Christmas Festivities 2014

This Christmas season was hands down my most favorite in the history of forever. It trumped all my childhood Christmas's hands down!! Cameron still didn't get the idea of Santa this year, but he was so excited and full of life about every detail!! 

I grew up always putting out the Christmas decorations the weekend of Thanksgiving, so to continue that tradition we put out our decorations. I scaled way back in what I put out this year- not sure how well Cameron would leave things alone. We did our tree- got shatterproof ornaments-, a few Santa's were put out, and my nativity.  Cameron proved to be a very good listener, and quite well behaved. I expected to have to put things back on shelves and on the tree daily- but he stayed true to his cautious side and left it all alone mostly. 

I have gotten an ornament for him every year so far- this year was no different- we got him  Mickey Mouse ornament. That has been one of his major preferences over this past year. 

After the tree had been up a few days, the rearranging of ornaments started, but he didn't get too crazy! He would bring the round ones to me and say ball- I told yes they look like balls but we use them to make our tree pretty and he would put them back. He was also really interested in his photo ornament from last year so we talked a lot about Mickey mouse and baby cameron. 

One fun activity Cameron and I did while Dan was working on year end tax stuff, is go to see Jaxson sing is his school Christmas concert! That free spirited boy did a good job, and Cameron really enjoyed dancing to the music! Jaxson was so excited that we could hear him say hi to Cameron and I in the middle of the program!

Of course we had to go see Christmas lights, but we didn't brave the crowds at temple square this year. We did 3 different car drive by types, 2 of them were houses decked out and synced to music. Those were neat and Cameron really liked them. 

Then we also went to the draper tree lights- it has been dubbed the Tree of Life from the Book of Mormon. I am sure you can see why. It was really neat. After we saw that, we drove down to the Thanksgiving point lights. They have a great 10-15 minute course of animated lights and displays to drive through. 

 I just love my cute little family!

We let Cam ride in the front unbuckled for the tour at thanksgiving point. He soaked it all in and loved it!

Of course Grandma's tree was a highlight of the season too. He loved to watch it, and didn't let us hardly get through the front door without getting the lights plugged in.

This kid LOVES his grandparents. He teases and kissed Grandma lots, and Grandpa is one of the only people that he will sit still for more than 10 seconds!

On Christmas Eve, we had a lovely day with family. Cameron played and played. I think my most favorite moment from all of Christmas happened this night too. 

After our delicious ham dinner, we all gathered into the family room for family home evening and to read the story of Christ's birth in Luke. 

Being that we did a full Family Home Evening- this is my favorite part- Dad lead us in singing silent night. For the first oh maybe 2 lines, Cameron was in his own little boy world, then he realized we were all reverently singing. 

He stopped in the middle of the room, and looked around. The curious look was followed by what I can only tell you was complete and innocent humble behavior- a perfect and wonderful little boy touched by the spirit. He just stood there and watched us all, and smiled. These are the moments that give me such joy- worth every sleepless night, and hardship.

After FHE, we came home, and all opened our Christmas Eve Jammies and a new book. We read the book and went to bed, and to what do our wondering eyes appear- but Santa came and unloaded some treats!

Santa came!!! {He fills our stockings and leaves just a couple gifts} So Mom and Dad really spoiled this boy too!

Christmas Morning, we opened presents, and ate sticky buns for breakfast. Then Cameron played and played with his new toys, we took a nap, and headed to Grandma and Grandpas!

He LOVES trucks, cars, and airplanes. All boy for sure! He loves that he can sit in his new big dump truck!

 There is one of those sweet smiles he saves for special people. This one was for Grandma.

He LOVES LOVES his uncle Ben. Ben is pretty darn cute with him too. They are cute buddies.

Opening more gifts with Dad at Grandma and Grandpa's. He loved opening gifts this year! YAY! No tears at the wrapping paper.

What a wonderful way to spend our holidays and celebrate the birth of our Savior and brother Jesus Christ! I am so grateful that even my sweet small boy was able to feel of the true spirit of Christmas!

Christmas 2013

WOW! This year has flown by incredibly fast. Christmas has come and gone! Cameron's first Christmas was a success! We had such a fun time with him- I am sure that many Christmas' to come will be filled with surprise and joy.
To start off our festivities on Christmas Eve, we went to breakfast with Mom and Liz. Dad and Ben were going to come, but nasty colds kept them at home.

After breakfast, Dan and I went and got Jaxson, and we went sledding down a little hill at the school yard in our neighborhood. Cameron didn't seem to care one way or the other- I think he was just mad that he was so bundled he could barely move. Jaxson had a blast though and finally got brave enough to go down alone.

After sledding, we got some lunch then got ready and headed to Mom and Dad's for dinner and FHE. We enjoyed cold cut sandwiches and read the story of Christ's birth from the Bible. Mom also shared a story that had been submitted to the newspaper about a Christmas one man experienced as a child during the depression. My! How humbling it is when we read of others' experiences. It is easy to overlook our own abundant blessings sometimes!

When we got home, we broke out our Christmas Jammies! Two traditions that will stay with our family as we grow is: 1. Christmas Eve Jammie's. and 2. A new ornament every year so that when Cam and any other kids we might have grow up, they will have a handful of their own ornaments to start off their own traditions with.

There was one ornament that Cameron kept picking off of Grandma's tree- so he got to bring it home as a souvenir from Grandma's tree for his first Christmas.

For Christmas Day, we got up, and ate breakfast before we started our gifts. I know after these first couple years that won't be the way Cameron will let us start the day! We then proceeded to open our Christmas presents!

I know I have mentioned- Teething is a total party crasher. Cameron has been really cranky for a week now, because he is getting in 2 more teeth. I thought he would at least have fun just shredding the paper to pieces, but no, our boy cried and fussed while we tried to open presents. He ended up just playing with toys while we opened all his gifts!

You know you are an old housewife when you start recieving appliances for gifts. I was so excited to get a new crockpot- a programmable one!
Dan was super excited to get a record player!
Cameron's favorite gift ended up being his tricycle! It is a neat one because it has handles and a harness for us to push him in it- then when he gets old enough, it turns into a regular kid trike!

We had us a nice visit with Ty and Krissy, and then with Grandpa B. It was really cute- these two dashing fella's had the same hat!!

We then enjoyed a wonderful visit at Mom and Dad's and ate a yummy ham dinner.
Between Santa, us, and Grandma and Grandpa, and my Dad- Cameron got tons for Christmas!

By the time we got to Grandma and Grandpa's and did gift exchanges, Cam had got the hang of it a bit and had a little more fun than he had in the morning!!!