Does anyone else feel like they have a huge, massive
hangover at this time of year?
Don't get me wrong though - I absolutely LOVE Christmas and all that comes with it!
I just feel like the last week leading up to the big day is so crazy and busy and chaotic that by the time December 26th rolls around, I am in desperate need of a hot bath and a LONG nap!!!
This year was certainly no exception, and as the Mom of an (almost) two year old this year, it may have been even more busy than ever before. I wanted my baby to have an amazing Christmas, filled with wonderful traditions and memories, and I think we just may have pulled it off!=)
There is a lot to tell you about, so I am just going to jump right in.
The Saturday before Christmas was the annual Millgate family party. It was hosted at Mike's aunt's church and we had a great turnout this year. We played "Minute to Win it" games and had a blast.
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| Great-Grandma Helen and some of her great-grandchildren |
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| Kandiss |
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| Kevin, Ian and Mike - just chillin' |
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| Mike and his cousin Ron |
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| Getting ready for the "Cheetoh toss" |
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| Uncle Leonard |
This party was also the official unveiling of our "Ugly Christmas Sweaters". You see, my hubby has this weird cute thing about wanting to match Ian, and let me tell you, they DO NOT make matching Christmas sweaters for men and babies. Believe me. I looked everywhere! Hence, our homemade masterpieces=)
I know, I know...too good for words, right?!?!
Next up, Valley Fair Mall. My Mom works right by there and wanted us to meet her there after work one night to sit on Santa's lap and ride the train. Now, if you haven't been to this mall in a few years, you are definitely in for some shock and surprise!! They are re-doing it and it looks SO different!! It actually looks pretty good, and definitely MUCH LESS ghetto!
We met my sister's family and my parents there one night before Christmas. We saw Santa...
we rode the train...
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| So stinkin' cute!!!!! |
...and we had a nice dinner to round out a really fun night.
This brings us to The Little America. A couple of weeks before Christmas, my sister told me about an idea that she was planning - a little surprise getaway for her family. Her kids had never seen the lights at Temple Square (I know - she is aware that this makes her a bad Mom!=) so she decided to surprise them with a little pre-Christmas adventure. When I heard about it, I thought it sounded like so much fun so I asked her if I could invite ourselves along. I think I know her well enough to know that she really didn't mind when she agreed to let us crash her party - either that or she is a really good liar! =)
She picked up her kids on Wednesday afternoon, their last day of school for the year, and they had no idea what was happening. Her husband didn't even know! She told them they were just parking at Little America and then were going to walk around, but imagine their surprise when they walked into the lobby to see us standing there! We got adjoining rooms and had such an incredible time! Mike has wanted to stay in a hotel for Christmas ever since seeing the movie "Home Alone 2" and I think this finally satisfied that wish for him.
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| Mike and Jamie |
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| Billy |
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| The cousins |
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| Ian and Brady - Partners in crime! |
We checked in and got situated and then we walked over to the Grand America hotel to look at their Christmas window displays. It was pretty cute. Then we hopped on the train to Temple Square. We got there early and the lights hadn't turned on yet, so we went inside the visitor's center to see the Christus statue. I hope Zack doesn't kill me for sharing this with you, but it is such a cute story, so I have to tell you what happened next. For those of you who have never been here before, this is the statue I am talking about.
There is a recording that plays as you walk through and at one point, God says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments". We finished walking through and then went outside to look at the nativity scene. As we started walking away, I noticed that Zack was crying and his Dad was saying to him, "No one is perfect buddy. That is something you will struggle with your whole life". Turns out, when Zack heard Jesus saying those words, he felt immensely guilty for "not keeping the commandments" by fighting with his brothers. He thought that meant that Jesus would think he didn't love him. Is that sweet, or what?!?!? (No wonder he is Ian's favorite=)
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| I look good!!! |
We had it reaffirmed to us just how fearless Ian is in the water. He just lets go and thinks he can swim! I think he would be happy just sitting at the bottom of the pool! We are definitely going to have to get him into some swim lessons this year!!
Then it was back to the room for some cuddle time with the cousins.
This really was one of the highlights of the week for our family. We had such a good time and are hoping to make this a tradition every year. (Although next year we are hoping to do without the key in the outlet and the tears and spark shower that followed, Mr. Brady bug!=)
As you can see, we had a very busy, yet fun-filled Christmas week. It is one of those times that really makes me grateful to finally have my own child to share it with.
That is all for now, but stay tuned...Christmas is up next!
