Christmas

We packed December full of Christmas activities- the fun didn't stop all month long! Diane and Nathan came out for a visit mid-month. One night we took Diane down to temple square and all enjoyed the lights! Brandon, Angel and their kids recently moved to our area, so they joined us. The kids had a great time with their Grandma and cousins! 

A few days before Christmas we went to Christmas Village in Ogden. We love that place! The boys ran excitedly from window to window and loved all the lights. It was freezing, but still fun!

 Christmas Eve we had a full day of family fun. We started off with a delicious brunch at our house and went to see "Moana" as a family, to celebrate Nana's birthday. Moana was darling- we all loved listening to Chase giggled excitedly through the whole movie (while he sat on Papa's lap). Hudson cuddled up on Ben's lap and contently watched the whole thing too- which I think is a first for him at a theater. Later we met back up at Nana and Papa's for hilarious games (the snowman game made us all laugh so hard- so were the kids playing Christmas charades), a beautiful candlelight dinner, a nativity puppet show (in which Hudson demanded a RED dragon WAS present at the nativity- don't worry, he's a nice dragon) and exchanged gifts. We were all spoiled and had a really beautiful, wonderful night together. Christmas Eve at my parents house is one of my absolute favorites.

 The boys were super wound up when we got them home that night- luckily we give them melatonin, or "a chill pill" as Hudson calls it, and they went to bed without much fuss (it was pretty late at this point). First they set out cookies and milk for Santa, and Hudson insisted on some carrots for the reindeer as well (which surprised me, since we've never done it before). We read them a Christmas book, sang a few calming Christmas carols, and they were out!

 I gift wrapped the top of the stairs, since it's a straight shot view to the living room and Christmas tree. The boys actually slept in until 7:20 that morning and were giddy waiting at the top of the stairs. When we gave them the all-clear they ripped right through the paper and headed down to the tree. They were so excited that Santa had brought exactly what they asked for (Paw Patrol Playdoh for Huds and a Remote Control Car for Chase).

 Christmas Eve/Morning we got dumped on with inches of beautiful white snow! We kind of had to hurry to make breakfast (Ben made his delicious biscuits and gravy- our little tradition), Ben was shoveling our driveway (and a bunch of our neighbor's driveways as well, until I insisted he come in and enjoy Christmas breakfast with his family). We had Nana, Papa and Heidi down to eat with us and the boys excitedly showed off their new toys. Then we got dressed up and headed to church. We all went together since it was baby Anna's blessing! She looked beautiful, Will gave her a beautiful blessing, and the rest of the meeting was full of beautiful Christmas music and messages.

After church (and much needed naps for everyone) we had Brandon and Angel's family over for Christmas dinner! We made a turkey, and it turned out great! (Technically, my mom did it for us while she was here for breakfast, but we did manage to cook it the right amount) The kids had a great time playing with their cousins, and it was sweet to see that bond forming.

AND, as if the day hadn't been packed enough, after dinner we headed to Salt Lake (very slowly, the roads were still snowy) for after-dinner dinner/desserts at my Aunt Georgia's house. It was my only chance to see Kelly and Ella this season, and I was so glad that we did! We had a great time hanging out as cousins, my boys enjoyed all the attention, and we all had a great time.

Christmas was a wonderful success! This year I feel like I learned (or relearned) again the true meaning of Christmas- the gift of the Savior. Our life isn't perfect, but we have so much to be grateful for. And through it all, true peace can be found in Christ.