Christmas!

 Our Christmas break was absolutely lovely! Two weeks of no school and so many fun things to do! We started with a wonderful ski day! I took Chase skiing for his first time! He picked it up fast, the weather was lovely (and a little too cold), the crowds were low and we had the best time together! I can’t wait to do it again. This was my first time back on the slopes in 12 years and I forgot just how fun it is.

 

We officially have a big enough family that we cover almost the whole Christmas tree!

Aunt Heidi made it from Boston! She spent a lovely afternoon frosting sugar cookies with the kids which was darling. Davis was mostly her little buddy the whole time and their interaction was just heart melting.

So many fun events went unphotographed- but we had a magical evening in Christmas village in Ogden with Ben’s parents and Nathan. It was so fun right up until Lila loved the little train too much, didn’t want to get off, and screamed all the way to car and most of the way home. But before that it was awesome! We also had a fun adult only dinner with my parents and siblings at Nino Viejo. We all laughed a lot and had a relaxing night out without the fun, crazy, young crew! And then Heidi and I met Kelly and Ella in Salt lake for dinner one night and had the best time- but once again I failed to take even one picture! Sometimes it’s too fun to stop and photograph!

Christmas Eve is always the most special day of the year. We had a fun party with the Smith family- full of games and the cutest talent show. Chase played his piano piece “What Child is This?” Which was beautiful. Hudson did karate forms. Davis did his “super spin”. Lila made animal sounds. Nora sang a song. Anna did “click singing” and I’m not sure Rosie ever decided to do something. We had a delicious dinner with the fanciest charcuterie board and then we did the nativity with puppets, which was chaotic as always. Presents were hilarious and so fun and cute to see. The kids were all so excited and thankful, but especially Davis! He always makes everyone’s holiday!

After so much excitement and the kids had all been spoiled, we headed home to get everyone to bed! Luckily, with the help of melatonin they all went to bed pretty quickly. The boys all wanted to sleep together in Davis’s room, so I read them stories and sang to them while they dropped off one by one! Pretty soon we had four peacefully sleeping kids and Ben and I got a minute to breathe and finish Christmas prep. I always feel so blessed and content on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning came with four very excited kiddos! Lila went right past her stocking and ran to the kitchen we got her. She happily exclaimed “Daddy! A kitchen!” And played almost the whole time the rest of us opened presents. Chase and Hudson were delighted with the hoverboard and Davis loved his gauntlet and all his avengers themed gifts (duplos, clothes, underwear, ball, shoes, etc.). The kids were so excited to give the gifts they’d carefully selected for each other. There was just so much Christmas magic and I loved soaking it all in. Childhood is too fleeting.

Ben’s parents and Nathan came for breakfast, and my parents stopped by a little later with Heidi to see what the kids got. Then we settled in for much needed naps and then headed to Ray and Diane’s to do Christmas dinner with the rest of the Hugos. We had a delicious meal and the cousins all had a blast together. I went home tired and happy with a thankful heart for how blessed we are.