Our Christmas in Utah

Our little space here in Farmington has created plenty of cozy evenings...all of us being right here on top of each other. ;) In all seriousness though, I haven't minded the "squishiness" -- which is how I would describe us right now. Life in Utah has so many great things to offer, and we really had a GREAT Christmas this year.

The kids had a snowman building contest a few days ago. Gabe built this snowman, but of course it wouldn't be complete without Luke's hat on top...that we're all ready to burn, haha! He will NOT leave the house without his "tracks hat," and it is seriously SO ragged!

I did NOT cry the day we took the tree down (a little earlier than usual this year), but space is exciting to me these days...and besides, all children need to see their mama doing something dangerous from time to time.

Christmas Eve was a late one, but we had such a nice time at Jared's sister's house in Mountain Green (which is only about 20-minutes from our place). We let the kids do a few sled runs down a hill close to their house, and then we helped my sister-in-law's family light up their neighborhood as part of a tradition that they do on Christmas Eve every year. Luminary candles (or tea lights) are placed and lit in white sacks roughly 15-ft. apart along the streets to honor a family who lost a child many years ago. We all nearly froze to death (haha!), but it was touching to participate in a service that remembered those who are grieving at Christmastime.

We enjoyed our traditional Humble Feast of homemade soups and rolls, played Minute to Win It, and had a special program that included Carlie singing, "O Holy Night." She sounded lovely, and it made my heart so happy. :) Grandma Wolfley told the story of the Wise Men's gifts -- and even had samples of Frankincense and Myrrh oils to smell. We watched Mr. Krueger's Christmas...and then drove home during a light snowfall.

6:30 am came way too fast the next morning, but the kids were so delighted with their treasures, and we were spoiled with a heap of gifts under our tree. Year after year, Jared and I find ourselves just smiling at each other from across the room -- the quiet "knowing" of just how much time and energy goes into witnessing those moments of pure joy in our babies' faces when they see or open a gift they've been wanting for awhile. I can't even imagine Christmas without our little ones around us (although I know it won't always be this way)! I'm so grateful for LIFE and the opportunity it is to be a parent.