Christmas with the Rob Morellos!

It looked like it may not happen right up until they dropped their car in long-term parking in DC, but Rob, Rachel, and Peter came to San Antonio for Christmas. It was 80 degrees and beautiful - except for  a few foggy, misty mornings - and we had a fabulous time! 

Land Bridge

We wanted to do a "Jingle Bell 5K" on Dec 23rd, but I hurt my back, Ryan was recovering from strep throat, so we opted to go for a nature walk instead.

We headed to Phil Hardberger Park, and we ventured across the new land bridge that they just built over the highway. It was misty, but we hada great time. Katelyn would have pushed that stroller all the way back to DC!

San Jose Mission

After Peter's nap, we headed back out for more exploring. We took them to our favorite mission - San Jose. It was all decorated for Christmas, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect.

Alamo & Riverwalk

After wandering at San Jose, we headed downtown. First, we stopped in at the Alamo. We were able to wander around a bit there before heading down the stairs to the Riverwalk. It was fun to show them around our town. 

Bowling

Christmas Eve morning we headed to our traditional bowling activity. It was much more crowded than we expected, and one of the bumpers was broken on our lane, so it wasn't our best time, but we still enjoyed ourselves. We even headed across the street to Torchy's Tacos afterwards. Yum! 

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Peter got to open his "something to wear" present, which was matching pajamas to his cousins'. 

The elves are Musical, Princess, Littlest, Snack, and Tallest.

We ate appetizers, sang Christmas carols, and lit candles to remember those who had passed away this year. 

The kids snuggled up, and we listened to the story of the first Christmas that we lovingly call "The Tape." If you know, you know. 

Christmas Morning

Peter loved the boxes. We got him some board books. 

Collin's favorite gift was the used 3D printer that Papa gifted our family. 

Brennan's favorite gift was a squishmallow now named Snakey. 

Ethan's favorite gift was a small flying toy called a gravitator. 

He also got this fun Grogu blanket. 

Katelyn's favorite gift was her squishmallow that she named Nemo. 

She also got a craft to make your own soap that she and Rachel spent an hour on that morning.

Christmas Afternoon

It was 80 degrees, so we headed to the neighborhood playground. Peter loved the swing and the slides. 

We even splashed our toes in the water of the pool. 

Even though the air was warm, the water was frigid. Ryan has always wanted to do a polar bear plunge, so Ethan, Katelyn, and Rachel joined him. 

Sunday

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. I always hate when big, much-anticipated events end. It makes me so sad. 

Their departure came way too fast, but we had the best time meeting Peter and hanging out with Rob & Rachel. Love you guys! Thank you for coming to visit us in Texas!  

*** 

Seeing as the kids and I had THREE weeks off school, we enjoyed lots of other activities over our LOOOONG Break. 

Ward Christmas Party

My Primary Presidency was in charge of decorating this gingerbread house for the party as a backdrop for Santa pictures. I was so happy with how it turned out! 

Bell-playing

Our friends invited us over for a night of caroling, and they introduced us to bell-playing. Everyone was surprisingly talented. We had a lot of fun! 

Christmas at Six Flags

We also made it to Six Flags one last time before our passes expired. We enjoyed all the Christmas lights and lots of bubble snow. 

We rode the train and Ferris wheel. The kids still love Looney Tunes Christmas, and Ryan and I still love their Nativity - with live sheep, camels, and flying angels! 

Spurs vs. Jazz

We got Katelyn a babysitter and took the boys all to an NBA game. We went to Red Robin first and had a great time staying up late. 

The Spurs lost to the Jazz, but we had a ton of fun.

Anniversary & Temple

Ryan and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary by going to an Argentinian restaurant and doing a session in the temple. With Covid, traffic and busy schedules, we hadn't gone together in a long time, and it was nice to be the witness couple together. 

New Year's at Sea World

New Year's Eve we headed to Sea World. We saw their Christmas lights, as well as the orca show and the dolphin & beluga show. 

Last but not least, we saw the BEST firework show... at 9pm. PERFECTION! 

Fondue, Fireworks & Football

New Year's Day was filled with football (Ohio State eked out a win against Utah in the Rose Bowl), fondue (yum! chocolate!), and fireworks (because that's what they do in the south!). 

Bike Ride

With an unprecedentedly warm Christmas Break, I took advantage of the 70-80 degree temperatures to take the kids on a bike ride. This was no easy feat, since I had to transport our 5 bikes to a paved trail. 

But we all had a great time, and the Oreos sandwiches at Freddy's were the perfect conclusion. 

Exercise

Ryan spent New Year's Day switching around our exercise room so I could still watch the Today Show. Unfortunately, no matter how he pointed the antenna, we still didn't get NBC. I guess I'm an ABC GMA watcher now, after 13 years with Today. :-( 

But the new set-up got Katelyn on an exercise kick, and she made the goal to exercise with me on weekdays when she doesn't have school. She likes both the elliptical and treadmill, so we switch back and forth. So far she is 5/5! Go, Kate, Go!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and thank goodness school starts again in the morning! 

Introducing...

Katelyn Marie Williams

THE STATS
August 28, 2015 (her due date!)
1:38 pm
3-hour labor
7 pounds, 7 ounces
19-3/4 inches long

THE STORY
My parents came on Friday the 21st. My aunt and cousin stayed that night too on their way to Utah for her to start her first year at BYU. On Saturday, Ryan and I went to a friend's birthday party in the evening. The theme was Minute-to-Win-It games, and we were team Big Red. We both wore red t-shirts, and Ryan stuffed a playground ball under his. It was super fun, and we got last place. Ha ha. 

