Christmas 2017

I went home a week before Christmas.  In those days we did some baking of course.  Mom and I spent a lot of time making the kids pillow cases to match their personalities.  I'd venture to say they were a hit with the kidos.

Christmas Eve I helped dad make the meat for dinner.  We had an amazing tri tip which we smoked on the traeger.  We also made a prime rib on the traeger for New Years Eve.  I've decided it's time for me to buy my first grill and just skip to a smoker.  I've always been a smoked meat kind of girl, well at least since I lived in the South. 

The only time I really happy about having snow is around Christmas.  It started snowing Friday night before Christmas and the snow lasted the entire time I was home because it was just plain freezing.  At least it was pretty and we had a white Christmas. 

This Christmas was a little different, but turned out to be wonderful.  Tenielle came home for a few days before Christmas, but Tanner and Kayla stayed in Utah.  I was happy that Tony and Erin stayed at mom and dad's, because it would have just been strange to wake up Christmas morning to just the 3 of us. 

Christmas Eve-Eve

We've always had Christmas Eve with my dads family, but given Christmas Eve was on a Sunday and we couldn't reserve the church on a Sunday, we had it on the 23.  It actually worked out great.  There were over 120 family members in attendance.  I think one of the biggest turn outs we've had in many years.  I love that this is the only time of the year that we have as many Young's together as we can. 

We always have a delicious dinner including grandma's yummy red punch.  This year it seemed to have hit the spot for me and had the perfect icy consistency that I love.  I think that we are always afraid there won't be enough food, but there has never been a year this has happened.  In fact there are always lots of left overs. 

My very favorite part of Christmas Eve is getting all of the kids dressed and ready for the nativity.  It is humbling to me as we prepare to depict such a sacred time in human history.  And I really feel like the kids can sense the sacredness of this event as well.  My cousins little 3 year old came up to me just before we started the program.  She was concerned that she didn't have a tie around her waste like the other angels.  It was so cute.  I loved watching Aidree's face as she played the part of Mary.  This year some of the older children narrated.  I think they did a great job.

I love how Joseph (Bridger) is looking at Mary in the picture.

Our newest tradition which is several years old now is a photo both which is always fun;

 These two...

Of course we always have a little visit from Santa himself!

And as we leave for the evening, we leave with the tradition of all traditions:  Grandma's candy/cookie platters, which I've taken over as my little project.  I love the happiness that comes from the memories of Grandma's baking and the platters she always sent us home with. 

 When we were cleaning out my grandparents house we came across Grandma's very sad looking wood succor Christmas tree.  I remember my cousin asking me if I wanted it and I said no because it looked really bad.  But she talked me into taking it.  I am so glad that she did.  I am pretty sure that my Grandma Young would have been very impressed with my spray painting skills.  Out in the snow and cold, in my ugg boots and robe, I revived this little tree by a can of spray pain.  I loaded it up with dum dums and brought it to our Christmas Eve party.  There were some very happy cousins to see this tree.  The great grands, especially my nieces and nephews loved having this at my parents house this year, especially little Klara.  For sure this will be added to our Christmas decorations for years to come.

December

Wowzer's where has December gone?  I literally savored every moment of this month.  I love that Thanksgiving was a tad earlier and that we didn't have to jump right into December.  My cousin Abe flew back from Thanksgiving with me and stayed at my house for a few days because he had a conference.  It was super fun to have him in my home. One day while he was here we went to see the lights at the Mesa Temple.  They are amazing and I love it because it's nice and warm, unlike the beautiful Temple Square lights in SLC where it's freezing.

December 1 I attended my first concert by the Millennial Choir and orchestra.  I've been told its incredible and by far it was one of my most favorite live events I've ever been to.  It was so beautiful and definitely brought me right into the Christmas spirit.  I went with my friend Barbara.  It was an early concert, which was nice, because after we attended my work party at the AZ Museum of Natural History.  It was pretty awesome with several large dinosaurs that welcomed us there.  They had it on the rooftop.  It was a pretty cool party.

I decided that since I was home for a few weeks in December and since I haven't put up Christmas decorations but twice in my adult life, that I would do just that.  I'm so glad that I did, because I enjoyed it so much and might just enjoy it for a few more weeks until mom and dad come and Mom makes me take them down.  There is a sense of peace that comes from a dark house with only the Christmas tree lights on. 

