*Heads up: REALLY long post, no pictures YET*
Christmas Eve:
We took the the kids up to Mutual Dell to sled since there hasn't been much snow here in the valley. They had the best time racing Aunt Chelsea, Aunt Brooke, Uncle Chris, Mommy, Daddy, and Papa Clay down the slopes. Mommy, Uncle Chris, and Papa Clay even had a few epic races. Mommy currently holds the longest run title, but we'll see what happens when we get enough snow for a re-match.
After playing we went back to the Linford's for dinner, the nativity reenactment, and present opening. This year Ruby insisted on playing "Mother Mary." Brandon was the donkey, Joseph, and a wise man. I was an angel and our sweet baby boy was the most active baby Jesus in history. Ruby wanted to snuggle and hold him, but he just wanted to crawl around.
After all the festivities we put the kids in their pjs, bundled them up, and loaded them in the car; and just as planned, they were sound asleep by the time we got home. :)
Christmas Day:
Wyatt decided to wake up from 3-4 am, so of course he wasn't about to get up when Ruby did at 7. So, we let Ruby discover her Santa gifts first while Wyatt continued to sleep. She was so excited when she turned the corner into the family room. The first thing she saw was her princess tour and she exclaimed, "Santa left me a princess tower!" She climbed right inside and found the sleeping beauty princess dress and shoes that she had asked Santa for as well as her stocking gifts. We let her happily play with her toys while we made breakfast. It was such a peaceful happy memory to see how content and grateful she was with what Santa had left her. I almost wanted to hide all the presents that were under the tree and let Christmas be complete for her! I'm dreading the day that Christmas turns to greed...
Anyway, my mom and grandma joined us for breakfast and then we decided to wake up Wyatt. We helped him open his Santa gifts, but he was more excited about shredding and chewing on the paper than playing with the presents. The kids also opened the rest of their gifts. Ruby got tons of dress up clothes and accessories. Every time she opened a new princess dress she started shaking with excitement. She spent the rest of the day (and past few weeks) taking off one dress and putting on another.
At noon we went to church-- Christmas church is the best! I love the music and special spirit that accompanies the meeting on that day each year. And this year because Christmas fell on a Sunday church was only 1 hour long, so we all could go home and nap! Merry Christmas, right?!
Grandma and I prepared an authentic Italian dinner for the family (my sister Kandace and her husband Mike got here in time to join us) and chocolate cake with peppermint ice cream and dark chocolate syrup for dessert-- soooooo good! Brandon's family joined us for dessert and games late into the night. It was a perfect holiday. I can hardly wait to do it all again next year!
Shadowen Christmas:
For the past 7 or so years my mom has established the Christmas, round 2 tradition. Since all of us kids are grown up and have lots of family to divide our time with my mom waits until the 26th of December to celebrate Christmas. We had breakfast, opened presents, took pictures in our pjs, hung out around the house, and ate a traditional turkey/ham Christmas dinner. As always, the highlight was just seeing my brother, sister, niece, and in laws. Since they all live in California we don't get to see each other nearly enough.
Family Fun:
Brandon had the entire week off, so we tried to do lots of fun outings with the kids and our extended family. We ice skated at the outdoor rink downtown, walked around Temple Square at night to see the lights, took the kids swimming at the athletic club pool, had multiple Settler's of Catan challenges, went shopping, bike riding, visited the aquarium, and had Aunt Chelsea over for a sleep over.
Anniversary:
On the 28th we celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary. Man, time flies! Luckily, our family was excited to watch the kids for us and we were able to get away for the day. We went to Midway and swam in a crater. The water was amazingly blue and warm. Then we stayed the night at a little resort there. Don't judge me, but all I wanted to do was chill and eat; and so we did! The next day we came home refreshed and ready for another year of wedded bliss.
New Years:
New Year's Eve happens to be my mom's birthday, so we spent the evening hanging out with her and my family. It was a traditional birthday party-- presents, visiting, and delicious cake! Then we packed up the kids and headed home to watch a movie and quietly ring in the new year from the comfort of our couch!
Whew--what a whirlwind! The last few weeks of December are always so full of activities and traditions and family time--It's exhausting and wonderful all at the same time. I hope your holiday vacation was just as fun and meaningful and memorable, too. Here's to a calm January. Happy New Year ya'll!
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