Christmas

I'm getting this Christmas post up today if it kills me! The last 2 weeks of December were packed to the gills. It was crazy and chaotic and so much fun.  Not to mention that the presence of my out-of-town family coated over the less awesome parts of the month. Here is the High-Low report.

High:

Finishing my mother in law's and mom's silhouette necklaces in plenty of time and loving them.


High:

Ava composing a letter to Santa, insisting on a stamp, and droping it into our mailbox.

A week later, Santa's surprise reply arrives:

And Ava writes him the following:

"Dear Santa, thank you for the letter.  I didn't know that Frosty was real.  Have you ever seen Chipee?"






High:   

My sister and her family arriving at our house and a full week of cousin loving and hanging out begins with the trampoline

and the Wii

Low:

Ava becoming the first victim of an upper respiratory infection.  We pull out old Nebby the Nebulizer and begin the every 4 hour routine.

Ava prefers to take her breathing treatments through the peace pipe method.  I liked to call it the Peace on Earth Pipe in honor of the holiday,

High: 

Dan's desired Spritz cookies turning out wonderfully, 

   

And provide a great way to woo Sage.  

Though she'll only take the pink ones.

High:

We all fit in my parents house for Christmas Eve dinner. 

And it was delicious.  

Filet Mignon, shrimp, salad, roasted vegetables.

High:

The annual re-enactment of the Christmas Story had enough cast members

  Jesus' birthday cake reminded the kids why we celebrate and was delicious.

The BYU water bottles from my brother and his wife were a perfect Christmas Eve present. (Thanks, Bret and Christina!)

High/Low (depending on perspective):

The kids playing deteriorated into running laps around the pool table.

Low:

3am Christmas Eve, Luke wakes up unable to breathe.

After a ineffective breathing treatment at home, a dose of epinephrine and steroids at the emergency room, opens him up.

Nebby picks up another client and Luke is the 2nd victim of the respiratory infection.

High:

Christmas morning goes off without a hitch despite our trip to the hospital, hours prior.

High/Low (again depending on perspective):

The Chocolate chip cookie contest.

When I was in Chicago, I casually mentioned that I had a really good recipe.  Then Ian challenged me to a duel.  Leah stuck up for Chris's recipe and soon we had a competition on our hands. Mom didn't want to be left out either.

I don't know what happened but mine didn't win.  Dan promises that he still likes mine the best, but I fear he is slightly biased.

High:

Sofia gets baptized.

It was an absolutely excellent experience.   It's times like these when I get so drunk on the spirit I want to pass out that feeling like candy. Everyone should feel it.

High:

Filling up the frame of this picture with so many people that I love.

Low:

Max enters the breathing treatment rotation as the 3rd victim.  At least after watching his sibling for the past few days, he's an eager participant.

High:

A trip to the Arboretum.

High:

Lining up these guys

Low:
Missing Bret's face.  (and body, and wife, and kids)

So we took a picture with Dan, in case by some miracle, I can successfully swap his head out for Bret's.

High:

Getting another month done for the calendar.

High:

Ava having serious bonding time with Sofia.

Low:

Having her cry on my lap the day after they left saying, "I just miss Sofia so much!"

Low:

The unfortunate dismemberment of Buzz LightYear

High:

Going to the BYU bowl game.

And that, my friends, is a wrap.


I'm no good at math, but the highs definitely exceeded the lows.  It was a great Christmas and now I'm looking forward to 2012.