Preparations
When we returned from our trip to California for Thanksgiving, the first order of business was to decorate the house for Christmas.
Picking out the tree -- it was cold!
Decorating the tree -- Oliver has gotten over his aversion to the camera 
Our snow-village collection. We had to put a moratorium on buying new pieces a few years ago so they'd fit on top of the piano.
Our complete Hallmark caroling snowmen collection (I only had to buy one on ebay). It's nice to have some decorations that the kids are allowed to touch. Unfortunately Hallmark didn't make much of an effort to coordiate the music so when they are all playing at once it is quite a mess.
Oliver did a little more Christmas craftingParties
Scott and I went to two dress-up Christmas parties this year, although only got pictures of our outfits from the first. I'm not sure how this tradition started, or how it could ever end, but my suggestion that maybe next year we actually dress nicely was quickly shot down when Darin & Suzy upped the ante with their full ghostbusters outfits.
The search for the perfect white elephant gifts is a year-long effort. The 3D kitten clock and the festive duck family were big hits this year.
The Tanners had their annual sub-for-santa party and this year raised a record amount of money for a Burmese refuge family. We went to walmart and they organized us into teams and everyone got a list of gifts to buy and an envelope of money and the race was on to finish first and use as close to all the money as possible. Scott and I took home the 2nd place trophy for our holiday sweater vest outfits.
A few days later we took our annual outing up to Salt Lake to see the Christmas lights at temple square.
It was cold.
We attempted to get a Christmas card picture taken (too bad -- missed that boat this year).
We took Trax to get some dinner
and tried once again to spark some interest betweek Jack & June.
For the next party we splurged and flew the whole family to California to see the Underwoods at the beach.
It was amazing to get on the plane in the snow and get off to the warm ocean breeze. It's been a while since we've all flown anywhere, so that was very exciting. But after a crazy-hectic-almost-missed-our-flight-were-it-not-for-it-being-delayed-10-minutes experience at the airport on the way out, it was up for debate whether or not it was better than driving (I still say yes, Scott says no -- I say next time we drive I'll be behind the wheel and he can entertain the kids. Then we can decide).
It was so fun to see everyone (it's been a while) and the food was good and presents fun and the kids had a great time getting reacquainted with their second cousins (not to mention the fact that the boys' xmas lists grew after seeing Ethan's super cool remote control car).
Tuesday night we went up to Paul & Beckys for the annual Zackrison extended family Christmas party. We were glad the party was postponed (although not glad Grandma was sick) so we were able to make it. June loved their new Leonburger puppy.
On Christmas eve once everyone was back from their last minute errands and we'd delivered all our neighborhood goodie plates, we piled into the car and went up to Thanksgivig Point to see the lights.
It was an impressive display and (when they looked up from their DS's) the kids really loved it. After the lights we went to PF Changs for dinner. This is the second year in a row we've done that, so I guess you could call it a tradition, although I'm not sure we intended it to be -- it's just one of the only place around open that night. It's nice to not have to cook & clean up before the Big Night.
We haven't really done this in the past, but this year we did outfit the kids with new xmas PJs. They were all pretty hyper and excited on Christmas eve and had a pretty hard time settling down (which makes for an even longer night for Santa). The jammies got good use, though, since on Christmas day no one ever got dressed (and at 2pm some of us are pushing a 2nd day of jammie-wearing -- although I'm still holding out hope for a shower).
Santa came!
Brenden's Christmas list read "Surprise me!". Oliver's list had toys from every commercial, catalog, and infomercial he's seen for the past month. Highlights from Santa this year were the Wii, a remote control car like Ethans, Webkinz, a baby doll stroller, a waffle maker, an ebelskivers pan (like Ana & Darin got too!), clothes, shoes, pedal board & case.
Other favorites were the favorite things package (thanks for putting it together Rachel!), the new bike & monster truck stuff from Gma & Gpa Z, the globe from Zack & Ana (we can finally get some perspective on just how spread out the family is), the books from Stephen & Mei Li (they're being a bit overshadowed today, but will come in handy when school gets back in and the boys are back in their reading habit), and the handmade beauties from Annee. Thank you to everyone for their efforts and generosity.
After getting a bit stir crazy at home on Christmas afternoon, we took the new inner tubes out for a run on the sledding hills (turns out snow pants fit very well over jammies so still no need to get dressed!). Then back home for cafe rio style pork tacos and early (ish) to bed.
The house is a huge mess and I'm still in my jammies but we pulled it off and are so grateful for some extra time together these days. We're especially looking forward to having the Wileys here next week for a visit and extending our Christmas celebration even more!
There. I did it.
The search for the perfect white elephant gifts is a year-long effort. The 3D kitten clock and the festive duck family were big hits this year.
