I love each of these pictures, when I see them I see an amazing holiday season. A very busy one, but one that created so many memories that will last forever. I am a traditions kind of gal. I love finding new ones and keeping the old ones going strong. I found out about this great "live nativity" early in the month and thought we'd check it out. It turned out to be a new favorite. The people who put it on are incredible. They have everyone dressed in period, they have a live camel, "Roman soldiers" on horseback...everything. It was a great way to bring in the season. We also got to attend 2 very special concerts, one a dance recital for Savannah and Sarah. They were both wonderful, Sarah would even tell you so herself! Richie had a band concert, he plays the trumpet and is quite good for one who does not do much practicing! St. Nicholas came this year, I guess we were good enough. I make pj's for the kids and give them to them on that special day. This year they are sporting "puffy penguins". Paul and I got to help with Savannah and Cory's class parties and then watch them perform at the Christmas show, always a treat! Can we just say SNOW...seriously. I know that I live in Utah, but really there is a point of enough snow. I am not the bravest driver unless I am behind the 4WD, which usually I am not, so it all seems like a hinderance. However, to my kids it is a wonderland. They can stay out and play out for hours, their favorite is having Paul hitch a tow rope to the car and pull a sled behind it while driving around the neighborhood. he delights in going over every possible pile of snow to see if they will stay on. I wasn't going to let the weather ruin it all for me. I even arranged for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the display of lights at Thanksgiving Point. It was freezing, but really fun. We also checked out the live reindeer that night, very cool of them to take time for visitors during their busy season with Santa & all. We had our traditional Christmas Eve at Grandma Winns. We get together for food, gifts, and of course our version of the nativity. There are so many cousins now that we can out together quite a cast. Savannah got her shot at being mary this year, but decided she would be just as happy being a camel with her cousin Cambreigh. Sarah was an angel, Cory a wisemen, and Richie, the good sport that he is was a shepherd. It is always such fun. Then we were off to our home to hopefully have some "visions of sugarplums". It was a good thing we took time to make cookies for Santa, and I guess it paid off because we all seemed pretty happy that morning. We spent the day eating, keeping busy with the gifts, and visiting other grandma, "brownie grandma" as she is called around here. Sarah made the differentiation clear long ago. Grandma who makes brownies is "brownie grandma" the one who has a dog named Sasha is "Sasha grandma"...easy enough. We had a nice dinner and visit with all. They only thing we were missing is you little cuties from VA and NC. Wish we could have been together. Hopefully the pictures will close the distance a bit. Now it is time for the new year, mmmm...I love this time of year. I love wondering what it will bring and writing down those many, many resolutions. My true hope is that I can accomplish at least some of them!
Happy New Year to you all....We love you!
After that everyone started to leave, we cleaned up, and decided to end the night "wakefield style"...we snuggled in to watch "Christmas Vacation" (edited of course). Although the holiday seems like a flash, I am grateful for a day to remember all we have to be thankful for. We missed you all and hope that your holiday was just as memorable.
