I could hardly sleep, I was so excited. That has never gone away with all the growing up I've done in the last 10 years. Christmas still gets me giddy like a child. I woke up at 6:00 a.m. and laid in bed until 7:30 when I got up (before Devin) so I could shower and get ready, and when he woke up, we opened presents while watching the rest of "A Christmas Story". It was so fun to have Christmas morning just the 2 of us! We had a blast. Unfortunately, I only got a few (bad) pictures of Devin, and he didn't think to take any of me. We were having too much fun! Not important though.
it's popcorn seasoning. he thought it was baking soda. (that's right. salt and vinegar popcorn seasoning! yum.)
a hilarious and also really cute book about monkeys. and love.
playing with my present
Next, we headed to my parents for breakfast and to watch my family open their gifts, and do a little gift exchange there. When we showed up, Kayla and Kyle were both in footie pajamas! It was hilarious. They are so weird. Also so glad that Kelli and Sean came down! I love those guys!!!
see what I mean? so weird.
kyle got a letterman jacket! he's the man! I can't believe he's turning 16 in a month!
After that, we headed to Grandpa Willis and Virginia Rae's to celebrate with Mom Ashby's side of the family. Grandpa told an awesome story about how we all came to be here that afternoon, and how it all really started with Temple Square and all the time he spent there growing up. Very cool!
kaden and our cousins' son, Jude.
Addi being a weirdo, haha! She's hilarious.
sitting with Vicki's sister, Aunt Karri.
glow stick bug masks from Grandpa Willis and Virginia Rae!
one of the coolest Christmas trees, plus some glowing kids.
Last, we headed back to our own house, but upstairs, for a party with my Mom's side of the family. We had more food (we may have ate our weight in christmas food over the last 2 days...), opened more presents, and had a little program which consisted of my cousin's 3 year old (cutest kid!) singing, and then Grandma playing the accordion (which is much better when it's not at 10:30 p.m.!)! Both of which I couldn't resist recording!
Kelli and Sean are always cuddling and kissing, and Kayla and Kyle are constantly... being weird (like in that picture above, on the couch?) and they tease Devin and I about not being all over each other. PDA - not our style. Oh... my family :) haha i love them.
my uncle Tim always gives grandma (his mother in law) crazy gifts for christmas. past presents have been a bra with pockets (with a pirate skull patch on it), satan pajamas (grandma had meant satin pajamas, but spelled it wrong.) this year, he got her some perfume, which actually smelled good, but it had a skull and crossbones on it, which made her nervous. it's so funny to watch her open gifts from tim, because she treats it like it's going to explode or something.
Bennett! The cutest little 3 year old! My cousin's son.
Lyndsey and Ben singing some songs for us!
Probably the coolest gift we got this entire Christmas came from Grandma and Grandpa's recent trip to Egypt and Jerusalem. All of the men in the family got a little container made of olive wood (from an olive tree in Jerusalem) filled with consecrated oil from Jerusalem (which we use for blessings in the church [see WE BELIEVE tab]). It's such a small and simple thing, but it has so much meaning to us, especially coming from Jerusalem, where the Savior lived, and taught.
Another exciting thing? Devin got me a camcorder! It's something we have both really wanted. I would love to start taking more videos of things, and it will be so great to document our children, and also for our trip in May! That was our big present this year (along with a potential vacuum that we can hopefully get in the next month or so.) My parents also got us a stay at the Cedar Breaks Lodge near Cedar City so we can go ski Brian Head! We are going in February and I can't wait! It will be a lot of fun to get away, even if just for one short trip. It was awesome of my parents to do that for us!
See what I mean about Christmas being so good to us? We were absolutely spoiled this year with so many great things, but rather than focusing on that, I was even more excited to be with our family.
I have said a lot lately that I am so glad that we had a busy Christmas, rushing from house to house all day long to be with all our family, but we are so lucky to be able to. Not everyone gets the privilege of having all their family around (both mine and devin's extended families live right in the valley mostly!) It's a huge blessing to have everyone close, especially around this time. I loved it! I love getting to know all of Devin's cousins, aunts and uncles. They're all so great!
Christmas came and went just like that! I put a lot of time and preparation into it, and it was over faster than I thought! Already planning things for next year!
No comments:
Post a Comment