Wrapping Up the Year

With just a few more days left in the year we had just enough time to squeeze in a few more of our family traditions.  The day after Christmas we headed downtown to check out the lights at Temple Square.  First we headed to the Grand America Hotel to do their window scavenger hunt.  

Cute cousins minus two.

Next, we stopped for dinner at City Creek.

Mia makes great faces just like her brother.

Finally we braved the cold.  It was very freezing that night so we didn't last long.  Instead of walking around Temple Square like we normally do we decided to check out the view from the Joseph Smith Memorial building.  Unfortunately a lot of other people had this same idea which made it a little crazy but at least we were warm.

The Sunday after Christmas we had our special Christmas Sunday.  We enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner and reenacted the Nativity Story.  Mia was a shepherd and Boo was a lobster. 

Jessica made a beautiful and radiant star.

Once again Alex insisted on being baby Jesus.  But this year Brandon and I got to be Mary and Joseph so I got to enjoy some extra cuddles.

Since Brandon and I have callings in the Nursery Mia has gotten to come with us since right after she turned one.  It has been fun watching her interact with the other kids.  We teach the 2 and 3 year olds so they were much bigger than her.  Many of them loved mothering her though.  We will miss her since at the beginning of the year she will be 18 months and will be officially in Nursery and attend the younger class.  I can't believe how fast time has gone.

I was just telling Brandon the other day that Mia NEVER falls asleep anywhere but in her bed (not even the car).  I reminded him that even Alex fell asleep in his high chair a few times.  Well she decided to prove me wrong and fell asleep one day right in her high chair.  I love those cheeks! 

After working on it for a few days Alex finished the Millennium Falcon he got for Christmas.  Brandon and I helped by handing him pieces but he builds them all by himself.

On New Years Eve we celebrated at the Hettinger household.  We played games, ate lots of treats, and the kids even got to sleep over.  It was another fun night.  Sadly this was the only picture I took that night.  Happy New Year!

Our Gygi Christmas party was a little late this year but it still happened.  Alex had a good time playing in the nursery room with lots and lots of other kids.

I am so lucky to have this sweet family.  They make life so fun.  We've had a great year and can't wait to see what the next one holds!

Another Wonderful Christmas

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were so much fun this year.  We loved spending the day together and with family and got very spoiled. 

Brandon only had to work Christmas Eve morning this year.  While he worked we made one last batch of cookies for our party that night and for Santa.  Alex was a very good helper once again. 

We started off the fun with an early dinner at the Clements household.  It was delicious as usual.  We enjoyed salmon and shrimp and had a great time.  

We all got some new pajamas as well.

Next we headed to Sarah and Jen's house to play games.  It's good to know that if Brandon and I died Mia would have no problem finding replacement parents.  She loves Angie and Scott!

This year we started a new tradition and exchanged white elephant presents.  Alex was so excited for this and it was a lot of fun.  He loved his blow up pillow.

We also played a few other games.  It was a lot of fun! 

Finally we made it back home and made our finale preparations for the big man to arrive.  

One final forced picture by the tree.

On Christmas morning Alex got up first and had to patiently wait for us to get ready.  He was very patient but very excited.

It was still dark and snowy outside but luckily Santa came!  We were so excited. 

Mia had a good time checking out what everyone else got.

Alex got a new banana chair.

Alex usually has some pretty great reactions when opening presents. This year, however, he was pretty business like.  He was pretty excited for his Scooby Doo Legos though.

Alex made this for us at school and hid it underneath the Christmas tree.  It was my favorite present!

Santa even remember to bring Boo a gift but she made quick work destroying it.

It was a very snowy white Christmas which I love but that also meant that Brandon had to quickly shovel the walks so we could have visitors.  And of course he did it in shorts.

In the early afternoon we headed to the Clement's house.  We missed Trevor and Marlene's family but it was fun opening gifts with everyone else.  We also ate a delicious breakfast.

Finally we headed to the Hettingers house for another round of gift giving and our third breakfast of the day.  

It was a very fun and tiring day.  We can't wait until next year.