Christmas Day!

It's kind of sad to look back on, but I guess we're 19 days closer to next Christmas, so I shouldn't complain.  Christmas came and went quickly!

 The Humble Tree

 The boys were up bright and early, but we held them off until 6.  Jacob got a new Ravens sweatshirt, football, Fake Book, a football book and in his stocking a pack of 20 mechanical pencils since he can't seem to keep track of them at school.

Santa knew we weren't quite ready for a lego-less Christmas so Ben got a new Lone Ranger set (that he has transformed into a Hobbit set) a story kit, some new clothes and socks, books and a game he loves called Dominion: Posterity.

 Micah also got legos and a book kit, a new Real Salt Lake shirt, Apples to Apples, and Stick Dog (book).

 We also gave in and got an XBOX (Way to go mom for standing in line on Black Friday Eve!) and my favorite was their new blankets I had made them in December that I was very excited to give them and they love! Yeah!!

 After having a wonderful Christmas morning together, we heard some sad news that Phil's brother JD had passed away.  He had been struggling with MS for many years and didn't have a high quality of life, but it was still quite a shock to us.  It put a little bit of a damper on the celebrating.  We decided to go ahead with our Christmas Day plans, then Phil headed up to Idaho to help take care of things with his family.

 

We went to my parents house and all of my siblings and families were there.  My Uncle Larry also came to celebrate.  We had lots of cousin time,

Presents!,

 Games,

Beautiful music, (this was a big highlight for me seeing Jacob in on it this year!  I smiled pretty big during this hour!)

 

  some exercise time,

 some bonding,

 and of course a little media!!

 I don't know if it was the passing of Phil's brother or what, but I had a very emotional time leaving my parents this year.  I haven't been like that since we've lived in Utah, but I was very content to be with my family and their families and be a kid again at my parents.  It was hard to come back to the real world. 

 

And at the end of another year, that is truly what it is all about: Family.  I love my family so much.  We all go through a lot of other stuff through out the year with comings and goings, working hard, stressing out and learning a lot, but if I could end every year spending this time with the people I love so much, I'd pretty much say it is all worth it.  Thanks for a wonderful Christmas and another great year!