Random end of 09 Part 1 of 3 - December 2009

I am not one who typically stresses over the holidays but for some reason, last year had me quite behind especially in my blogging. Here are some holiday photos:


Ella and cousin Julia at her wedding.


Aidan is so excited to tell Santa about the Furreal pets he wants along with Zhu Zhus. Yes, I was one of those mothers who got up at 5:15 am and waited outside Toys R Us for these. It is so NOT me.

Ella has been waiting so patiently to ask for an American Girl doll.

I remember this snowy day and being cooped up inside all day. As soon as Matt came home, I announced, "We're playing in the snow! Suit up! I forgot how much I love just playing in the snow. This darn snow man was so hard to stick because the snow was so fluffy. We decided to make it a she.

I love Temple Square at Christmas. Who doesn't? My very, very favorite tree at this time of year is right there on the left. It is so beautiful contrasted against the majestic temple. What a fun night for our family. Cold? Did anyone say cold? Brrrrr. It was an early 20s night.

Photo op.

Ella amazes me with her sensitivity to beauty and peace. She almost cried when she saw the nativity scene and when we had to leave Temple Square she kept asking, "But why? Why do we have to leave? Can't we just stay here?" She was enchanted particularly at the Christus.

Like a lot of families, we act our the Christmas story every year. Featuring Matt as the donkey, Ella as Mary, Aidan as Joseph, Layla (Ella's Buid a Bear) as baby Jesus and me as the narrator and inn keepers. The kids absolutely love it.

Another tradition we have is that night - Christmas Eve after we read the Christmas story, everyone gets to open one present (this year it was two) and it's always a new set of pajamas. This year they got slipprs as well. Along with this, I pick out a Christmas book and write a dedication along with the the year. The kids get to write their name inside. It's fun to see how their name writing changes from year to year. Then we read the story together and always have homemade cookies and cocoa. Goodness, I could do it all over again!