Christmas 2011

This Christmas we went to Denver for a quick Christmas weekend.  We flew into Denver bright and early - well dark and early because we got up at 2:00 am to be at the airport by 4 so we could get through security and take off by 6:30.  

We got into Denver around 8 am and Chad found us.  Since Phil and Cindy were flying in, we walked around the airport in search of energy drinks because we knew that if a nap was going to happen at all it wouldn't be until really late afternoon.  Chad introduced us to an energy drink that's local to Denver called Go Fast.  Of all the energy drinks I've tried, it tastes the best.  It even won a taste award - it says so on the label.

After Phil and Cindy got in, we headed to do some shopping.  Since we were flying, packing gifts was out of the question so we still needed to hit the mall.  First stop was Deseret Book, then it was Park Meadows mall.  It was only slightly crazy and crowded.  After lunch we headed back and we were graciously shown to our room by Lexi, who was so kind to give up her bed to us and bunk with Ella.  They all have adorably decorated bedrooms, of course.

After that we hung out for a little while and relaxed our feet.  We found some dinner and then came back for the night to relax and get some much needed sleep.

Before the kids went to bed though, Katie had recorded a special, just for Brady and it was important that he got to watch it before bed.  

You see, Brady is a "Belieber."  Justin Beiber had a Christmas special and Brady was mesmerized for the most part...you know, when he wasn't dancing:

The adults stayed up even though we got up at a ridiculous hour and tried to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  We didn't make it though, about halfway through everyone was out so we just went to bed.

The next morning it was decided that it was time to go sledding at the kids' school which had this awesome hill, perfect for sledding.  We hadn't planned for sledding so Brett had to borrow some snow pants and an older jacket of Chad's.  It lasted about 2 minutes before the zipper suddenly malfunctioned, and they decided to fix the situation with some duct tape.  It was awesome, in the hillbilly sense, but Chad gave Brett a Boise State jacket to slip over the duct tape scenario so nobody else would know.

I took many pictures so I will just let them speak for themselves:

Brett suggested that both he and Chad sled down the hill while trying to push each other off and whoever stays on their sled the longest, wins.  

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Also Ella impressed us with her agility - not only once, but twice she walked right up off the sled and ran instead of crashing and falling flat:

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After sledding everyone went back to the house for some fresh squeezed orange juice and breakfast sandwiches.  Katie was quite the cook!  We once again got ready and headed out for some lunch at McDonalds.  After lunch it was on to Walmart for some more last minute shopping on our part.  Luckily by the end of the day, Christmas Eve, our shopping was complete.

After that it was back to the house to make homemade gingerbread cookies from scratch. (Katie, not us, they were delicious though.)  Brett found a quiet couch for a nap, I found my nook, and the kids played with Tyson (the dog) and found some shows to watch.

For dinner we went to Black Eyed Pea and had some really yummy comfort food, turkey dinner, pot roast dinner. The kids fit in some room for some yummy looking banana pudding.

After dinner we decided to go look at some lights.  We found a couple streets that took it seriously, which we appreciated.  There was a Candy Cane Lane and a Christmas Tree Lane.  We listened to Christmas music as loud as we could and took in all the hard work that the neighborhood had to offer.

On the drive home Chad and Brett entertained us with their rendition of "Silent Night":

Sorry the video is a little shaky, you can only get so much with cell phones when you're laughing.

After the lights and the singing, we got back to the house and got down to business.  It was time to bake cookies for Santa.

Katie is somewhat of a pro at photobombing.  This is a gold medal winner. 

 Brett's Christmas cookie

 That Brady got to enjoy!

The finished product!

Then it was time to settle down and get started on some more traditions:

Ella read us "T'was the Night Before Christmas" first.

Then it was time for Chad & Katie's Christmas traditions to start.  Everyone sipped hot cocoa and sampled some of Katie's homemade caramel while we listened to Katie explain the Three Gifts of Christmas, which were gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Katie read a great story relating to all three, their value, especially during the time of Christ and what they represent.  She explained that each Christmas, their family opens the three gifts of Christmas first which represent the body, value, and spiritual growth.  Then they open stockings and have breakfast, and then open the rest of their gifts.  Then Chad read the story of Christmas out of the bible.  We sang some Christmas carols and then it was time for the kids to open their "one present."  The kids' one present was the same tradition that I had growing up - pajamas.  All three changed into theirs and gave us a fashion show.  

Then it was time for the kids to go to bed, which on Christmas Eve, is the best idea ever for kids.  The rest of us stayed up and watched "It's a Wonderful Life."  Truthfully I had never seen it, so we watched the whole movie and Chad and Brett were unimpressed.  After that we tried to watch Christmas Vacation again but the same thing happened - we all fell asleep.  

The next morning we got up around 6:00 - before the kids.  This was the earliest I have been awake for Christmas in about 10 years.  Katie got started on Christmas breakfast - cinnamon rolls baked in the shape of a Christmas Tree and a yummy breakfast casserole.  Fresh squeezed orange juice - it was amazing.  

Around 6:20 we heard the girls up, 6:30 Phil joined us and then finally around 6:45 it was time to come down for the 3 gifts of Christmas, but first it - pictures.

I remember this annoyed me more than anything as a kid.  I wouldn't be surprised if they were mumbling mean things under their breath at us.

Then it was time for the 3 gifts of Christmas.

Then stockings.

And then finally presents!

Santa came and then it was a blur of wrapping paper, squeals and joy!

Luckily they liked the gifts we gave them too.

We had a really good Christmas morning.  After that it was time to get ready for church.  We watched the kids sing in their Christmas program and they did a really good job.  

After church it was time for us to get ready to go.  It was a really short weekend and we wished we could have stayed longer but Brett had to work so we loaded up and luckily we didn't have to buy any more luggage!  We said goodbyes and hugged the kids and Phil and Cindy, who stayed a few more days.  Then Chad and Katie took us to the airport.

It was too short, but it was a really nice Christmas and we had a lot of fun.  We're hoping this next Christmas that we can host the family out here.  Hopefully we'll see if that happens!