Kick-Off to Christmas!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! We love this season. Something about having a baby in the house again at Christmas has made it even more magical this year. Right after Thanksgiving we started our Christmas celebrations. We got the house decorated and having been playing Christmas music all day. On Black Friday we did our traditional "Kick-off to Christmas" party to start out the season, a much anticipated Hugo Family tradition. We decorated the tree, which I love doing so much. The boys love doing it, love reminiscing with each ornament they put on. They love putting up all my old ornaments as well, asking me when and where I got every single one of them. So many memories! While we were decorating the tree, I heard Chase say to no one in particular, "This just makes me SO HAPPY!" 

While we were decorating, Ben was holding Davis while they watched us. When Davis got a little restless, I handed him a shiny, red, ball ornament. His little eyes got so wide and his mouth broke into the biggest, cutest, toothless grin. He loved holding that little ball (and dropping it, and watching it hit the floor again and again). He stayed totally entranced by it!

After decorating the tree the boys got to open their Christmas jammies! They look so cute all matching. Davis was actually super thrilled when I sat him down with the boys to take this picture, he loves being included in things! Then we cuddled up, ate leftover Thanksgiving pie, and watched the Muppet Christmas Carol, a favorite Christmas movie of ours. The boys loved it and Hudson reenacted his favorite scenes over and over again. 

The next night we headed to temple square to see the lights. Oh my gosh, they are so beautiful! I love this every year. It was a nice warm night, which was great to not need to bundle everyone up so much. It also meant that it was super crowded- about 1 million other people had our same idea. Nonetheless, it was beautiful and awesome. 

 We took the boys to see Santa at Station Park, like we always do. I love this Santa. He is so patient and kind with the boys, takes time to talk with them, and makes the experience just magical. Hudson walked right in and asked Santa, "Do you sometimes say "ho! ho! ho!"? When Santa replied that he did, Hudson smiled and gave him a big thumbs up. Like saying, YES, he IS the REAL Santa!

Chase asked for "coast guard" legos. Santa said he'd bring them only if Chase promises to clean them up when he's done playing. He went on to explain how it hurts to step on legos, and how the elves in the lego department wear special shoes for that reason!

 Hudson asked for an Air Patroller, which is the plane from Paw Patrol. He's wanted it for like 11 months.

 Davis was obviously a little skeptical and possibly confused by the experience, but he did sit there while I snapped a picture.

It was a great start to December!