Christmas Day

The snow carried over from Christmas eve and everything outside was covered in a beautiful blanket of white. It made the whole house seem cozier. Shockingly we were some of the last people to wake up that day. Both kids slept in until 8. We were able to keep the kiddos (and by kiddos I mean Grace) away from the Christmas tree so I could snap a few pictures and attempt to dry the shirt that Grace was supposed to wear that morning (it never dried).

Christian waited things out in the arms of Papa

Before we headed to the tree, we checked out the plate of goodies that we left out for Santa. Not only was most of it consumed but Santa himself even left a little note.

Grace couldn't contain herself as Grandee read the note.

Then, finally, the moment came. The moment that all Moms think about when their kids are old enough to experience the magic of Christmas morning. The moment that their children recognize and honestly believe that all the pristinely wrapped gifts and toys under the tree were placed there by a jolly old man with a fleet of reindeer. And this year, it was a great moment.

Christian even got in on the fun.

Papa and Grandee

Then we commenced with gift opening.

Grace was in heaven with all of the new toys, and the ones that Christian got she basically viewed as her own. She played the rest of the day lost in a world of her own imagination, and one involving pushing any, and every, thing should could in her new stroller.

After the kids went down for their naps, Aaron and I began the process of preparing our very first Christmas dinner. Glazed ham, twice baked potatoes, mixed steamed veggies, and a pretzel cream cheese jello. It took us the rest of the day to put together, and despite our best efforts we somehow completely screwed up the jello dish and it remained in its liquid state until we threw it out the next day. Christmas dinner probably wasn't the best time for us to make jello for the first time in our lives. Despite the epic fail of the jello everything turned out well and we ended the night being full, fat, and happy.

Christmas Eve

We woke up to snow flurries on Christmas eve. Our first point of business was to play in it.

Followed, of course, by a warm bath in Grandee's tub because it was freezing out.

And then some love.

After a relaxing afternoon we got dressed up for our Christmas eve dinner.

Unfortunately, this is as close as we got to a Christmas card this year. (Merry Christmas from the Barnards!)

Papa read the story of Christ's birth from Luke 2

As Grace placed the members of the Nativity in their proper places

Then Uncle Joe read The Night Before Christmas

We set some goodies out for Santa and the reindeer. (we were out of cookies)

Once the kids were asleep Aaron and I did some last minute wrapping.

And got all of the presents ready to be discovered on Christmas morning.

Utah Trip: Part 4

Papa: 0 Christian: 1

Finally Grace was able to play in the snow. She was dying to building a snowman. After we built this one she said, "Look Mom, it's Christian!"

One snowy evening the kids and I headed up to Salt Lake to spend some time with my friend Grace. We started our evening with the delicious Hires big H.

Then we headed to the U basketball game, and they just to happened to be playing SMU

It was a fun night but we got home a little late and Grace, for the first time in years, crashed on me. I was in heaven.

Making cookies is more fun when this is your view. Hello Christian.

"Who needs Santa when I've got Grandma."

Hanging out with Solomon and Simon

I love this picture of my boys

Grace wearing uncle Joe's hat

And Joe wearing Grace's sweatshirt. She thinks she's funny.

Grace loved having Aaron around at all times of the day. He's a much more interesting book reader.

Utah Trip: Part 3 Rachel's Wedding

The days before Rachel and Jake's wedding, all of the family members trickled in. It was a blast having everyone under the same roof and Grace and Christian were in heaven with the amount of people willing to play with and hold them at every hour of the day. 

The Rehearsal dinner was at Los Hermanos in downtown Provo

The food was delicious and the company was even better.

And as dessert came along, it was very apparent that there is no way to eat a churro without looking ridiculous.

We all got up bright and early to wet, cold, and snowy weather. We headed out to the Mt. Timpanogos temple for the wedding. Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Spencer. Despite the weather Rachel and Jake looked beautiful and handsome and they were as happy as could be.

We were able to fit lunch and naps in before we needed to get ready and head up to Sundance for the reception.

My dapper gentlemen

The Ladies

The drive up was unbelievably gorgeous. I couldn't stop taking pictures.

I just love a man with a bow-tie

Grace was one with the dance floor. She pretty much spent the entire reception dancing. At one point she convinced her Uncle Joe to dance with her.

Over the wedding weekend I was able to meet Jake's sister and her family. It turns out that we were in the dorms together but had never met each other before. We all hit it off over the wedding weekend. Even after the festivities were over and the family members were trickling back to their homes we were able to grab a quick breakfast at Magleby's before Mallory and Joe had to go too. I was hoping to get a picture of all of us together, but that didn't happen. Instead I texted Mallory and told her to take a picture of her and Joe and send it to me. Being the good sport that she is, she agreed to my ridiculous request. I love her.