I feel like Christmas keeps getting more and more fun each year. The magic of Christmas is alive in each of our kids. I love these years with our young kids. They can be hard and demanding, but I realize time is going quickly and I don't want to regret not experiencing life through their eyes.
Luke woke up at 4:00 AM. I didn't hear him, but apparently Bryan told him to go back to sleep. He was up again at 5:00 AM, then Emma followed shortly after. Myles senses when a party is about to happen and was bright eyed and bushy-tailed by 5:45 AM. I know it was ridiculously early, but I was as excited as the kids to head downstairs.
Opening stocking gifts.
Santa delivered real make-up (instead of pretend make-up like she asked for) and this was Emma's reaction.
The fun, magic, love and mess of Christmas surpassed all of my hopes. We enjoyed opening all of our presents and even started playing with some of them before heading off to 9:00 church. The perks of an early start. I enjoyed attending church on Christmas Sunday. It reminded our family of the true meaning and love for Christmas. There was a special Sacrament meeting with a music program. The choir and other musical numbers were wonderful. Bryan was incredible and juggled all three kids on the bench as I accompanied the primary kids and was asked to play a solo of "Joy to the World." I practiced and prepared and still shook like a leaf, just like I did at my recitals. I was relieved when it was over, but happy that I could truly proclaim "Joy to the World" in my own musical way. I'm so grateful that our Savior was born.
When we returned home from church, as if on cue, snow started falling for only 20 minutes. This was such a fun surprise as there was no chance of snow in the forecast! We had such a fun day together, enjoyed the traditional New England Boiled Dinner that my Grandma Kotter and Mom would make and went to bed completely content with our memories made this Christmas.
Luke and Emma noticed the snow starting to fall right as I attempted to take their picture.
Two-minutes later he was exhausted and almost falling asleep in his food.
We returned home from Granby on "Christmas Adam" and unloaded the car and crashed into bed. We had an incredible time and all of us were exhausted! On Christmas Eve, Bryan took Luke and Emma to see Sing. Myles wasn't invited back to the movies after he was taken out with 30 minutes still left in the last movie we went to as a family. If it was a movie marathon all about trains, I have no doubt he could last 5-6 hours. Myles and I ran a few last-minute errands while they were at the movies.
In the afternoon, Luke helped me make my Grandma Munns' caramels. Emma also helped with the homemade salsa. She is my little señorita that devours chips and salsa.
We opened up one gift each that contained pajamas, games and a movie for our family party that night. We dined on appetizers: smoked sausage and cheese platter, fruit with dip, chips and homemade salsa, cheeseball, an assortment of crackers and yummy desserts that a friend just happened to drop by, perfect timing! I love doing appetizers this night as it helps me keep things low-key (I'm not a clean chef in the kitchen) and more enjoyable while we play our new games as a family. The kids weren't sure what "appetizers" meant, but it was a crowd pleaser. 'Mustache Smash' (Thanks Uncle Tom for the idea ) and 'Sleeping Queens' (Thanks Uncle John for introducing our kids to it at the cabin) were the biggest hit with the whole family. As the party wound down, we thought about what the first Christmas Eve was like and finished by reading the account in Luke.
"Just keep stirring, just keep stirring..."
Senorita Salsa
The pajamas were a huge hit with each of the kids. Myles: "Choo-Choos," Emma: Frozen, Luke: "Pajamas with the feet on them." Judging by how happy each kid was for their new pajamas, we thought the following morning would be lots of fun.
Tough lighting, but the memory is captured. Our fancy, candle-lit appetizer dinner. :)
The true party animal.
Last-minute sugar cookie decorating for Santa.
After all of the fun and crazy of Christmas Eve, I love the scene on late Christmas Eve.
Thanks again to Bryan's parents, we enjoyed a discounted, fabulous get-a-way to Granby. We stayed in a 4 bedroom casita timeshare and were pleasantly surprised how nice and roomy it was. It was the perfect fit for a larger group. The Marzo family joined us at the timeshare and the Pedersens were able to meet up with us for a fun time together. We were a hot tubbing, skiing, sledding, hot tubbing some more, eating lots of yummy food, playing games crew. We're already thinking we need to plan a return trip.
Resting up for lots of fun the next day.
We left this guy with the Marzos while we skied the morning and then watched their little guy while they skied in the afternoon with their kids. Granby Ranch is 5 minutes from the timeshare. Extremely convenient.
Luke was excited and ready to try skiing on his own (without the leash/harness).
He did well and was cruising pretty good after a few runs.
Emma was all about "the experience." She did a few runs on the magic carpet, a few more on the bunny hill and then chilled at the lodge with Bryan or me.
Snack time included making letters out of granola bars.
Later that night, the kids enjoyed the perfect sledding hill right behind where we were staying.
These two were inseparable. Ethan and Luke were always moving so fast that it was difficult to capture a picture of the boys!
Myles and his cheese face.
Mr. Myles needed a little alone time.
We went to Grand Lake for a very impressive and fun sledding hill. We pulled off the highway and into a town with snow packed roads, huge icicles from the rooftops and snow-covered trees that made it feel like we were in a Christmas card! The Pedersens spend lots of time in this area of Colorado and were our local experts. I'm embarrassed that I didn't take ONE group picture. We were having too much fun to stop and hold still.
Gorgeous view from the top.
Luke liked blazing a new trail.
The girls were fearless on the sledding hill.
When Mom is watching, this is how the girls sled down the mountain.
When I wasn't watching, this occurred. Thankfully, everyone was okay and the girls were begging to go again!
This cute baby is all smiles. We loved watching this handsome guy while his family skied.
On our way home, we stopped for a few treats/drinks. As if I didn't love Granby enough, their gas station carries the best grape soda. We make sure to stop and grab at least one every time we visit. Another fantastic trip logged with friends and family.
