Christmas Memories

I probably should have written this over the Christmas vacation so I would have more wonder and a greater time to remember the details of the season and record them for posterity but maybe in the end you remember those things that matter most and forget some of the squishy parts that are left better unwritten.  We tried to make the most of the season with our girls taking them to see Santa, although Molly could have cared less and Sophie (who couldn't stop talking about sitting on Santa's lap and asking him to bring her cookies) in the end turned into a mute and wouldn't get near him.  It was only after we left and were walking away that she said "Hey where's my cookies".

About a week before Christmas we went to see the Layton Lights with our good friend Zac and Christie Harris along with thier kids Carter and Olivia (Livy).  It was perfect for the girls as the Layton Lights are all different animals and you can walk through or drive (we did both).  Afterwards we went to Sill's Cafe for Hot Chocolate and Scones.  

 

 Sophie and Livy adored each other and held hands as they wandered down the paths.

 Molly cracked me up because in her snowsuit she reminded me of the little boy from the Christmas Story who falls in the snow and can't get up.  She was so bundled that she waddled more then walked.

 

On Christmas Eve it was late and we had a fire going that was slowly dying in the fireplace.  The lights from my Christmas Village were lite up adding another warm glow.  The girls were asleep and Anna had also gone to sleep from exhaustion.  I was feeling sorry for myself as I grew up with a very warm and to me Magical Christmas Eve full of family, spirit and being together and here I was all alone.  So what did I do?  I called my parents in Serbia where it was now Christmas Morning.  We talked, laughed and then I bore my testimony to them carrying on a special Christmas Eve tradition that I had as a youth with them and I cried and they cried each bearing their own testimony of Christ and Family.  What began as a Christmas Eve where I was feeling sorry for myself turned into a moment I will cherish the rest of my life.

Christmas Morning we actually slept in until 8 am which is so rare for our girls.  It must have been the magic dust left by Santa as a gift to Anna and myself.  We started off the morning with a new/old tradition.  Anna and the girls posed for a photo at the top of the stairs as I did my entire life.  A whole new family caring on an old cherished tradition (by now if you haven't guessed I'm very sentimental).

We then went down to see what Santa had brought our girls.  Sophie finally got her cookies along with a Mr. Potato Head set along with a Little People House for both her and Molly.  Molly got the house and a rocking horse just her size.  The girls also got various toys, including matching doll strollers and clothes (many of which we bought in Serbia).

 Anna got me some bits for my drill and organizers for screws/nails/bits etc. along with some decor for the house all of which was perfect.  I got Anna a year in review book I had worked months on putting together along with a Year of Dates with each other.  She will open one envelope each month and we will go on whatever the date is planned and paid for inside.  I look forward to spending the year with my beautiful B.

Later in the day we went over to Ben and Kelli's who hosted us, along with Becki's family, for dinner and games afterwards.  It was so kind of them to let us come after our Christmas plans got canceled at the last minute.  I have a great family.

Again, maybe it is the memories that you retain that are the important ones and I know I have a lot to look back on and be grateful for.