Christmas 2013

This year our Christmas was calm, unhurried and happy. 
 It was perfect. 

Last year, Christmas was stressful and crazy and really not as enjoyable as it should be because I was stressed and unprepared for it (I had good reason for not being prepared but still...)  Instead of enjoying December doing fun Christmas activities with my family, I was worrying and working to get ready.  After that experience I vowed to be prepared well in advance so I could enjoy the season.  Last January I marked deadlines on my calendar for the major things I wanted to complete before Christmas so that we could enjoy activities with our children.  It worked!  We attended parties, we baked Christmas treats, we enjoyed visits with family, we were able to serve others, we sang carols, looked at Christmas lights, watched movies and just enjoyed being together.

Santa and Mrs. Clause

This is the first Christmas that we have not traveled to see family or had family come to see us for Christmas, but we were lucky to have a few fun visitors before Christmas.  My brother Nathan came for a few days and we enjoyed hiking, playing at the park, and a few outings with him.  Then, Aunt Pika and Uncle Pato came for a few days.  They went with us to see "Frozen" which the girls loved!  We also enjoyed playing with Pika's amazing dress up collection, cooking and baking together and walks in the beautiful weather.

Mesa Temple Lights

Hiking at Thunderbird

Seth, Spud and Nathan at the Park

Raclette Dinner with Pika and Pato

All she wants for Christmas...

Sleeping under the Christmas Tree

On Christmas Eve we prepared our traditional German dinner.  At the girls request we put on a very low-key Nativity and sang Christmas songs before going to bed.  Christmas morning was just as we hoped it would be.  We carefully chose the gifts for the children and kept it very simple  They truly enjoyed what they received.  We spent the day playing games together, napping, and just relaxing before having dinner with the Lovells.

The Nativity play

Spud loves to open gifts

Lou's bike

Curly's Doll

The weekend following Christmas we had a fire roast and Fisher and the girls slept out froze.

 

That wraps up our wonderful December.  Here is to another great year!