Christmas

I was especially excited for this Christmas. Although we had planned to keep things very simple and small, I was excited to have a week and a half off of work, spend time with family, and enjoy the experience of Lucy's first Christmas. Before the school had their winter break, Santa came to the day care and Lucy got her first Christmas gift. She had no idea what was going on, obviously, but she did enjoy pulling Santa's beard and liked looking at his white hair. I was also really excited about going to church the Sunday before Christmas, just so I could dress Lucy in her Christmas dress. :) It was a little big, but it was so cute and she looked so pretty in her red and gold. It's funny to think of the small things that really excite me these days. Clearly I have no life outside of motherhood. That Sunday evening, my sister Jen and her family came up to spend the next few days with us for Christmas. It was so fun to have them here for three consecutive days. When they arrived, her girls were still in their Christmas dresses, and they looked so cute. Charlotte and Lucy were almost twins. They had the same look, but a different dress and cardigan.

We spent Christmas Eve with the Olsen family and enjoyed a nice candle lit dinner and a beautiful presentation of the nativity. All the kids are always excited to dress up and act out the nativity. This year was special, we had two Mary's and a mummy. :) haha As always, it was perfectly done and the kids all looked very cute. After we finished the traditional festivities with the Olsen's we were off to be with my family. We opened our Christmas pajamas and got all ready for bed. Once Lucy was down, we were too, ready for Santa to come!

We had a wonderful Christmas, although we didn't do too much for each other, or for Lucy, I feel like we were very spoiled. Our big gift this year was a Silhouette Cameo. Matt and I had been talking about getting one for a while now, and decided it would be a good combined gift this year. We opened it early so we could make gift tags and a few other things for the holidays. I am excited to make all sorts of crafts with it. Our sister craft days just went to a whole new level. haha Matt and I decided to fill each other's stockings and kept those little gifts a surprise, so opening those Christmas day was pretty exciting. Lucy got a bumbo for Christmas as well as lots of little toys that she can hold and put in her mouth. These days she wants to eat everything in sight. She got a few new cute outfits and her grandma and grandpa Francis started a savings account for her.

Christmas day we decided to all go see Les Mes. I knew this would be a really long movie, and was worried how Lucy would do, since she is more awake these days and doesn't like to be held all the time. Once again our little babe slept through the entire thing! The second the credits started rolling, she opened her little eyes and was very happy. We really lucked out, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.

We had a wonderful Christmas and we were sad to see it come and go so quickly. We are so thankful for our savior and for the gospel. Through all the hustle and bustle of the season, it is important to take time to remember the reason for this season. (I am full of cheesy lines right now. ha) We hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas too!