Christmas Review

We enjoyed the holiday season. It all seemed such a whirlwind because we moved, then we traveled, and we went straight into the festivities of Christmas. The months were full of fun, and a lot of concerts. 

I have always loved the holidays. I do find it is a time where my emotions are a little more raw, and I miss Charles terribly. I spent a lot of time in the evenings snuggled up on the couch watching Hallmark movies by myself, and sometimes with the kids. I never realized how many of the Hallmark shows were about widows and widowers. I guess finding new love as a widow is a great Christmas miracle storyline. I cried my brains out many times this season while watching movies. 

I love the holidays, but I am glad they are over for now. I am ready to regroup and pull myself together. We are heading into a new year and I look forward to that. I do love fresh starts and new beginnings. 

Here are some pictures from the holiday season... 

William was an angel in the Christmas Nativity they put on for our ward. My favorite thing was that Daniel was one of the narrators and he was narrating when William was acting out the words. It was adorable. William is the only boy in a class of girls... he might appreciate that fact more one day. 

Sammi and her friend, Alec, playing the piano before the program started. 

We took the kids to see Star Wars with a bunch of friends. If you haven't seen it, it was awesome. Everyone loved it. 

 Daniel is waiting to open his Christmas eve pajamas

 It is a tradition, and the kids love it.

 It was definitely a Star Wars themed year.

 Henry loves Mickey Mouse, he was excited.

 Playing with toys

 Daniel sporting his Jammies.

 Sharing.

 Sammi getting cuddled in her new blanket... so soft and fluffy. (The blanket, not Sammi.)

 Hooray for Christmas!

 My parents got the kids a speaker/disco ball. It is super awesome. We had a dance party with friends and it was a blast.

 My kids only request was for Legos... they got a bunch of Star Wars Legos.

 This was Daniel's dream gift. He was a happy child.

 They spent a full 12 hours just building on Christmas day. It is becoming a tradition to spend Christmas building Lego creations.

 Legos are way super cool now.

 Even Sammi scored some Legos... the Frozen set was adorable. Sammi is 14, but she still loves all things Disney Princess. She will never grow too old for Disney.

 We made loads of cookies and treats this year, and man I feel it! It was fun while it lasted though.

 We went and caroled and delivered treats.

 The kids got mugs and blankets from my parents for Christmas Eve. Henry would not let go of his mug.

 Cheese.

 Cuddled up in their new blankets and ready to watch the Polar Express.

It snowed all day Christmas Eve, and our driveway is the neighborhood sledding hill. The kids had lots of fun in the snow.

 Hot coco before the Polar Express.

Watching the Polar Express is a big time tradition in our family, they cannot watch it any other time during the year. They get so excited about it. When the movie is over we ring the Polar Express bell, to see if we can still hear it, to see if we still believe.

 Christmas morning began at 5:00am.

 The disco light is really a cool thing... so fun!

 We had lots of cookies this year... a friend brought over Mickey cookies, they were so cute!

This is how I spent a lot of my Christmas. I had a stomach flu, or food poisoning, or something, because I was nasty sick for more than 3 days. My prayers were answered and I was able to manage Christmas Eve and morning without being too sick, but it picked back up again right after the morning festivities. I felt so awful. It was horrible. I was blessed with a miracle of being able to do what needed to be done to make Christmas magic, despite me feeling awful. But, wow, it was really terrible. Ugh!

I went and helped with Sammi's choir party. I got together with some fun ladies and we served up soup and sandwiches, and hot coco, to the kids after they went singing at the Botanical Gardens.

 It was fun to see Sammi with all of her choir friends.

 It was a fun group of people!

 There was lots of singing going on.

Good times.

I am ready for the New Year! How about you?