Christmas

 

We spent a week in Seattle for Christmas this year with Todd's family, including these two (three) cute boys.

Most of Todd's time was spent chasing and tickling. I spent a lot of time working on my blog and taking pictures of these crazies with my Instagram app.

 

The first night we were there, we went to Bellevue to see "Snowflake Lane." It was a cute little show with Christmas music, drumming, and even fake snow!

 We went caroling to two families from church. Jana, Cheri and I got festive with blinky light necklaces.

 

We all went bowling-- the nephews loved it! 

 

  

 

I bowled maybe the worst two games of my life against Jim, Todd, and Tanner. 67? Shameful. They all did really well with their fancy spin moves.

Todd's family loves to play games. This year's popular game was Communism/Scum.

 

 Parker and Hayden love games, too, and they are really good with technology. They handle the iPad and Wii like nobody's business.

 

I was really excited to build a gingerbread house. Cheri had so much candy for us to use, literally every kind I could think of and more. Jim precision-cut the graham crackers for us.

I made the Nauvoo Temple, with a cinnamon bear bride and groom out front. But the real masterpiece is Cinna-bear Moroni. I crack myself up.

Todd starting building Darden, which I didn't take a picture of because it looked nothing like Darden and he quit halfway through. Cheri finished off by absolutely covering it in candy. I wish I had a picture of Jodie's amazing train station!

On Christmas Eve, the boys (Jana) read the Christmas Story to us. Parker got the high points, but he had some pretty funny add-ins. They sang a couple songs for us afterward.

We set out all the presents by the fireplace, watched Joyeaux Noel, and went to sleep!

 The boys were so sweet about opening their presents. They were so excited for everything.

 

I didn't expect to open anything Christmas morning, since Todd's family mainly gives gifts of money and we had already decided not to give anything to each other. But Todd was sneaky and had a secret present shipped in for me. Thank goodness for my Pinterest wish list and a friend sending Todd the link. (thanks, Mallory!) I get what I want, Todd gets to surprise me. This is a good system.

 After church and a fabulous dinner prepared by Jim, Cheri asked the men to help plant a tree in memory of Todd's sister, Tandi. Cheri and Jim try to plant something most years around Christmas or her birthday in June.

We did a little better focusing on the real meaning of Christmas this year. The past few Christmases have been a little disappointing--we've had a great time, but realize once Christmas is come and gone that we didn't have the proper focus. As much as I love gingerbread houses and presents and lights, what made me the most happy was playing Christmas hymns on the piano, visiting the less fortunate, and hearing our nephews tell the Nativity story. We are extraordinarily blessed.

 Also, I am proud to say I did great on all four of our flights. I didn't cry, I didn't panic or have feelings of imminent disaster, and I slept through turbulence. Maybe I am getting over my phobia, hooray! Our gate at Sea-Tac had this totally adorable castle-- we checked in at the suit of armor and walked through the wooden door to the jet bridge!

We are so glad to be home. Flying in over the Blue Ridge Mountains was breathtaking, even in winter, and I was so anxious to see our little city! We knew we loved Charlottesville, but it really feels like home to us now. I've never been so glad to get back to my usual routine. We've been quite busy between traveling, work, interviewing, and school. We're grateful for all of it, but we're glad to stay home for a while.