December/ Christmas 2016

We got Christmas decorations up right after Thanksgiving.  Henry decided our Christmas quilt was one of his favorite parts.  He's been snuggling and playing in our bed all month. 

Took a quick evening at the Riparian After Dark.  We had been delivering neighbor gifts earlier that night at it was quite warm.  When we got to the riparian the weather seriously changed and it was very very cold.  So our night of lights got cut pretty short! 

I've just loved this little boy all bundled up. 

Henry actually did really really well keeping the ornaments on the tree.  Every few days he'd remember and take a few off.  But it wasn't like we had to keep the whole bottom ornament free.  Henry is a pretty obedient baby. And this is one of five Christmas PJs this boy got. 

Baby had the anatomy ultrasound that we all went to.  And yes it is definitely a boy!  We all wanted another boy so bad.  And now Henry and his brother will be almost exactly two years a part. 

One day, the tree lights decided to do this..... 

There are 26 strands plus the star on the tree and we must of shorted them out.  Hunter came home to my rescue and found the blown fuse right away.  He was using the screwdriver to open the strands, so when he dropped it on the floor for a minute, Henry picked it right up and started helping his Dad work on the Christmas tree. 

I love this photo of our Christmas house. 

More Christmas PJs and a climber. 

Nona came over to make sugar cookies and I love this picture of Henry looking right at her. 

Before a party about three days before Christmas, we stopped at Hunter's parent's house and the tree already had all these presents.  I couldn't find Henry for a few minutes and then saw him here- just touching and moving the presents.  He was about to rip one open but I caught him! 

CHRISTMAS EVE AT MY PARENTS:

We had just watched Luke 2 from the Church and Henry totally felt the Spirit.  He sat on the couch and watched it with us.  And after a few minutes he folded his arms.  Whenever he folds his arms I know he feels the Spirit. 

Henry was ready for bed on Christmas Eve.

Showing us his belly button. 

Once Henry had been bathed and snuggled up to sleep, we finished up Christmas prep.  And got the camera ready for morning.  And we took our annual "Parents Christmas Eve Photo".  At least thats what I'm calling it. 

More of us on Christmas Eve. 

CHRISTMAS DAY!

We went to church which was so great.  We started with I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.  And I tell you, that song is instant tears for me.  I just felt so full of gratitude the entire meeting.  

Opening presents at home.  Henry's favorite were the Gerber baby puffs. He just sat and ate them once he opened them- totally uninterested in anything else. 

Presents at my parents. 

More puffs. 

My face.  Making sure the camera's remote was working. 

Then we headed to Garners.  I was super lame about taking pictures there.  My nose was really congested and I was feeling pretty worn out already.  But we did have our traditional meat, cheese, relish and dessert spread all over the kitchen.  Most of us can agree that this food is our favorite part of Christmas.  Then a 2 hour kids opening presents session.  Followed by everyone changing clothes and then taking our family pictures.  

Then coming back to the house for grown-up present exchange (another 2 hours) and lasagna dinner. 

Also- our hot cocoa party was the day after Christmas this year since Christmas was extra packed with church and family pictures.  We had a better turn out than usual and it was probably my least stressful one.  We might stick to this day-after thing.