Our First Christmas

We had the most wonderful first Christmas together. We woke up on the 24th to a lot of snow. We made our way up to Logan and spent Christmas with the Johnsons for the next few days. My old roommate and friend Farnaz and her sister Farin also came up to Logan with us. Farnaz spent last Christmas with us and told me she wanted her sister to experience 'a normal Mormon Christmas'. It was really fun to share and exchange our different traditions and holiday experiences. We learned that the The Three Wise Men were in fact Zorastrian, which is Farnaz and Farin's religion. 

We got even more snow up in Logan and enjoyed being cozy in the house with each other while the snow fell silently for a few days. We skiied at Beaver Ski Resort together, ate together, played in the snow, made ski jumps, played games, and went to midnight movies.

Christmas eve dinner was fabulous with ham, turkey, and sweet potatoes. We shared the Christmas story with each other and sang Christmas songs. Then we went to bed all cozied up in flannel pj's, excited for the morning. 

Christmas came and we awoke to my mom's traditional gum and candy trail to the tree and bursting stockings! The boys all got remote control helicopters and spent the morning trying to figure out how to fly them. The girls got crafts and jewelry, and pjs and lotion, and all things girl. 

I was so excited for my parents to open the gift the chitlins got them. We found these glass stars that we had engraved with our names. And I figure, as more little people and big people come along, we'll add to the stars! 

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 The big Christmas Eve snowstorm! My man was king shoveler while we were at home in Logan! It was a constant endeavor.

 Cute stars from Piggy and Dirt by Kurt Knudsen. And the adorable wrapping and packaging. Mom and Dad loved them!

Luke finally found a buddy to play his Lego pictionary game with. And of course a few rounds of nintendo in the boys' 'puffin pajamas'. I made them pose like their brain cells were dying. Other activities included skiing and ski jumping in the back yard!

Beautiful Farnaz and Farin....they found a buddy in puppy Sophie. They loved her. It was so fun to have them at the house, their sweet personalities and funny stories and pizazz for life added so much to our trip. 

 Mom busy in the kitchen! She kept us well fed with delicious food. She really makes Christmas so memorable every year with traditions and spiritual experiences and of course her yummy cooking. My favorite this year was the Quiche we ate for breakfast Christmas morning.

 Our table set up for Christmas Eve dinner. 200+ votives left over from the wedding came in use again.

Christmas morning 

The whole fam damily. 

Luke and Brad packaged up a Christmas gift for Mark that was a BIG box and ultra heavy....only to open it and find this at the bottom of the box. Weights and a small wrapped package....a Take 5. 

Brad and Luke's other gifts to Mark. 

Yay for Christmas! I loved so much being able to share Christmas with Mark. I felt so complete and fulfilled. I didn't want to be anywhere else but with Mark and my family celebrating the birth of the Savior