One Crazy Christmas

We started off this Christmas season in the proper manner: with a tree.  And a dance party, although that came after.  Zach promised me our first real tree in our first home and it did not disappoint.

Eli was very intrigued with the strange contraption that held up the tree and insisted on "hopping" (helping).  We've been learning to deal with a lot of "hopping" around here lately.

In keeping with Magleby tradition we got ornaments that represented something we did or somewhere we went that year.  Eli got a shoe for learning to walk twice and Zach and I got a mortar and pestle for surviving Pharmacy school, licensing, and job hunting.

All these crazy different ornaments make for a rather eclectic tree.  But all in all, when it was done it looked a treat.

There are, however, down sides to having a real tree brought in from the lot.  Our house spider population tripled overnight.

We had a few weeks of quiet holiday enjoyment at home before we headed to Utah for, as they say in Elko, one cray-cray busy trip.  To kick it off, of course, the annual Lights on Temple Square/Little America/Hale Center Theater party.

If Eli looks dazed in these pictures its only because its impossible to get him to nap while on vacation.  I think he enjoyed it all.

From the theater it was straight to Provo to hang it with the Judkins, then the Maglebys, then the Haights, and so on back and forth.  In that time we managed some family pictures, a few nativities, a couple of Christmas Eve and Christmas celebrations, and a lot of food and fun.

 The three cousins, always in motion, and thus hard to capture.  

We sure loved having James around to complete the trio!

 Haight Family Christmas Party

 All the little girls wanted to be Mary, so rather than make enemies of some 3-4 year-olds, the powers that be wisely let them ALL be "the mommy".  And then there was Eli, the lone Joseph with his harem of wives.

 The pinata was a huge hit.  Never have I seen such anxious children.  They were ready to pounce (and did, many times) at the slightest hint of wrapper.  Eli had a hard time relinquishing his stick.

 Eli still doesn't "get" Christmas, but he still had a grand time with his gifts.

 The Judkins Christmas was especially fun.  It was decreed that all gifts must have a home made element to them, and it was so cool to see what everyone came up with.  Talent abounded.

 Tawny went all out and made me a scarf, painted vases, and a secret safe book.  Score!  And Isaac made Zach an impressive t-shirt, as shown above.

 I learned a new skill that I will probably never employ again to knit Tawny boot cuffs, and Zach employed an unnamed seamstress to make Steve a magnetic nail holder bracelet.  Cooler than it sounds.

We packed in the joy and celebration in until the very last second and then braved the snow and ice to drive back home Christmas Day so that Zach could work the 26th.  The picture below pretty much sums up how we all felt by then end.  Happy, full of celebrating, and very, very tired.

Hope you and yours all had a lovely holiday!