After all the drama

On Sunday, my parents took the boys to our now "old" ward, and Ryan and I attended a different stake's conference, by way of geographical assignment. We learned that a new stake was being formed, and our neighborhood was being reassigned to a new stake and ward. Perfect timing to have a new bishop, relief society president and no visiting teachers. Not. 

Weight: 7 lbs, 7 oz

Monday was Collin's first day of school. I walked him over alone, since my parents could keep Brennan and Ethan, and I think he was a little nervous. He did great. He is super tired and hungry each day when he gets home, but I think we may survive this transition... maybe. 

Proud Daddy
I could never do natural labors without this super man. He is amazing!

Tuesday I had a routine ob appointment. I was 39-1/2 weeks, and I asked to have my membranes stripped. I was dilated to 3 cm, 70% effaced and at -2 station. I had had this done with Ethan too, and I told the midwife. The rest of the day I had a light period with heavy cramping. She never mentioned these side effects, but I guess she thought I knew because I had had it done before. I didn't. In fact, I cramped the rest of the week. It was absolutely horrible. 

Love the tongue. Ready to tease her brothers back already!

After my appointment, my mom and I went together to get mani/pedis, which was really fun. We also vacuumed out my filthy van and got it washed. All while I cramped. :-( 

On Wednesday we took the kids to a park in the morning, and I mostly tried to nap and take it easy. 

My favorite position to cuddle my newborns. Those sweet open lips make me melt.

Thursday morning I woke up at 3 am with lower back pain every 10 minutes. This is how all my other labors started, and since Brennan came so quickly afterwards, I woke up Ryan at 5 am and told him we were having a baby. He took a shower, but by 6:30 am the back pain wasn't getting any more often or more painful, and I fell asleep. I went ahead and sent him off to work at 8 am. I had a few more painful contractions throughout the day, but they were spaced sometimes hours apart. We went to the library. I was so uncomfortable ALL day long, but I still met my friends for book club that evening and stayed out until after 10 pm. Whatever. Life goes on, right?

Happy Mommy

Friday morning I woke up at 3 am with lower back pain every 10 minutes AGAIN. I was so fed up and exhausted with it all by 5:30 am that we decided we'd go to the hospital no matter what and just see what happened. I was basically having constant lower back pain, but only a couple of abdominal contractions. We arrived at the hospital about 8 am, and the nurse checked me at 8:30 am - I had made NO change since Tuesday's appointment. I was so frustrated. They said they couldn't admit me, but that they would let me walk the halls for two hours. If I didn't make any change in those two hours, they would send me home. And that was that.

She's a sucker. Loved her fingers and a pacifier - despite the nurses' objections - right from the beginning

I was devastated. I KNEW I was in labor and that Brennan came so super fast after just back labor, but they wouldn't count my back labor as real labor. They said I need to get the baby to move into position in order for the pain to make any affect on my progress. They told me to take some Tylenol and use a hot pad. I was not happy. 

Anyway, Ryan and I walked the halls of Mother & Baby for two hours. Nothing seemed to really change. I was still miserable, my back was still killing me, and now I had to face going home and having no idea when to come back. 

Because she used her fingers to self-soothe, I kept her unswaddled in the hospital.
Unfortunately, her face got pretty scratched up from it.

At 10:30 the midwife checked me again. I was crying because I knew nothing had changed. She prodded around and in utter disbelief declared me dilated to 6 cm, 90% effaced and baby at 0 station. Yeah, she wasn't the only surprised one! The nurse finally admitted my back labor counted as real contractions, and they took my blood, got me admitted, set my IV, and started treating me like a real patient. 

The only brother brave enough to hold the baby when they came to visit the hospital on Saturday.
They look so angelic.

Of course by the time they got all these chores done, labor was in full swing. When they quit messing with me, I sat on the birthing ball and Ryan applied pressure to my lower back with each contraction. Still only a few of them were in my abdomen. 

My "not-even 2-year-old, but already a big brother"
We're in trouble!

At 12:30, my midwife checked me again. I was now dilated 8 cm, and we decided to have my water broken. Ohhh baby!!! I hate this last part. My contractions were on top of each other. Ryan tried his best to help with my back pain, but it was intense. I felt the urge to push after only three contractions on the ball. 

First bath. They don't bathe the babies here until they are 24 hours old. She smelled like a cow pasture until then.

With me back in the bed, the room filled with people. I was checked and declared 9 cm. After that, it was all leg holding and screaming and pushing and pain and craziness. I was never checked at 10 cm. That's what happened with Brennan too; it's all so chaotic because my babies came so crazy fast, and no one ever listens to me.

And here's our little tomato ready to come home. We left after 24 hours because they don't have a nursery at the hospital and don't give the mother ANY help. I figured my mom and Ryan would be better than that at home, and I was right!

And Baby Katelyn was born at 1:38 pm. Three hours from the medical community finally admitted I was in labor until she was in my arms. I can't imagine if they had sent us home. We never would have made it back to the hospital in time.

My oldest boys with the pink cake they made with Grandma. Happy "birth"day, Katelyn!

Anyway, she's here and perfect and beautiful in every way! And I had my natural, un-medicated, un-induced labor on my due date. Now I call that wonderful.