This holiday season was so busy.. I know that each Christmas I say that, but I've never been more last-minute than this year. Maybe because we had more "memory making" opportunities with Liv than we did last year.. Either way, I was burning the midnight oil on Christmas Eve til 4am haha.
This Christmas we spent with my family for most of Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, then went up to the Russell cabin for the weekend after Christmas.
But backing up a little..
On December 22nd
We went to Temple Square for the Christmas lights. It was my friend Maegan's birthday so we ran through downtown first then stopped by their place for some yummy cake.
I loved getting to be downtown, in temple square, even though it was pretty short lived {Olive was super tired and it was way cold}. My goal in life before I die is to take a horse drawn carriage ride downtown in the winter time. Maybe next year. ;)
December 24th, Christmas Eve
I took some very necessary naked baby in front of the Christmas tree pics.. Love those little cheeks!
This smile kills me!!
Micah's family was doing a quick dinner and gathering that night, just before my family's dinner and gift exchange.
We stopped by South Towne Mall on our way so that we could get the much-needed Santa pic.
This is a pic of the pictures we bought.. I can't stop laughing about these, still. Poor girl.
Once at the Russell's, we changed Liv into her Christmas jammies. Of course they're Minnie Mouse!
We had a little puzzle sesh while the kiddos played. It totally killed my OCD to not stay and finish it, but my parents were waiting. Uuuuugh I hate leaving things unfinished!
At my parent's house, we ate pizza and opened one Christmas gift, as is the tradish.
Once we were home and Olive was down for the night, Santa's elves aka Micah began working on some serious Christmas construction.
But after a few short hours it was fully assembled and perfect looking!
I love this view, by the Christmas tree's glow. Such a magical feeling.
December 25th, Christmas Day
Merry Christmas! I am such an early riser on Christmas Day.. Sleeping last 8 is torture. Any other day, waking up before 8 is torture haha. I'm such a child. This Christmas it was predicted to snow and it actually did! We got several inches out at our house. Love White Christmases!
We wanted Liv to wake up naturally so we didn't throw off her whole day.. she was going to have a weird nap schedule & we wanted to avoid a super cranky babe.
This year was so exciting, seeing Olive's reaction to opening gifts and playing with her new lovies.
I took a video of her leaving her room and running out to see the toys. I think I was more excited for her to open her gifts than to open my own haha.
She ran straight for her baby and gave it a big wet kiss!
Zoey wasn't left out this year..
While Zoey chomped on her bone, Olive played with her new toys, & Micah and I opened our gifts.
Every Christmas I get Micah a brown belt. Every year I get the wrong size. I'm convinced his waist is a never ending transformer that is always shape-shifting. Seriously. I don't know how it's even possible. But this year was true to form and this time the belt is too small. FML.
I was given some super adorable stackable birthstone rings from Pandora. Totally exactly what I wanted and I'm SO excited about them!
The top ring (clearish looking stone) is for our new baby boy, due in April, and the bottom ring (grey smokey looking stone) is for Olive, my June baby. They're simple and dainty and I totally love them.
When Micah was growing up, his parents would always sign their gifts from a descriptive kind of Santa.. Like the Sweaty Santa could mean some work out clothes. Or the Automotive Santa could mean something car related. Micah loves to continue this little funny tradition and always has hilarious tags.
Such a funny guy.
Santa was good to us this year and we *finally* have blinds for our house now and some new luggage for our upcoming trips. Yahtzee! No more broken luggage for me!
But one of my favorite gifts we got this year was a watercolor painting from my sister in law Cara & brother Matt.
I immediately broke down in tears. It's such a perfect rendering of my sweet dog Zoey. They had it commissioned from a little lady in Italy, basing it off of this picture from my Instagram.
How incredible is that?! Seriously. I couldn't even talk for a few minutes. So so so sweet. While I was wiping the snot from my face, Micah took the painting and totally started tearing up as he looked at it. Such a thoughtful gift to remember my fur baby forever.
After a couple of hours and quick showers, we headed to my parent's house for breakfast & to open gifts.
In my parent's circle we did a few donuts.. Because how often does it snow on Christmas & you get to do them?!
Every Christmas my mom makes ebelskievers -- super yummy little pancake ish balls. Amazing. You can put syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon, fruit, or all of the above on them.
After eating waaaay too many, we moved into the family room for gifts.
My parents and siblings did way too much for everyone, as usual. My fave gift was my new serger!! Seriously freakin excited about it! Now to just thread that beast.. I might cry haha but once I've got it figured out it'll be incredible!
All of the gifts and excitement wore out Liv & Micah.
And also Dan & Capri.
We headed out to my in-laws for our gift exchange later that day, but poor Liv couldn't stay awake.
She never falls asleep in my arms, so I was eating it up.
Micah's parents were the ones who gave Liv the pink kitchen, so the other half of their gifts to her were food & dishes for the kitchen, among other things. So much fun!
We went home that night and crashed hard, feeling so incredibly blessed.
December 26th
The day after Christmas we headed up to Heber/Midway for our final gift exchange with all of the Russell siblings then to stay up at the cabin afterwards.
We got together at Josh & Kelly's for dinner that night & let the kiddos play & did gifts and a few chimes songs.
We played a fun Christmas trivia game before the kiddos went upstairs to play. It was tricky but way fun! I love Christmas trivia games.
The kids were stoked out of their minds with Kelly's play room.
We then did a song called Must Be Santa.. Apparently a Russell family tradition. It was pretty random! But super entertaining haha.
And finished with a few chimes songs.
My cute niece Cat was way tired and got some Gammy cuddles before we all headed home.
Poor Liv was also super tired so we headed out to the cabin around 10pm. Such a trooper. Thankfully the cabin is only about 5 min from Josh & Kelly's house. We all crashed once our heads hit the pillows.
December 27th
Livi woke up kinda confused and sad where we were so she got some cuddles and Gru time with daddy.
So adorable.
We had a delicious breakfast of scones, eggs, & ham with my in-laws and bro & sis in law, with their kiddos.
Our little nieces invited us to go sledding at their house that day, so we got all bundled up and headed out.
My bro in law Ben was pulling his girls on sleds behind their RZR & we joined in on the fun.
Liv fell asleep on me -- again!
Micah cuddled up with Zoey for a nap
And I fell asleep with Livi too.
After our naps, we packed up and headed home. This Christmas was such a fun, long & stretched out celebration! I love living close to both Micah's family and mine so that we can enjoy our time and memories together. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
xoxo
Mandi
No comments:
Post a Comment