Christmas 2011

We had such a great Christmas this year! We stayed home for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and then headed up to Idaho Falls during the afternoon to spend time with both sides of the family. It worked out really well.

We've sort of blended a few traditions from both Sean and I's families, as well as added a few of our own. On Christmas Eve we went to Lowes Xtreme Airsports in Provo with my sister's family and my brother Todd's family. We have been several times and both Sean and Jackson LOVE it. We figured it would be a good way to wear the kids out. Even though we had a small mishap at the end when my brother-in-law took a pretty hard fall, we had a great time. Thankfully he is fine!

Sean doing some sweet tricks off of the trapeeze!

For dinner we had Chinese sundaes (or Hawaiian haystacks) in keeping with Sean's family's tradition. We also put luminarias up our walk in keeping with my family's tradition.

The boys opened up new matching Christmas pajamas to wear to bed.

We didn't forget to leave cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer!

Jackson came into our room Christmas morning a little after 7am and said, "Did Santa bring me a train?" He has been patiently waiting for this train for months and my heart about burst when he asked so sweetly.  Santa did remember the train and even had it set up and ready to go for him.

He was so excited to see it and immediately sat down and started playing with it. It was one of those moments where you are reminded that being a parent is the best thing in the world. 

Bode was pretty excited about the puffs and other snacks he found in his stocking

A whole box of tractors!

Rio!

A special present from mom

A blanket of his very own similar to his older brother's :)

…and back to the train!

After church we packed up and headed to Idaho Falls. It worked out well-- Bode got his nap and Jackson got to watch one of his new movies. We didn't have to haul everything and we got to spend time with family. Win-win!

We had a yummy Christmas dinner with my family and Bode got in on some Jello action :)

We opened presents with grandma and grandpa and then headed to nana and papa's for more family time and gift-giving.

Sad to see this season end, but thankful for our very merry Christmas!

A blanket for Bode

When Jackson was about the same age Bode is now, I made him a blanket. I was new to sewing and had no idea what I was doing. I just wanted to make something special for him. I made it extra large on purpose and am so glad I did. Jackson refers to that blanket as the "doggie blanket" and still uses it all the time. Flaws and all, he loves it.

I knew I wanted to make a blanket for Bode, too. I noticed how much he liked being wrapped up in Jackson's and I set out to find the right fabric. Finding the "right" fabric is by far the hardest part for me. It's almost like I have to envision him with it and make sure it fits. Sounds nerdy, I know. After much searching, I found Bode's blanket:

I could see him wrapped up in it and the fabric made me smile. 

As with Jackson's, I put his initial in one of the corners.

I hope it is something Bode will love and use for a long time. I loved making it for him.

Opening it up on Christmas morning!

Merry Christmas to you!

We are so grateful for our Savior and hope this Christmas is one of joy and peace for all of our friends and family.

Christmas happenings

We've been able to do lots of festive things this month!

Lights at temple square with the Morris fam

Miss Belle

 Ashton striking a pose

Jackson had zero interest in having his picture taken that night.

Jackson and his buddy Dax at a neighborhood gingerbread house party.

 

Making our annual family gingerbread house. I decided to simplify this year and bought a gingerbread house kit from bountiful baskets. I highly recommend it-- still homemade, just not by me! :)

Bode's new favorite thing. One of those mesh food holder things. He LOVES it.

Try not to be too jealous of our gingerbread decorating skills. This year's is a beaut!

It wouldn't be Christmas for the Whittington side of the family without breakfast at the Little America coffee shop in Salt Lake. My parents stay there every year and this year we were able to spend a night there also. We all (minus Thomas and Megan) were able to go to the Motab Christmas concert either Friday or Saturday. I always look forward to the concert and enjoyed it again this year.

Jackson and Sean sleeping in 

Breakfast! 

Swimming in what I still consider one of the best hotel pools ever.

We walked over to the Grand America and checked out their holiday window displays. They have a fun game for the kids that goes along with the displays and at the end they each get a sticker and cookie from the sweet shop.  The kids (and adults) all loved this one in the new Jou Jou toy shop window. It's one of those ball maze type things-- very impressive and on sale for a mere $10,000!

Life-sized gingerbread house

Sean's parents are visiting for Christmas and we were lucky enough to have them stay with us for a few nights. It was great to spend some time with them and the boys were so excited to have them here.

A few random pictures

I call this hat the "Better Off Dead Hat" because it reminds me of Ricky. :)

Bode fell asleep on me awhile back and Sean snapped this picture. 

 

I love this sweet little face.

Christmas has been a lot of fun this year with Jackson. He is really into it and is loving everything-- reading the Christmas story, nativities, the music, lights, Santa, Christmas movies, sweets, etc. His favorite songs are "Sleigh Ride" (instrumental version) or "the horsey song" as he calls it and "Jingle Bells." His lyrics often include, "Jingle bells, poo poo smells…" hmmm… wonder who taught him that? He's asked Santa for a train set this year and is pretty excited about it. Naturally, his favorite movie is "Express" (Polar Express). He's also a big fan of "Mickey's Christmas Carol" and "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." He calls our stockings "costumes" for some reason and I've given up trying to keep the tree looking nice. He loves moving the ornaments around and we even found a big stash of bells inside the hole in our bedroom door (you know, the hole he punched in our door with his forehead eight months ago…). Along with all of the fun, we've made a big effort to teach him about Christ and explain to him He is the whole reason we celebrate Christmas and get to do all of these fun things. In his prayer a few nights ago he said, "Please bless Jesus and Santa will come to my house." :) 

I think we're ready for Christmas!