christmasing about

phew.
we made it. this Christmas was a splendid one. this time of year never stays long enough. seriously, all this parenting stuff.. well it has some pay offs, and Christmas is one of them. seeing those little stinks i like to call mine so deliriously excited and happy is worth every stress of shopping, fretting, and late holiday nights. our family is still in the young stage.. and not as in young as age, but young as in anything goes. traditions are being made, and cheesy as it sounds... perfect memories. this Christmas my happiest gift is my family.
dustin, minie, poppy... i love you.

Christmas morning.
despite talking about it for weeks. reading Christmas stories, opening jammies, leaving cookies for Santa, and sleeping together on the floor, both my girls woke up like it was any other morning. minie sauntered into our bed and asked to watch cartoons and when was breakfast.
WHAT? i asked ,"excuse me, missy. do you know who came last night?". she looked puzzled, and said "umm.. nannie and grandpa??". that girl.
instead of talking about it, we all led both of them down stairs and just let them see for themselves.
good news... they remembered right quick.

.Ma in her kerchief and Pa in his (non) cap.
minie wasn't completely off in her knowledge of the night's happenings.
we had the complete honor of having nannie and grandpa sleep over Christmas eve.
it was splendid.. for us at least. as mentioned it was even more noteworthy for the girls than Santa.
now that's a big deal.
and sorry mom and dad for minie's bed. our guest bedroom (minie's toddler room) situation isn't quite as ritzy as i would hope..

visions of sugarplums

milk, cookies, carrots for Rudolph, and notes to Santa are a must.
duh.

Merry Christmas.
yes.. that is an obvious strand of lights burnt out on the tree.
gus chewed the bottom wiring, resulting in the top to fizz out.
don't you judge me for just ignoring it.
it looks more subtle in the day.

Christmas day was spent napping, playing with new toys, and then eating a fabulous Christmas spread at nannie and grandpa's. somehow i didn't take one single picture.
trust me.. it was merry.
really. it was.

the 22nd-24th we headed up to Bear Lake to have our Jackson side of the family Christmas.
again we just lounged at the new cabin and it was, as always, G L O R I O U S.

minie loves her some Benny time.
here they are waiting ever so patiently, looking very darling in their Hannah jammies, to open stockings.
and yes. ben's slippers are as big in real life too.

anything princess is always a home run in my girl's book.
thanks grandma ali!

tutus are always a hit too..

but nothing trumps the AMAZING gift to Disneyland.
we were all totally and absolutely surprised with this incredibly large stocking, announcing an all inclusive trip to Disney.
woot, woot!
yes.. my girls are thrilled.
but forget them for a minute. I am thrilled.
really, thank you Alice and Steve.
it is the perfect gift.

i was not without surprises either.
ever since my sister Robyn made a denim quilt for her husband a couple years ago, dustin has been begging me to make him one. he has been stashing away old jeans, and just hoping his wish would come to fruition. i have told him to take a flying leap whenever he inquired because... one: they are ugly.. really. and two: I do NOT quilt.
but i lub him.
so this year i suffered through many a trial, and rotary injuries and whipped him up a very sad, sad, uneven version of a quilt.
oh honey.. i love you for loving it still all the same.
xo

the weather was perfect for snow-play.

and yes.. we can build a mean snowman.

poppy was feeling the love..

and even grandma couldn't resist joining in on the fun.

he is handsome,
isn't he??

like i said...
this year, Christmas did us right.

wameeeest holiday wishes,

brooke