Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas 2009

We had such a great time spending Christmas with the Cromwell's this year. We all gathered on Christmas Eve and had a wonderful Steak dinner, a Christmas Eve program and our Special Delivery from Santa! (Our Christmas Pj's) The next morning came early and the kids were excited to see what Santa had brought them this year. Julia was shy as she crept the stairs and into the living room. I don't think she quite knew what to make of all of it. But once she realized she could actually open the presents she was ready to go. Like any 2 yr old, she wanted to play with everything she opened instead of opening the rest of her gifts. Our stay was short but well enjoyed. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by Family!! Julia loved playing with all her cousins....she kept saying to me "play with friends, mommy, play with friends."
A few days later we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Mott's to finish the Christmas celebration. The second go around Julia was ready for the gifts and tore right into them. It was exciting to see her light up each time she opened a gift! Thanks to both sets of Grandparents for making Christmas so magical for Julia. We enjoyed every minute of it!!

Temple Square

Last night we took a trip up to Salt Lake to go see the lights on Temple Square. Note to self: Never go on a Sunday night this late in the month of December!! It was pandemonium, as Layne would say! So many people but worth it. Julia was more interested in seeing all the water falls and fountains than the lights and kept wanting to get out and touch the water. Oh well, the mind of a 2 year old. It was cold but it didn't seem to bother her. She kept saying she wanted to see baby Jesus so mission accomplished. Went inside for our potty break and they had all the pictures of Christ around the visitors center. She kept telling me she saw Jesus and what he was doing in each picture. She kept looking at the one with Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane and was telling me 'Jesus praying.' So poignant, when that is the reason why Jesus was born!! It was wonderful to be a part of all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. To experience once again Christmas through the eyes of a child. May I always remember to do that!

My little Helper

We spent all day yesterday making all kinds of goodies for our neighbors and home teachers. It was a long day but the results where so yummy! I said to Julia we were going to make some treats and she grabs the nearest chair to pull over to the counter to help me! This happens each time we make anything, she is always there to help stir or eat the batter. I hope this can become a Christmas Tradition for us. I always remember my grandma and mom making certain treats for the holidays and remembering what they would make each year. Just the smell of Chex Mix will bring back such great memories from Christmases past! Love to reminisce about Christmas and Family traditions!

Decorating the Tree

Julia loves to help me do anything new and/or exciting. We put up the Christmas tree a few weeks ago and she couldn't keep her hands off of it. She loved to see the lights and tinsel. She even helped put up the ornaments on the bottom. She loves to sit underneath the tree and just touch the ornaments within reach. Each day so looks at the tree and says hi or something to or about the Mickey and Minnie ornaments hanging up. She loves to tell you we have 2 Little Drummer Boys too. Oh, to see Christmas through her eyes.....so exciting and new. She loves to sing Jingle Bells! Usually each day while she goes down for her nap you can hear her singing it. She asks to listen to Josh Groban's Drummer Boy in the car over and over again. We have recorded Christmas Specials off the TV for her to watch and she just loves the "Grinch" and Mickey and Minnie Mouse story , Gift of the Magi. We even saw Santa today riding through the neighbor hood on a big fire truck she ran to the balcony and was just so beside herself with excitement. Christmas morning should be a blast!