Christmas came and went really fast this year! I don't feel like I got to do everything I wanted to do this Christmas, but we were able to enjoy the holiday season. Carson really started to understand what Christmas was this year. He was so excited any time he saw Santa Claus, he enjoyed saying "Merry Christmas....hohoho!" and he knew which presents were his under the Christmas tree. Carson was also able to recognize Baby Jesus and got so excited about the lights and everything to do with Christmas. This was Jaedyn's first Christmas and she didn't really care to much about everything going on, but did like eating the wrapping paper Christmas morning. Kelsi was so excited this Christmas and kept adding items to her list almost every day up until Christmas. Kelsi earned money this year and was so thoughtful about buying gifts for her friends and family. We also enjoyed some holiday fun by going to the Larry Miller Carol sing along - Angie wasn't too sure about this at first, but once we got there it was REALLY fun. Larry Miller's dream is to fill the Delta Center (it will always be the Delta Center to me) with carolers. He provided free soft drinks, Hot Dogs, passes for the Speedway, and a ticket for free popcorn at his movie theatre. Santa Claus and the Jazz Bear were there also. Next year I hope we can plan a little sooner and get some more members of my family there.
We also went up to This is the Place Heritage Park for their Candlelight Christmas. We always enjoy going up there, and even though it was so cold, we enjoyed all the crafts and displays they had. We got to see Kris Kringle and his reindeer and enjoy a train ride.
We didn't make it to see the Temple lights exactly. We did drive around downtown and see the lights - so I guess it sort of counts. We also drove around to some of the neighborhoods around town to see some lights.
We also went to a live Nativity in Alpine. All the Swanson family went together. It was such a bitter cold night that we had to bundle every one up. The nativity had a camel, donkey, street vendors, sheep, goats and of course Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. The Navtivity display is very neat to see and gets you into the Christmas spirit.
Christmas morning didn't get started too early at our house. Kelsi isn't a morning person (I think I have had to wake her up every Christmas morning since she was born) and the two little kids didn't really understand what morning it was, so we got to sleep in. I guess we better enjoy it while we can because I am sure in just a few years Carson and Jaedyn will be getting up bright and early Christmas morning! The kids opened their presents, we ate breakfast casserole and sweet rolls and then tried to tame the pile of wrapping paper. Grandma Honey and Papa came over with gifts for the kids. My Dad was so sweet and on his own got charm bracelets for all the girls. He is such a sweet Dad! We went over to my mom and dad's house for Christmas dinner. Everyone was there and the kids had so much fun playing with each other. We decided to do a gift exchange just for the kids and that turned out really well, since Christmas is all about the kids. I got spoiled this year for Christmas and got my new car (a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica) and Paul's present was to go to Yuma Arizona (well - that was really a present for us all). Next year I hope to be more on top of things and start some new family traditions as well as keep some of our old traditions alive- I am still trying to get a hang of all of this! Some of the traditions we were able to do was the baking of the Christmas cookies for Santa Claus, a book and Pajamas from Mom and Dad on Christmas eve. As our kids get older I hope that they will enjoy their Holidays as much as I enjoyed mine when I was growing up.
1 comment:
you truly are the cutest mom! your kids are going to have so many good memories!
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