Merry Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas! This year has seemed like a nice relaxing Christmas season for me. I started my Christmas shopping early and had it mostly done far in advance of the big day. I get to enjoy the company of visiting family, but they are not staying at my house so I don't feel the need to do extra cleaning or cooking. The weather is being fairly mild for this time of year (despite my children's wishes that it would snow). The kids even made it easy by not asking for anything too big or extravagent and they have been delighted with what they did receive. Cody woke up at 6am, but instead of coming in to wake us up, he just went to the bathroom and then waited in his room until we got up 30 minutes later. We let Cody and Abi open their stockings while we waited for Kaitlyn to wake up. We had a delightful morning letting the kids open presents and play with them. Then we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Burt's house for a big breakfast and more present giving/opening. Next we headed home so the kids could enjoy their presents a bit more before we headed to church for Sacrament meeting. Church was just the one hour today so people could spend more time with family. Later tonight we will go back to the Burt's home for Christmas dinner where we will eat the final ham from our pig we butchered earlier this year.

I love this time of year when family gathers and we are able to focus on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It amazes me that the Lord loves us so much he was willing to suffer for our sins and die for us so that we can enjoy the bennefits of resurrection and repentance. May we all take the time to thank Heavenly Father for sending his Son, and Jesus for his atonement this Christmas.

Happy Kaitlyn

Showing off their chocolate oranges.

Cody with his new Star Wars figures.


Abi making a necklace from her new beads.