Christmas!

Our family Christmas party was the weekend before Christmas. That left me 3 days really to get everything done. Needless to say, those three nights I totalled about 8 hours of sleep. By the time Christmas Eve came, I was running on pure adrenaline (and a package of No-Doze in my purse just in case the drowsies set in on the drive!)

Presents were wrapped, gear was packed, and we hit the road! You can tell we kind of had a rough time getting out the door by Lily's scrappiness (don't worry, it only gets scrappier!)

The girls and I got to Logan around 5:00 or so. Seuao had to wait in Salt Lake to pick up my mom's brother, Richard from the airport. He wanted to surprise Granny and come see her for Christmas, but his plane was delayed, and they ended up not getting there until around 9:00 p.m. I really missed having him there for all our traditional Christmas Eve things, but I'm just glad they were safe and that they did make it! (Even if Granny did poop out and headed back to her house before they got there! So much for surprises!)



I was so tired (after not sleeping at all the night before) Lily and I crashed pretty much as soon as we got to Logan. We missed out on our traditional Christmas Eve movies that we always watch. They are so random - I really don't know why we even watch them, but tradition is tradition!

We had our "Campbell's" broccoli soup for dinner (another story for another day), and the Luke 2 sing-a-long. Since I was still missing my hubby, I played the piano, Lily was still sleeping, and I think my mom took care of Tessa. There is always a beautiful, heavy, sweet spirit when we sing the Christmas hymns as a family. Hearing the The 4-part harmonies, the twinkling lights, the occasional baby outburst (mostly my baby) all settle me into the Christmas mood.

Other than Rebecca, all of us, and all of our kids stayed at the folk's house in Logan. We stayed up late (kinda late - we all were pooped) and played games. It was so fun to wake up Christmas morning and let Lily go through her stocking. She got a stuffed Elmo, a couple of Elmo Christmas books (she's on a major Elmo kick), some "fishies" (goldfish crackers) and a gummy Life Saver book. (Yeah - still wearing the half of her clothes from the day before.... SCRAPPY!!!!)




We did a "Kid's Christmas" in the morning for all of the kiddos. Lily and Noah were the most into it.

Lily's special chair painted just for her by her Granny!

The biggest hit would have to be the basketball hoop we got for Lily. She and Noah went NUTS over that thing! At one point, they had a full on court set up with obstacles and everything!




Lily and Noah were cracking me up all weekend. Those two could not be separated! They are ALWAYS together, hatching up some sort of plot!

Tessa got a Bumbo - the gift I didn't know I - uh... SHE - wanted! WE LOVE IT!!!!!!

After the kids presents, we had our Christmas Dinner. Poor little Lily was soooo pooped! She literally fell asleep in her high chair! Too funny!!!!!




Tessa spent most of the day, actually the weekend for that matter cuddled up safe and snuggly in Grandmother's arms... Lucky baby!



When dinner finished, we did the "Adult's Christmas." Babies were napping, so it worked out perfectly! Seuao totally spoiled me. He had Sarah go shopping for me and got me tons of new clothes - I DEFINITELY needed them! He also got me a pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings, and a few other things. I'm sure glad I bit the bullet and got him his beloved South Africa Jersey! I also surprised him with a Spurs fleece blanket I made for him. He loves it!



Lex and Mary win the "most thoughtful gift" awards this year. Lex made DARLING calendars for all the folks and grand folks with pictures, birthdays and anniversaries. Mary put together an AMAZING book for mom and dad. It is a snapshot of our family right now, and it is just gorgeous. She did such a good job on it. She got the tears! (A good thing!)



After the presents were cleaned up and we watched the snow fall and fall and fall and fall (like 12 inches or something there in Logan!), my heart was so full of gratitude. Grateful for the season, grateful it's over for another year, grateful for my family, grateful for three more days until I have to deal with real life again, grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the remembrance of his birth.

(Can you say SCRAPPY!?!?)