The Tanners had their annual sub-for-santa party and this year raised a record amount of money for a Burmese refuge family. We went to walmart and they organized us into teams and everyone got a list of gifts to buy and an envelope of money and the race was on to finish first and use as close to all the money as possible. Scott and I took home the 2nd place trophy for our holiday sweater vest outfits.
A few days later we took our annual outing up to Salt Lake to see the Christmas lights at temple square.
It was cold.
We attempted to get a Christmas card picture taken (too bad -- missed that boat this year).
We took Trax to get some dinner
and tried once again to spark some interest betweek Jack & June.For the next party we splurged and flew the whole family to California to see the Underwoods at the beach.
It was amazing to get on the plane in the snow and get off to the warm ocean breeze. It's been a while since we've all flown anywhere, so that was very exciting. But after a crazy-hectic-almost-missed-our-flight-were-it-not-for-it-being-delayed-10-minutes experience at the airport on the way out, it was up for debate whether or not it was better than driving (I still say yes, Scott says no -- I say next time we drive I'll be behind the wheel and he can entertain the kids. Then we can decide).
It was so fun to see everyone (it's been a while) and the food was good and presents fun and the kids had a great time getting reacquainted with their second cousins (not to mention the fact that the boys' xmas lists grew after seeing Ethan's super cool remote control car).Tuesday night we went up to Paul & Beckys for the annual Zackrison extended family Christmas party. We were glad the party was postponed (although not glad Grandma was sick) so we were able to make it. June loved their new Leonburger puppy.
Pre-christmas (aka Christmas Eve)
(That P is a stretch, I know)
(That P is a stretch, I know)
On Christmas eve once everyone was back from their last minute errands and we'd delivered all our neighborhood goodie plates, we piled into the car and went up to Thanksgivig Point to see the lights.
It was an impressive display and (when they looked up from their DS's) the kids really loved it. After the lights we went to PF Changs for dinner. This is the second year in a row we've done that, so I guess you could call it a tradition, although I'm not sure we intended it to be -- it's just one of the only place around open that night. It's nice to not have to cook & clean up before the Big Night.
Pajamas
We haven't really done this in the past, but this year we did outfit the kids with new xmas PJs. They were all pretty hyper and excited on Christmas eve and had a pretty hard time settling down (which makes for an even longer night for Santa). The jammies got good use, though, since on Christmas day no one ever got dressed (and at 2pm some of us are pushing a 2nd day of jammie-wearing -- although I'm still holding out hope for a shower).Paper
Santa came!
Presents
Brenden's Christmas list read "Surprise me!". Oliver's list had toys from every commercial, catalog, and infomercial he's seen for the past month. Highlights from Santa this year were the Wii, a remote control car like Ethans, Webkinz, a baby doll stroller, a waffle maker, an ebelskivers pan (like Ana & Darin got too!), clothes, shoes, pedal board & case.
Other favorites were the favorite things package (thanks for putting it together Rachel!), the new bike & monster truck stuff from Gma & Gpa Z, the globe from Zack & Ana (we can finally get some perspective on just how spread out the family is), the books from Stephen & Mei Li (they're being a bit overshadowed today, but will come in handy when school gets back in and the boys are back in their reading habit), and the handmade beauties from Annee. Thank you to everyone for their efforts and generosity.
After getting a bit stir crazy at home on Christmas afternoon, we took the new inner tubes out for a run on the sledding hills (turns out snow pants fit very well over jammies so still no need to get dressed!). Then back home for cafe rio style pork tacos and early (ish) to bed.
The house is a huge mess and I'm still in my jammies but we pulled it off and are so grateful for some extra time together these days. We're especially looking forward to having the Wileys here next week for a visit and extending our Christmas celebration even more!
There. I did it.
5 comments:
Looks like a pretty amazing Christmas! It's no wonder you had no time to blog! Your apron looks lovely and your kids are so grown up! Thanks for the updates.
Ahh sooo good!! Such a wonderful post to read. The photos are awesome!! My BFF June is getting better and better at her camera work. Thank you so much for doing the post. It is very much appreciated!!
P.S. Your Christmas party outfits turned out great! Is there also a photo of last year we can enjoy? I don't think that ever made it on the blog?
Someone else how knows how yummy ebelskivers are! They are a Christmas tradition at our house. Looks like you had a great Christmas, LOVE the party outfits!
Sarah-
Too bad you did not call me for some consultation with your Christmas dress up. Your outfit was almost right on. Although you were lacking the red sequin scrunchy for your pony tail and blue eye shadow. A lady in our church here has that same outfit. If you feel like dressing it down a little just change the skirt to some faded black stirrup pants.
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