Holiday Highlights

This year's Christmas was one for the history books. After not thinking Parker would be able to get time off work to go to my parents' house, we were pleasantly surprised and so excited when we found out he was given the days off we wanted!! This meant that EVERY member of my family would be there! This produced feelings of excitement as well as anxiety knowing the number of people this included, and the square footage of my parents' home. But, have no fear, if my family is anything, we are master-planners! This Christmas vacation turned into "Camp Christmas". Fun crafts and activities were planned for the kids to do everyday, and every night we had a "campfire" (minus the fire) as a family. Here we all are! Almost all smiling . . . Jeremiah.
It was so fun to get these adorable four little girl cousins together, and it just wouldn't be right if they didn't have matching outfits!
The Nativity was re-enacted on Christmas Eve. Jeremiah was a shepherd and Lily was a sheep.

Christmas morning! Lined up, youngest to oldest. Can't hold them much longer!
This handsome boy got a Thomas train of his very own, so he doesn't need to steal them from Benj's house anymore!
My little Lily got a baby doll and stroller. She was so excited!! Now she points to her baby and says, "mama".
The countless battles over the stroller begin. . .
Lily has turned into a complete daddy's girl! (And I'm pretty sure Parker's not complaining:)

It must be mentioned, that Jeremiah fell in LOVE with Scott's wife Lauren. He always wanted to sit by her, touch her hair, and play with her earrings. In fact, I did my hair straight the other day and he said, "It's just like Lauren's!" It gives me hope that Lauren is the type of girl he loves :)
We visited Grandma and Grandpa Westover.
The day before we left we had a birthday party for all the January b-days. Lily and Molly were ALL ABOUT the cake!
Parker's sanity on this trip was preserved by one thing. We slept at Grandma and Grandpa Jensen's house. We had such a good time getting to be with them and watch our kids get to know and love them.

Then it was home again, home again, jiggity-jig! And over to Grandma and Grandpa Dixon's house for Christmas #2!

We had one of the best Christmas' yet and it was all due to our wonderful, loving, supportive, fun family members. This year I also truly felt a deeper love for my Savior, Jesus Christ as well as an ever-deepening gratitude for the countless blessings he sends. Merry Christmas!