SNOW!!

The last time my dad experienced a white Christmas was while he was oversees in the Navy. My mom's last experience was as a little kid in El Paso, Texas. Needless to say, they were praying for a white Christmas. We were all a little disappointed when it decided to rain instead of snow on Christmas Eve. In fact, all the snow that was on the ground melted with the rain. However, our green Christmas Eve turned into a beautiful white Christmas the next morning! It snowed! My parents were delighted (I wasn't so excited because I knew this was going to last until the spring). There was about a foot of snow outside and it kept snowing all day. I do have to admit that the snow makes Christmas even more magical. It was beautiful to look out our window at the sparkling white blanket across the property. The world seemed fresh and clean and new. The day after Christmas, Mom, Jonas and I decided to play in the snow. Mom enjoyed walking in the calf-deep snow. Jonas didn't enjoy it as much. In fact, he wasn't sure he liked his snow suit, boots, or gloves either. Maybe he's more my child after all! However, I wouldn't let him give up on our snow adventure. I took him on the sled a few times and showed him how to make a snowball. He liked throwing the snow and, by the end, he really liked sledding. As much as I am not a fan of snow, I hope he learns to enjoy it. (As a side note, the other boys are LOVING the snow! They have been up to Sundance to snowboard/ski. I think they will be frequent visitors on the slopes this season.)

Christmas

It's Christmas!! Today was such a great day. Not only was it Christmas, but it was also Sunday. It's not often that we get to celebrate both days together. I think I like Christmas on Sunday. Amidst all the presents and wrapping paper, we get the chance to pause and reflect on the true meaning for the season. Jeff even spoke in the Christmas services. I love him. I love his testimony and his love for His Savior. It shows in everything he does and everything he is. But...I'm getting ahead of myself. Our day actually started by Skyping the girls! It was so fun to see both of them. Amber called us first then Laurin joined us before Amber disconnected so we got to speak to each girl separately and together. They both cried, but for different reasons. Amber is still adjusting to the mission and Laurin is discovering that she is going to have to adjust to leaving the mission. She comes home in March! Can you believe it? It was good to talk to both of them. They are both doing great things. They are where they need to be and touching the lives of the people they need to touch. After our calls, the boys finally got to open their gifts. They really enjoyed the little drones Santa brought them. Dallin got a ski pass and a new suit. Danny got a 360 bike and a new hoodie. They each got a few other gifts from siblings and grandparents too. They were both so grateful...which makes it all worth it. Danny kept squeezing me all day. I love all my boys!

After opening gifts, we had our traditional waffle breakfast then went to church. The rest of the day we enjoyed relaxing at home. Mom, Dad and I also went over to Scott's house for an hour or so before our prime rib, mashed potato and salad dinner. Gma Penny, Grumpy, Katie and Greg joined us too. We definitely eat well on Christmas! It was a great day. It has been a great year! I can't believe in a week we'll be starting 2017...at least we'll start it with a little sunshine in AZ.

Christmas Eve

I can't believe it's already Christmas...Eve! I think I love this day more than Christmas. That might be crazy to imagine, but I don't care as much about the gifts I receive as I do the meaning behind the season...and I feel we focus more on that meaning on Christmas Eve than Christmas Day. During the day, the boys busied themselves building their traditional fort. We also made some cookies for Santa. Jonas got to help on the new stool Daddy built for him. He LOVED it! He made sure he got an apron and then got to work. He helped put ingredients in the mixer (and his mouth!). All the boys helped out. I hope Santa liked them! I know chocolate chip cookies with red and green M&Ms are his favorite.

The rest of the afternoon was spent just hanging out and enjoying time together as a family. We all worked on a puzzle and the boys built their traditional Christmas Eve fort.

That evening, the real festivities began. I was so glad that my parents were able to enjoy our traditions with us. Many of these traditions I had growing up. The luminaries are one of them. We filled 144 bags with a little sand and a candle then lined our property with them before carefully lighting each one. Sometimes I wonder if it's a little much to line our whole driveway and front property line, but when all is said and done, it is breathtaking...and always worth it. I love the tradition, but I love the symbolism even more. We were lighting the way for the Christ child to come to our home. I hope He will always feel welcome here.

After setting out the luminaries, we headed back inside for our Bethlehem dinner and Christmas Eve devotional. The dinner consists of foods found in the Bible (with certain modern day twists). I actually really enjoy this dinner. I like having little tastes of some of my favorite foods - salmon, carne asada, humus, olives, etc. Once we finished eating and cleaning up, we gathered for the devotional. This year we focused on the symbol of "light". Christ truly is the Light of the World, but we need to shine His light for everyone. As I wandered through the lights at Luminaria and enjoyed setting out our luminaries, I couldn't helped but think what would happen if even one of those lights didn't work. At Luminaria, there were a few lanterns in the Light of the World garden that weren't illuminated. Even though there were so many more that were lit, I couldn't help notice the ones that weren't. I don't want to be one of those lights. I want to shine. I hope we all shine a little brighter in the new year.
asldkf

We finally put all the gifts under the tree. Needless to say, Jonas was enthralled!

Christmas will always be magical through the eyes of a child.

Once we finished our devotional, the boys got their traditional Christmas Eve Christmas jammies. I snapped a few pictures then we set out the milk and cookies for Santa before the boys retired to bed. It is almost Christmas!