Christmas Season 2011

We had a great holiday season this year. Here are some of the highlights and a ton of pictures.

OUR ALMOST CHRISTMAS CARD

I love receiving Christmas cards, and it has always been a goal to send them out ourselves, but it has never happened. This year we came closer than ever before and even took a Christmas family photo with the timer and tripod, then life happened and the Christmas cards did not. But here is what you would have received from our family to yours. Maybe next year.

ICE SKATING AT BUSHNELL PARK

Rick wasn't going to make it home for Family Home Evening one Monday night because of a late OR case so we meet him downtown. Bushnell park has free ice skating, including the skates, until February. Wyatt had a great time and Owen desperately wanted to try, but got to watch from the side with me and Clara.

SOME CUTE KIDS

December was so warm we had several rainstorms and Owen insisted on wearing these boots everywhere all month, matching was obviously not necessary.

These Santa diapers made me laugh all month long.

Clara was so cute at our ward Christmas party in this dress from her Aunt Lisa.

CHRISTMAS EVE (December 23rd in our case)

Rick has been on an intense service the past couple weeks (St Francis White for those who care) that started the Monday before Christmas. We got Rick's schedule the day before the rotation started and saw he was working literally every hour the boys would be awake on Christmas Day (4am-7pm), and the four days after Christmas. We considered having a 2am Christmas, but at the last minute (on the 23rd) we decided to make a plea to Santa to visit our house one day early so we could celebrate with Rick. This meant a second trip to the mall to see him to make sure it would be okay (with an hour wait both times and no pictures to show for it), fortunately he agreed to our request. Wyatt was in school through the 23rd so when he got home the Christmas Eve traditions began.

Making cookies for Santa

Making food for the reindeer

Setting out the reindeer food

Opening Christmas pjs

Showing off their new jammies by the tree

Setting out Santa's cookies

Rick went to work at 6:30pm and got home the next morning, our Christmas, at 10:30am, this plan was pretty complicated and did not allow any time for Rick to sleep, he is such a trooper.

CHRISTMAS DAY (Dec 24th)

Santa must have known we would have to wait for Rick to get home so he wrapped the doorways to our living room so there would be no peeking and Rick could see the kids faces for the big reveal.

It was a long wait for Rick to get home, Wyatt was up and ready at 5am. The best waiter by far was this sweet girl.

We filled the time eating cinnamon rolls and watching every Christmas special ever made in the basement.

Rick finally got home, built a fire, and took a picture of what Santa had done.

The boys got to burst through the wrapping paper. That video is on Rick's ipod, it is awesome, maybe I will post it later.

Fighting over who gets to hold Clara.

Christmas Dinner, Owen was pretty excited to be invited to the actual table instead of the high chair.

CHRISTMAS DAY (the real deal, Dec 25th)

I really missed Rick, it was weird to have Christmas Day without him, but it was awesome to be more relaxed and actually take time to really ponder the Savior's birth on Christmas Day.

We left grandparent presents under the tree so the kids still had a few things to open. Clara with her gifts.

Santa brought us a generator so we would never have to relive this week.

Wyatt's wish came true and he got a harmonica, like his Dad's. Did you know Rick plays the harmonica? He is pretty good.

Owen not wanting his picture taken

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Wyatt was determined, and this year both little boys made it until midnight. I cannot say the same of the big boy at our house. I told Wyatt when I was growing up we would bang on pots and pans at midnight and boy did he like that idea.

It has been a great year for us and a great holiday season!!!