Merry Christmas, Everyone

This was the best Christmas ever.   I tend to get really stressed by Christmas with the gifts, the fanatacism of buy! buy!! BUY!!! and all that, but this year, i just decided to focus on family, memories, love and being grateful.  I am telling ya; it was truly just such a joy.
We started the month with an Advent Calendar with lots of family things to do- riding around at night looking for lights, singing Christmas carols, a trip to Starbuck's for (high-priced) hot chocolate- just stuff to do as a family.

It was all just such a joy, and we are blessed.

Matt was off 2 Saturdays- because he worked two 12 hour days those weeks, and we went to the Temple, and then we adopted Luken, our husky.

This last week, I was working EVERY DAY until Matt had to leave for work and there was no time to shop or any of that.  I did not get terribly stressed until the day turned to Christmas Eve and I realize our fridge was empty, our pantry was empty, and my gift-buying was seriously lacking.  Sooooo, I went to the grocery store, got some gift cards, and then decided that that was going to have to be ok.  And it was.

I also took engagement pictures for a former student of mine, and we went, as a family to my friend from work to her Christmas Eve church service + home for dinner.  Those were perfect in ushering the Spirit of gratitude for the birth of our Savior.

Happy couple

Valerie with my colleague's little girl and Asher after the Christmas Eve service

YAY for Christmas Eve jammies

Milk and Cookies for Santa

Asher was up till 2 am Christmas morning, so needless to say, Santa was getting a little cranky when he was finally able to stop over ;-)

We got up at 8, had amazing cinnamon rolls, opened presents, and went to church.  Afterward, Candra came back over, then we had a lunch of frozen pizza (actually really good!) and then went to dinner at our friend's home.  Again, such a nice time.  When we got back, we played a few Minute-to-Win-It games.

Breakfast

To Valerie from: Taylor Lautner, Justin Beiber and... the S'MORES :-) Oh, Santa...

Before the ransacking

Asher likes that Santa guy

Valerie opening such an awesome gift- I dont know how to use it, but I will learn this week!

Asher's favorite gift- a $3 frog with spiders inside from the Joke Shop at the Harry Potter Park

Matt's awesome sockies

Cookies for dinner with friends

 

Marshmallow toss- Matt won with 6 in 60 seconds into the target

 

Paired-up ornament transfer using no hands

Hula Hoop with glow stick competition

Santa's reindeer contest

Finally, it was Skype time with Matt's family.  It really was a blessed, wonderful day.  We are so grateful that God loves us so much that He sent His son that we would be able to find our way back to him.  What a gift.  What a glory, indeed.

Merry Christmas, Everyone.