Christmas Eve

Our Christmas festivities were very different this year.  It was not bad, just different.  We spent much of Christmas Eve packing our bags and getting ready for California.  I wanted to be all ready so that I didn't have to worry about it on Christmas.  We headed over to my parents in the afternoon to get ready for the big Christmas Eve dinner.  Mom was busy cooking away as usual and everyone else was off doing their own things.  Finally Min, Matt, Brent and Sharna rolled in and it was time for the fun to begin.  I must say things just don't seem complete without Nat and her family but I just have to keep telling myself someday...someday we will ALL be together to celebrate the holidays!!!  I really look forward to that "someday!"  Dinner was wonderful as usual, but I knew it would be.  We had fun sitting around laughing and having a good time.  Right after dinner we were able to Skype with Nat and her family which is always so much fun.  It is kind of funny hanging out with them over Skype, but I always say that it is better than nothing!  We decided to open our gifts from my family because we weren't quite sure what Christmas day was going to bring and we were afraid we would be rushing!  So although it was not part of our normal tradition, we went ahead and opened our gifts and then we did our annual tradition of reading The Night Before Christmas, the story from Luke 2 and then listened to Silent Night.  After all that it was out the door so we could get our kids off to bed!  We sure crammed a lot into one day but it was all good. 

Christmas at Aspen Ridge

Chill's family always has a Christmas party at Grandma Molly's.  This year it was a little different since Grandma is in a rehab center recovering after her fall.  She is staying in Aspen Ridge which is absolutely beautiful and they take great care of her.  She really has loved it there.  We decided to bring the party to her.  Although it was different than most years what mattered most is that we were all together.  We really had a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute of it. 

After the party with Grandma Molly we headed back to our house with Chill's family and exchanged gifts.  We had a mini Christmas with them.  We had to find time to celebrate with Chill's family because we were flying out Christmas day to go to California and we were funning out of days quickly.  We all got spoiled as usual, especially our kids.  Chill's parents gave us the trip to California for Christmas which we were all excited about. 

After presents Chill and I ran out the door and headed to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to meet up with my family at The Roof.  We were very late!  The parking garage was closed and the doors to the building were all locked, but luckily Chill caught the door as someon walked out and we were in!  We just ate dessert which was fabulous since everyone was done with their dinner.  It was really nice to go out with just the adults.  I think we will make it an annual Christmas tradition! 

Grandma Molly

Chillin's cute little Grandma Molly had a really bad fall at her home and was in the hospital for almost a week.  I think Grandma Molly is one of the sweetest people around.  We were able to go visit her a few times while she was there.  The kids both loved visiting her and Bailey gave her more attention than she ever has before.  Carson just loved the gloves and the mask and pretending he wa a doctor.  He is a character but he definitely keeps us entertained!  We are so glad grandma is recovering and healing!

Christmas Outfits and a Party

Christmas outfits are a big deal to a mom.  I don't know why, but its a big deal.  I started looking for Christmas outfits back in October I think it was.  It's funny that I stress about it because in the end I usually just hurry and throw it together and it turns out fine.  Now if I could just get a good pictures of the kids standing by the tree that would be nice.  Oh well I guess this is what memories are made of. 

Every year we have the Wilcox Family Christmas party and it is a lot of fun.  I really look forward to it.  This year was once again a great time.  It was very small, it seemed like half the people didn't come, but for those that were there, it was a great party.  We always have fabulous food and play a white elephant game.  I think I took home the best present....An ugly Christmas sweater and a Bump It! 

Temple Square

Chill and I had been saying for weeks we need to go to Temple Square.  We knew we needed to go this year because next year we may not be here for Christmas.  You know its a lot of work to get everyone all bundled to go out, but I really wanted to see the lights.  I figured we'd only be there a half hour or so and then the kids would be done.  I was wrong...I think we were there 2.5 minutes and Carson said he wanted to go into the visitors center because he was cold.  So in we went.  We walked around, watched a movie and then he wanted to go home.  We did talk him into going over to Deseret Book (only because we knew they were handing out gingerbread cookies and we bribed him!)  The highlight of the trip was riding the trax because Carson thinks its so fun.  Lets just say maybe it will be a few years before the kids actually appreciate those lights!

Ward Christmas Brunch and a Birthday

Well as many of you may know I am not a big party planner.  I love to attend parties, I love to help with parties, but I DO NOT like to plan them.  Well in the middle of November the bishop approached us and asked us to be in charge of the Ward Christmas Brunch for the year.  We of course accepted, but I was stressed out!  Me stressed out....NEVER!  Part of the problem was Chill was NEVER around.  His work schedule was a little busy so I knew that I would be planning the party.  I am terrible at deligating and had asking for help in these situations.  I finally realized (with the help of my husband) that I just couldn't do it all.  I did what I hate to do and I delegated!  It was SUCH a relief.  Seriously!  After that it was no big deal.  Everything came together and it was wonderful.  Everyone had a good time and there was plenty of food, fun, and entertainment.  My poor kids though.  They had to run around and fend for themselves for a bit.  I think Carson thought it was great being on his own!  Bailey was absolutely exhausted by the end of the party.  So exhausted that she fell asleep on the floor in the kitchen.  Poor little miss!

After the ward party it was on to the next party.  Mom's birthday!  We met up with everyone at the Spaghetti Factory(one of my favorite places) for a tasty dinner and then it was back to our house presents and cake.  Although it was a quick little party we had lots of fun and were glad Brent and Sharna made it along with Sharna's dad!