It's Christmas Time!

Wowsers! This month could not have been busier, or gone by faster. Corey and I tried hard to get all of our shopping done early so we could just enjoy the season, but somehow we were busy despite our efforts. Next year, we will just have to try even harder. I really can't attribute the madness to any one thing, just lots of different things. My little camera strap business was as busy as I could keep up with while trying to do all the other things I had my hands in. Our ward put on an extravagant and amazing Christmas Party this year, literally re-creating an 'Old Nauvoo' in our Stake Center's cultural hall. I helped with decorating a bit and was also a caroler that evening. It was really spectacular I thought, and a lot of people worked really hard to make it the memorable evening it was. My kids had a blast going to all the little shops, spending their pennies and making things. So cool! That kicked off our month of Christmas.

We decided to get a live Christmas tree this year, which started out as a really good idea. We didn't exactly go out to the forest and chop down our family tree, but we did pick one out at our local Costco, tie it to the car, and bring it home. Oh, the smell! It was amazing. I've done candles before, but nothing can really replicate that true pine smell. We thought we had a handle on the water situation, checking it every couple of days or so. Nope, wrong. We now know that if the water runs out...even once, it's OVER. It's not like with a houseplant, where it wilts a little, but you can miraculously save it with a little water and a couple of hours. No, a tree with no water is a dead tree, and that's exactly what we ended up with, two whole weeks before Christmas. We were afraid to turn the lights on much after that, since we basically had ornaments and lights hanging on kindling in our front room. It was terrible. And there was hardly any smell left to boot. Lesson learned: water your Christmas tree, every single day.

Asher's preschool put on a Nativity program, which was very entertaining. Asher was a Wise Man, with a gift of gold for the baby Jesus. The kids all did a great job, but I think Asher was the most energetic and loud when it came to singing 'Feliz Navidad.' I don't know what it was, but his penchant for that song was undeniable. Every time we got into the car he wanted me to magically play it on the radio, and when it was on he wanted me to turn it up louder. He sang his little heart out at the program. I seriously LOVE watching my boy up there, and Asher's performances don't disappoint in the least.

We didn't have a white Christmas (darn it), but we did have one really good snow. We even went and bought the boys some snow pants and sleds! When it snows here, it's usually gone by noon, but this stuff was the real deal, so we took full advantage. We all had so much fun, just sliding down a small hill at a nearby park. And it was so beautiful. I am really crossing my fingers that we get another good storm!

Most of Corey's family was in town for Christmas. We were able to see Adam and Kayla for a few days, and his parents were here too. We played and visited. Corey's dad made his signature Chex Mix (in very large quantities), which every one devoured(Beck loves the stuff), and his mom made all kinds of snacky foods for the holidays. Our kids love it when family is around, the more the merrier, so it made the holidays special for them.

Christmas morning was a treat. Santa had eaten one of Asher's decorated sugar cookies(with mounds of frosting on it...Asher style), and there were surprises waiting for both boys. The boys had very different present-opening styles. Asher wanted to rip through each one, toss aside the gift and get on to the next. Beckett was happy just to mangle the bow (he's been a nightmare for any bow adorning a gift under our tree) on top, but was pretty proud of himself when he'd finally get to the gift inside. It was fun to watch the boys. My super crafty sister-in-law, Danna made these fantastic capes for the boys. They are the cutest thing, and Beck tromped around in his for quite a while Christmas morning. Asher wanted to know when we can have Christmas again. In the afternoon, we headed up to Aaron and Meagan's for some family time and amazing New Mexican food. Yummy!

For New Years, our friends Jon and Bella had us over for games and dinner. The kids made it to 10 o'clock before we decided to pull the plug on their madness and head home. Corey fell asleep soon after we came home and I was reading in bed when I heard the fireworks going off outside. Over the years I have come to regard New Year's Eve as something celebrated by high schoolers, singles, and people who live in Big Cities. Am I wrong? I do love the chance to set some new goals for the year though, a chance to begin fresh and do a little better.

So, with that I'm sending out a big Happy New Year! Here's to 2011!!