Christmas 2012

It was a Christmas full of travel, family, friends, food, and sickness, just like every Christmas ought to be. We started out the season by borrowing an artificial Christmas tree from my sister Liz. According to me, this was our first official Christmas tree. I'm not counting the 18 inch Charlie Brown tree from years gone-by. I probably should, but it would fall over at least three times a day and the decorations I put on it would always fall off. It was like watching Christmas crash and burn every day in December. Aaron loved it, though, because it matched the size of his Christmas spirit. So you can imagine the arm-twisting I had to do this year. I was truly glad to have it, and Aaron did come through and support me in the end. I hand-crafted some ornaments as well. If you look closely you can see the blood, sweat, and tears on them.

My brother Philip and his wife Kelsey and their two kids came to my parents' house. So we headed up there for a few days before Christmas. Annie and Daphne seemed to hit it off right away.

It was so great to see Phil and Kelsey. I think it had been 18 months since our last visit.

Philip's birthday happens to be on Christmas day. We celebrated on the 22nd. These pictures were the most memorable part. The shirt was a gift from his wife, the shorts were a gift from Liz and Darren, and the poses are gifts from Phil to you, dear reader.

Phil also introduced the family to two wonderful things--Comedy C on BYUtv. (It's good! You should watch it.) And the Netflix fireplace.

Another important event happened right before Christmas. My sister Liz gave birth to her 6th child, a boy named Aiden. It was special to have a tiny baby boy at Christmas time. Liz is one amazing woman. 

While together, we had our traditional Christmas Eve rice pudding feast. It was as good as ever. We are all loving the addition of sausage rolls. Thank you Aunt Kathleen for that blessed, blessed recipe.

Aaron and I were the last ones eating both because we can put it away and because Scotty had a meltdown mid-meal and needed to be put away...to bed.

After the meal, we acted out the nativity. Philip was the director. In my opinion, it was the most organized performance we've ever done as a family.

It was a lovely pre-Christmas Christmas.

On Christmas Eve day we headed back to Aaron's parents' house. Their neighborhood has a Christmas Eve tradition of putting candles in white paper bags up and down the sidewalks. It requires a little bit of effort but looks really beautiful. You'll have to take my word for it. Here's Aaron and Scotty getting ready to go outside and see the lights.

After the kids went to bed, I spent a couple of hours trying to sew a little skirt for Annie. I took the material from an old play dress I had. It was supposed to be an easy project, but the material was somewhat gathered at the top, so sewing a fold and inserting elastic ended up being a lot harder than I'd planned. Luckily, Julie was there to save me from myself. I guess I wouldn't make a very good elf. Here are some Christmas Eve and morning pictures.

Angela/Rudolph the red nosed reindeer

Matching dolls made by Grandma Dennis

 Annie playing with the Mrs. Potato Head that we gave to Lucy. Kids love to steal presents.

 The play phone--all ages were enthralled by it.

 Opening stockings

 Princess boots!

The skirt

 The littlest person had the biggest present under the tree. It was a carseat from G & G Dennis.

 Opening presents by himself after his morning nap.

 Brothers and kids

Just kids.

The Dennis clan got crazy this year playing minute-to-win-it games. Heather organized everything, and it was a blast. 

We loved being with our wonderful families! Thanks for putting up with us and our kids. It was a very Merry Christmas.