Christmas Vacation

We spent the week of Christmas in California with my family. We had such a grand time and, as usual, we are a little bummed to have to get back into the swing of things. How is it that such trips are looked forward to so much for so long and then over so quickly?

We had quite the adventure getting to Califo. With delayed flights, missed connections, change of destination, and lost luggage to boot. We didn’t get to my parent’s house until after 3:00 AM. But it could have been much worse, because at least we made it to CA the next day and at least M was happy the whole flight, even though it was WAAAAAAAAY past his bedtime. I was so worried he would cause a ruckus for the other passengers, but he was very cheerful for both legs. Thank goodness.

We very much enjoyed getting out of the cold and soaking up the eighty degree weather. Prior to our trip we hadn’t seen much sunshine in weeks. We spent a good amount of time just basking like lizards in the backyard/sitting in the hot tub. It’s amazing how much better I feel when the weather is lovely. Of course the dogs all had to join us. They always do:

And the Bug enjoyed getting lots of cuddle time with gramma and grampa and cousin. There is just something so sweet about seeing your parents love on your kiddo.

The highlight of our trip was celebrating Christmas together, naturally. We have this tradition that we always get to open one present on Christmas eve and it’s always pajamas. This year the boys all got matching Superman jammies! Mason’s even had a cape! I love it ever so much:  


Spencer and I had so much fun playing Santa. I have always gotten so excited at Christmas that I can’t sleep, but Christmas has been especially exciting since having a kiddo. I stayed awake for hours just waiting for morning to come. There is something so magical about seeing the holiday through M’s eyes. He was enchanted by all of it.

Christmas morning we got to skype with Sister White! EEE! She looked so pretty and happy and it was so darn good to see her face. It made me so homesick for her though.

We didn’t start opening presents until after we had finished talking with Chelsetto, much later than our usual 6:00 AM or earlier start to the festivities.

In our family, we like to write funny/unique gift tags. I know it’s super weird, but it’s our tradition and I love it so. They often make me laugh.
We also like to wrap in funny boxes and have been known to save a choice empty pampers or tampons boxes for just such an occasion. This one made me laugh because it was for my dad and he is very into manly-type activities like football and cooking outdoors. He loves to talk about man cards. I guess you’d have to know him, but it made me chuckle anyway.

See? Gifts to the boys from Dad:

He very much enjoys picking out manly presents for the men in his life. Tools! ARGGG!

Mason’s Santa presents were this circus tent and popcorn popper. Spencer had a popcorn popper just like that one when he was little and he was very insistent that that was what he wanted to get for M for Christmas. M was rather enamored with his tent. We suspected he would be considering how much he loves hiding in various places around the house.

I love seeing him use his special stocking.


The kiddos loved all of their presents so much that they had to be persuaded to stop playing with their newest toy to unwrap the next present. It was very fun to watch M get excited about each gift he unwrapped.

M playing with a Noah’s ark from Gma&Gpa White:

The kiddos got these horses from Gramma and Grampa as well. These little ponies were definitely a big hit. The kiddos loved bouncing about on them, and I have to admit, I took M’s pony for a spin or two around the living room as well. I must say it was a LOT of fun. I thought about posting a video of me bounding along on one, but perhaps some other day.

The men (including Mason for part of the time) enjoyed watching the BYU bowl game. They so love to watch football together. This picture of Grandpa in his recliner and M in his cousin’s recliner KILLS me. I shall frame it.   

We did a lot of other fun things, but this post is getting fairly long, so I think I’ll break it up. Thanks so much, family, for the good times and fun memories. We love you all lots and lots and lots! 

You Know Dancer and Prancer

The dance we did for our ward talent show yesterday.

Pretties

M Bug so loves the “pretties” all around this time of year. The first thing he asks to do when he wakes up is plug in our Christmas tree. He loves to point out the lights on all the houses as we’re driving around. He and Spence both have a special place in their heart for Christmas lights. Spencer is always talking about how he wants to have a more impressive display in our yard and on our house someday. So both boys were in heaven when we went on a stroll in Caldwell to see all the lights, even though it was FREEZING.  It was a pretty spectacular display; we kind of felt like we were in a postcard. We’re always on the hunt for good places to look at Christmas lights. Hopefully we can find a few more spots this year. 

A Christmas Visit

Last week, we decided to make a quick trip to spend some time with our Natalie and family. The weather was kind to us, and we were able to make it there and back without any delays or problems. We had so much fun, but then again we always do when we make these kinds of trips. This one was especially special because it was kind of an early Christmas celebration for us to get to spend time with people we love so much.

M was so enamored with this snow globe. He would say “again again” before all of the snow had even finished falling.

And OF COURSE we had to open presents, because there was no way we could have waited until Christmas. We love to tease Natalie because she cannot wait for surprises. Last year, she told us, “You guys I got M the cutest thing ever, you’re gonna love it but I’m not going to tell you what it is.”

Two seconds later…

“It’s a sweater!”

Haha. I love her so much. She is always doing things like this and it makes us laugh every time. We quote, “It’s a sweater!” all the time in our house.

M was more than happy to open presents. In fact, he went from lap to lap opening present after present whether or not they were for him. Oh man, Christmas day is going to be SO fun this year! I can’t wait!

Natty got M a Singing Elmo for Christmas and M was rather in love. Though he has actually played with him a lot more since we got home than when he first opened him. I think largely because he was too excited to be opening presents to enjoy his new toy to the fullest. But he is particularly fond of feeding Singing Elmo his microphone. As I think I’ve mentioned before, Elmo is his current obsession. 

Nat and I both got each other scarves this year!

Matchy matchy photos :). Though I wish the lighting was better, I still love them so much. It’s so hard to take good Christmas-lighting photos. 

We got to help decorate the Christmas tree and Spence was less than pleased to discover a UTAH ORNAMENT! GASP! He refused to put it on the tree.

Nat pulled this hat out of the closet, or maybe M did and we bribed M with pretzel goldfish to take his picture wearing it. He will totally say “cheese” if it will earn him a treat.

Of course we took a thousand pictures. As per usual.

This one is one of my favorites:

I love that they are making the exact same face! Natalie’s roommate pointed out this other face that they both make where they kind of roll their eyes and tip their head back and kind of growl. It’s sort of an exasperated expression. I have seen both of them do it, but I had never realized the similarity until Nat’s roommate pointed it out. Somehow I’ll have to get a picture of them making that face too.

M enjoyed sooooo much attention. We spent most of our time sitting around just watching him play.

The next day we took the train up to Temple Square to see Nat again and to look at the lights. But when we got off the train it was snowing pretty hard, so we didn’t get to see the lights after all (M was less than pleased with being snowed on, poor kid). But it all worked out because we got to have dinner together at Kneaders and just visit and we had a lovely time.

The day after that, we got together with Spencer’s family to watch the Christmas devotional. It was so fun to watch Mason playing with his cousins. He’s lucky to have so many cousins his age. The kiddos all piled into a play tent for a picture.

We also got to meet our future brother in law! EEEEE! I should have gotten a picture of the happy couple.

We’re excited to go back soon for a wedding!