was a great experience though, and I am glad Brogan was able to go back. 

As we were planning the trip, Mark and Verla decided to make it a little more of a vacation for the rest of us as well. So after going to Chile, we were able to spend four days in Jamaica. The resort we stayed in was really nice, and we all had a lot of fun. It was windy the entire time we were there, so there was only one day where we were really able to enjoy most of the water sports, but it was still great to just enjoy the sunshine. Mark and Brogan were able to go scuba diving one day, so Verla and I went and pampered ourselves a little with a massage and facial. The day we had to leave was the nicest day we were there. The wind had quit blowing, so were all a little bummed to have to leave, but we were also all ready to come home again. It was a fun trip with lots of good laughs!

Time to Catch Up...

I've really been slacking lately! We were gone all Christmas Break, and it's just been busy since then. Over Christmas we were able to go to the cabin in Island Park with my family for a few days. There was no snow, so we were only able to go on one little short ride, and there wasn't much we could do. We all had to be careful not to hit something. So most of our time was spent inside the cabin playing games and watching movies, and it still turned out to be a lot of fun!

We were able to watch the Boise State game in order to celebrate Verla's birthday with everyone when we got back. After the game, we headed over to visit Brad who'd just come home from his mission. Everyone is so glad to have him back! Christmas Eve was also spent at Mark and Verla's. It was a lot of fun. The whole family was able to be there and Grandma and Grandpa Wrigley were able to join us as well. We ate a wonderful dinner then all got in a circle to play a game. We played the game where as someone reads a story, you pass presents left and right. Between all the kids and Grandpa Wrigley it was quite the experience. The kids then all got dressed up in little nativity outfits while Mark read the Christmas story. They all looked so cute! It was so fun to watch all of them open presents and participate in all the scavenger hunts!

Christmas Day was spent with my family. Bridger came in early to wake Brogan and I up, and we all headed upstairs to wake my parents up. My siblings were all able to see what Santa brought then we had breakfast and got ready for church. The Christmas program was really good, but my brothers were pretty antsy to get home and finish opening up presents. After every present Bridger would open, he would jump up and down and say "Yes! This is exactly what I wanted!" We all couldn't help but laugh at him. The rest of the day we played games, hung out, and enjoyed each other's company. It was a great Christmas!