I absolutely love the Christmas season! Each year brings joy and new memories to treasure- 2008 was no different.
While I do love Christmas, I have a thing for putting up decorations too early. For me too early is before the Thanksgiving dinner plates have been cleared. People who don't share this same view occasionally question my Christmas spirit, but believe me it is not lacking! The day after Thanksgiving is CHRISTMAS TIME! And I am ready to deck the halls!
Growing up we had a tradition to cut trees the day after Thanksgiving. Then one dreadful day my parents brought home a fake tree (boo... actually it's a nice tree and I've come to accept it). Last year Tim and I went on a tree hunting extravaganza- and the tradition was kept alive this year. Last year we cut nine trees (I think)... and this year the ante was upped to fifteen trees. Most were to be used for Ben and Elaine's wedding reception.
The biggest tree... It was taller than our house!
We brought three trees home with us- it felt like a forest in our apartment, but we became used to it and loved it in the end.
Here are our trees!
They were so fun to pick out ornaments and decorate! Tim did an AMAZING job with the lights!
Spending time with family and friends is one of my favorite parts of the season.
Sarah and Trevor- our amazing friends!- took a second tree trip with us. I think Trev's favorite part was cutting the tree down with an ax (like the settlers would have done...)
Sarah also took a swing at the tree... and they finished it off quickly!
Tim and I stuck with the saw! (Actually Tim used the ax too)
(Sarah I took this picture from your blog... thanks)
After the tree hunt was done we strapped our spoils on top of Sarah and Trev's car and took off. Sadly we did have a little slide off, but no one was injured and some hunters quickly came to our rescue. (the car was okay too... a little bent in the front, but running) We love spending time with these two because even a little slide off doesn't ruin the fun!
Back in Provo it was more fun with friends. Rachel and Matt (our friends and neighbors) invited us and Amanda and Mark over for dinner and to make gingerbread houses... it was a blast! The girls made a much better house... probably cause the guys just wanted to play guitar hero....
We also hosted friends for a Christmas dinner. Sadly we didn't get pictures when everyone was here. We loved spending the evening with Tim's roommates and their beautiful wives or girlfriends! I love that we have all stayed friends and know we will always be.
We did get pictures of the table setting. Mainly because we got to use Grandma's china for the first time. I loved having that bit of her memory at Christmas. The china reminds me of many family dinners with loved ones around multiple tables.
Okay on to the break! Once again we were so busy enjoying that we didn't get many pictures. One of the many highlights was meeting baby Parker. He is the most adorable little boy! So handsome and engaged in the world around him. I can't lie I love being an aunt and do look forward to my own babies!
I didn't want to let go of him! But Grandma does need her time too.Christmas was an exciting morning. Our niece Lorna (she's 3) added to the Christmas excitement. We haven't had little children around in such a long time that I think we scared her Christmas morning because we were all anxiously watching her as she came upstairs. Get nine adults clustered around with all eyes on little 3 year old you and you might feel a bit of pressure too! She got three princess dresses and all the accessories a girl could want! I think a hit gift for her was a princess blow up bed for Grandma and Grandpa's house!
She loved it! She is also good at pretending to sleep.
Our family Christmas pajama tradition lived on... but we didn't get pictures in the pj's this year.
Tim and I had a great Christmas morning too- no princess dresses for us, but that's okay.. You might think the house was cold, but really he was just trying things on. He totally surprised me with adorable clothes, shoes I have wanted for a long time, and my big gift...
a trip to Vegas to see Phantom of the Opera! YAY! I was blown away!December flew by with family fun and adventure! After Christmas we celebrated the fourth wedding in a year and a half! Yep once Maren and Joseph got married my mom and dad couldn't stop the love and spouses from flowing in!
Ben and Elaine were married on December 27 in Logan, Utah. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful and amazing couple! Lorna is Elaine's little girl from an earlier marriage.. and there couldn't be a better match for Ben! I honestly don't know what could be more perfect than to have them in our family- We love you all forever!
It was a joy to share their day with them!
The Christmas season drew to an end with a New Year's celebration at our place. We enjoyed spending the night with Megan, Perry, Parker, Maren and Joseph!
As I think back to the holiday time I know that what matters most is the love that comes from our Savior. I testify that He has perfect love for each of us, and that the joy that comes from being with family is possible because of His love. He humbly came to this earth. He came that He might live as a perfect example. He came that He might break the bonds of death, He came that we will all live again. He came that He might pay the price for our sins. He came that He might live again! And He does live. He did live a perfect life and pay the ultimate price. He truly gave the most perfect gift and I am grateful for His life and sacrifice. I know that I can be with my family forever and that is something to celebrate every day! I pray we can always remember our Savior and keep the Christmas spirit with us all year round.
