Our official Christmas celebrations began the Saturday before Christmas. We decided that instead of taking Blake's presents with us to Utah we would just have an early Christmas morning for him here. He was shocked to come down the stairs and see his presents. It was so cute. He walked down the stairs (hold two of his favorite airplanes) and when he reached the bottom step and saw his gifts he dropped his planes and just stared with the biggest smile on his face. We didn't actually wrap any of them (which might make us bad parents) but they were all rather big and we thought it would be more fun if he could spend him morning playing with them than just watching dad put them together. We also had fun making and eating waffles before getting ready to head to Utah.
We had such a wonderful, action packed Christmas break in Utah! Matt was able to take two weeks off work and so we had no worries or cares in the world for those two weeks. It was wonderful. Over the two weeks Matt was able to go golfing (it was almost 50 degrees on Christmas Eve!), attend three BYU basketball games, and one Jazz game. Not to mention watch countless football games on TV. That alone made the trip a huge success for Matt. Blake and I had so much fun playing with his aunts, cousins, and grandma. In addition to attending fun family Christmas parties, we rode horses, played in the snow, ate tons of amazing food, got pedicures, did lots of shopping, and spent an afternoon in SLC. We loved being in Utah with our families!
Blake and Ethan sat on Santa's lap together and then had a blast eating their suckers together. These two can be the best of friends when they want to be.
BYU had an afternoon game so Blake and I were able to tag along once. Blake napped the first half of the game and really enjoyed watching the second half.
Perks of being home--having my fashionable little sister do my hair.
Christmas Eve Nativity with some of my brothers and sisters. Blake played both baby Jesus and an angel. I was a shoe-in for Mary which made Matt my Joseph. As always, Devin was the donkey and Kelsi, Alysa, and Brady filled in the Shepherds and Wise Men.
The first part of our Christmas morning was spent with my family and then we enjoyed a second Christmas morning and breakfast with Matt's family. We were all spoiled! Blake quickly got the hang of opening presents and by the end of the day turned into a greedy child asking for more presents to open.
The highlight of Christmas day was talking via Skype to Haley (my missionary sister) and Chad (Matt's missionary brother). It was so great to see them and hear about their mission experiences. I really miss my little sister Haley. She is one of my very best friends. After talking to her I shed a couple tears and then realized that next Christmas she will be there! I can't wait!
Blake and Ethan had a couple pantry parties in Grandma's extensive parties. They were all fun and games until they decided to crush candy canes on the floor...then Grandma banned them from the pantry.
My family has always read scriptures together each morning. I loved being apart of that for two weeks while we were in town! Family Home Evenings were also a treat. My dad is a great teacher.
On one of the Sundays we were there Blake came down with a low-grade fever. He told us his ear hurt so I took him to after-hours care and sure enough he had an ear infection. The two pictures below are pre and post Tylenol.
Like I said earlier, we loved riding Grandma's horses and spending lots of time playing in the snow! We went sledding and enjoyed rides behind Grandpa's snowmobile.
These two love Grandma.
Blake has been very fascinated with deer. He was very happy to make his own deer at build-a-bear.
New Year's Eve with my Matt.
Towards the end of our trip the Greens came to town for Kenidee's blessing. We were so happy to be able to spend some time with them too.
These three kids are funny. They sat like this for probably a half-hour, just watching Ethan play Mickey Mouse. I'm so glad they all have each other.
And then it was time to go home. We had such an amazing two weeks in Utah! We made wonderful memories with our families and look forward to the next time we will see everyone!
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