On December 2 I watched college football and put up my Christmas decorations.  I'm always a little sad when football season comes to an end, because have I ever mentioned that I LOVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL?   I attended our church's live nativity.  It was so so-real and so precious.  I loved that it was nice and warm outside.

December 4-7 I met my parents, Tony and Erin and my Aunt's great niece Maddie at Disneyland.  Maddi had never been and I was so happy to let her experience all of the magic and happiness of Disneyland, especially at Christmas time.  She loved it and we were all totally worn out by the end of the first day, but of course we did it 2 more days.  One of the days my friend and her family also met us there.  The more the merrier! 

December 8 I went to the Nutcracker ballet/Phoenix Symphony Orchestra with my cousins and aunt.  I have been wanting to see this for many years.  It didn't disappoint in the least bit.  I loved the costumes and of course I love the music.  Oh, it was just wonderful.  A new tradition for me for sure.

On December 11 I attended the best little school orchestra and band concerts that my cousins kids play in.  They did an amazing job and I so much enjoyed the Christmas music they played.

I've been planning my backyard and now front yard makeovers for the last few months.  I want it to be perfect, so I'm planning every detail.  Come mid-end of January I'm going to be loving my days on the patio with a book in my hand.

I went home for Christmas on December 18.  Yep two weeks at home!  And you know it was pretty fun, except that I was on the couch a lot because of some discomfort.  We even got a huge surprise; a white Christmas and some freezing cold temps.  Definitely another post for all of the excitement of the holidays will follow soon.  I pretty much stayed warm by wearing this awesome new robe I found at Costco and my new found love for Ugg's which I bought in Phoenix, go figure.

Christmas in Pictures

Christmas Eve

My cousin and uncle put up these lights on Grandma and Grandpa's fence. The house is still empty from when my grandpa passed away 1 1/2 years ago.  It did bring us some good memories.

 Every year it seems that our Christmas Eve PJ party gets smaller.  But this year Kayla got to join in on the fun.  Yes, I'm 40 and my mom still gets me Christmas Pj's and I love it and yes, we still take a photo.  I think this might be the last one.  I've decided I'm starting a new tradition next year; Christmas in Hawaii.

I loved that Christmas fell on Sunday.  The speakers at church were wonderful and the music was absolutely beautiful. One of my favorite surprises was when Tristen and her family joined us at church.

I didn't receive many gifts this year, because I didn't need anything.  Everything I received though I thoroughly loved.  A shirt, pewter salad tongs and my very first 1/2 carat diamond in the form of a necklace.  Crazy that I got my first diamond from my parents and Tony at the age of 40.  But it is so special to me and I couldn't be more grateful.  I don't even want to take it off.  I especially love that the chain is adjustable.

My aunt gave me a very special gift this year.  She took this picture of my grandpa which was taken when he visited me at the hospital when I was so very sick and made me an apron with the shirt that he was wearing.  I absolutely love it and can't wait to hang it in my kitchen.

Christmas is such fun with these kids and their imaginations.

Christmas Baking

Every Christmas Eve my Grandma Young would send us home with a fabulous platter.  I know I've spoken of it every year, especially last year when I recreated them with gum drops and gummy oranges.  Well, we did it again this year and they were perfect, except I forgot to bring the peanut clusters, so I had to send my dad home to get them (pictured without them, but added later.)  And because of the snow storm that dumped on our state Christmas Eve, my cousin couldn't make it from Eastern Idaho with the Peanut Brittle.  Look at that amazing array of deliciousness.  I was quite disappointed that no one brought and mom didn't want to make grandma's cherry filled cookies.  They are my favorite, especially when they are partially frozen.

It was super fun this year to have Tristen, her girls, Becky, Stella and my childhood friend Melissa join us in the kitchen.  This is one of my most favorite days of the year.  I love the memories and the fun we have.

 Becky brought all of the kids, because Troy ended up working.  They had such fun playing with their cousins. 

 I confess, I bribed them with candy for this cute photo!

 Funny thing happened, Aidree couldn't find her doll.  After several people searched for it Bridget said, "Aidree I'll show you where I hid your doll if you come downstairs with me."  Ha Ha, little sisters can tease too!