Christmas 08

Holy Cow! What a full and fun day. We had a great Christmas. I am so grateful for all our amazing family, friends, and the kindness and generosity of strangers. We started out the day super early. Justin had to leave for work at 5 am so we got the kids up at 4 to open presents and spend an hour with dad before he had to leave. Low and behold, Santa came! He brought Amanda a Driver's Manual and a certificate for an audition workshop with her drama group. Andrew got a set of knives. Meagan got Pixos. We got Andrew a guitar. Amanda got our old laptop, repaired, so she can work on her novel. Meagan got a teddy bear and earrings.Justin and I got an amazing present from Amanda. A box filled with tomatoes that her and Grandma H. had bottled this fall. YUM! After Justin headed out, we headed to my parents house. The whole Utah clan was there. Mike and Victoria, Andrea, Ben, Zane and Quinn, and of course mom and dad.I don't know how mom so skillfully avoids all the cameras going off on Christmas. I must learn that trick.
Everyone was spoiled as usual. Here is Meagan all decked out in her sock monkey extravaganza. Afterwards we had an amazing turkey lunch and stuffed ourselves silly. We hung out there most of the day. Mike helped us learn a bit about the guitar and chords. We watched Goonies and played with toys and gifts. About 6:30 we headed home through the rain and out to Justin's parents house where we drove up at just the same time as Justin and his dad. Just as we got there, a terrible snowstorm blew in. Here is Justin chilling out after his 5th, 12.5 hour workday...We had a ham dinner with all the trimming there. Then the presents.... The best was a surprise for Amanda. Everyone made her wait to open her gift until all the other presents were unwrapped. She waited patiently. Then started unwrapping to find a really cool, but odd for Christmas, gift. A green witch hat with spiders. Something had fallen out of it though. This is when she realized that it was tickets for her and her grandparents to see the Broadway show "WICKED"!!!!!!! She totally freaked out. This is something she wanted to do so badly, but didn't think she would ever get. Terri had a lot of foresight in this gift. She even bought season tickets to assure that she could get them. And then she had the foresight to get the hat at Halloween time, which added such a great touch to the gift.
We headed home around 10 pm. The storm was insane, but we drove VERY slowly and carefully and got home safe and sound with some really pooped out kids. I don't think Meagan has ever been awake that long in her whole life. Today they are all enjoying playing with their gifts. We are heading out to shovel tons of snow too, and it is still falling like crazy.

We had a great Christmas. I hope we can all remember the meaning of Christmas and the life of our Savior during this time and all year long. The most amazing things in life are those that don't come in boxes, but all the people in our lives who bless us with their love and kindness. Even in hard times, we have so much to be grateful for. I can't believe the wonderful family we have and how it expands every year into so much more. My greatest love is directed towards my husband, who works so hard to provide financially for his family. But even more, for his love for me and our growing family. There is no way I could do it without him. I missed him a lot through the day and was glad to spend the morning and night with him. I am also so grateful for the gospel and the knowledge and comfort it brings into our lives. It is our greatest gift this holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.