Christmas 2010

This Christmas was definitely one to remember for us. For the first time, we got to spend Christmas Eve and morning at our own home. We were lucky enough to get to have my parents come and stay with us that night too. Christmas Eve was simple but very fun. My mom and I decided to do meat fondue for dinner with baked potatoes. For dessert, we had chocolate fondue and apples and bananas. Mitch even tried an orange to see if he could make a chocolate orange. It wasn't quite the same. After cleaning up, we played a game of Five Crowns, read the Christmas story and discussed Luke 2. After family prayers, we ended the evening watching Elf. Eric laid down next to Grandpa and wanted to go to bed about 15 minutes later. So about 9:30, Eric was in bed and we enjoyed out Christmas movie.
Daddy and Eric enjoying a book together Christmas Eve:

Eric and Grandpa enjoying the chocolate fondue:

Christmas morning was too funny. I thought for sure Eric would be up at about 6:30. At around 7, we were woken up by my brother calling from Afganistan (which we missed). Eric was still snoozing away so we got out Christmas omlets made and mostly eaten before we hear Eric's door open. I hurried and grabbed the camera and Mitch and I showed Eric that Santa had come and brought him a Thomas the Train and track. He was so excited. He was over pushing buttons and watching it in a minute. After we got his breakfast done, we tried to pry him away from the train to go eat, but that ended in a fit. So, Thomas ate breakfast with Eric. After we all finished with breakfast, we opened presents. We were very blessed and spoiled (as always) again this year. Eric would open a present and then head back to play with his train track. We hardly heard or saw Eric that day because he love his train. That helped us get a yummy lunch of Creamy Broccoli soup and bread bowls ready and also get packed to leave that afternoon for Salt Lake City.
Opening presents:

Back to the trains:


We flew out Christmas night at 5:40 from Tulsa. My brother Chad picked us up and we got to spend some time with him and his family. Sunday evening, we headed up to Temple Square to see the beautiful display of lights. I love Temple Square. It has such an amazing history and spirit there.


Monday, we relaxed and watched "Inception". That afternoon, my sister in law drove us up to Fruit Heights where we met Mitch's family at his Grandma's house for our second Christmas Tuesday afternoon. Eric was again spoiled. The rest of the week was spent up there. We were able to attend a temple session at the Bountiful temple (it was supposed to be Salt Lake but some brothers didn't wake up on time). We also were able to go to the Sandy Aquarium with our good friends/cousins the Norris'. Sadly, I didn't have my camera on me for that fun little adventure. That evening it snowed. The next day everyone ventured outside to play in the snow. I think Eric enjoyed it, but he got a little cold. I stayed inside. New Years Eve was fairly uneventful. Mitch was able to go snowboarding with his brothers and dad for a few hours. I went and visited my sister in law again. Eric and I slept through New Years. We rung in the New Year by coming back home. It was a fun vacation, but, there is no place like home. (Plus it was 45 degrees here and SLC was only 8.)
Our second Christmas:

Mitch and Eric enjoying the snow:

The boys sledding: