Christmas

We put all of Persy's presents into an igloo tent on Christmas morning. She had a lot of fun playing inside. We spent Christmas in Logan with extended family and had a great time that weekend hanging out, bowling, running, going to "Sherlock Holmes," and even playing laser tag.

Persy and her cousin with their new Mongolian princess hats.


Gabe, exhausted after all the festivities

Nativity Cast and Crew

Every Christmas my family gets together to act out the Nativity. There's always a festive dinner of clam chowder and Christmas candies. There's always the somewhat rambunctious group of cousins running about dressed as angels, shepherds, etc, and there's always the stern warning against lighting house and hair on fire as we each light a candle and sing "Silent Night." It's always a fun event that everyone enjoys!

Our Little Angel

The Wise People

Mary, Joseph, and a Shepherd

The night ended with Persy getting to open gifts from her Grammy and Grandpa.

Scary Santa

I can't stop smiling at these pictures of pure terror we caught on Gabe's iphone . . . I hope this doesn't reflect poorly on me as a mother.

Mixed Reviews

Lights on Temple Square got mixed reviews from Persy this year. She loved going inside the visitor's center to see the giant statue of Christ, but she was cold and a little cranky for the outdoor portion. Classic grumpiness! :)

Christmas in Hawaii

Gabe and I enjoyed the rare treat of spending Christmas in Hawaii with extended family this year. We had been planning the trip for the last 5 years with my parents and siblings. We stayed in a beach house in Laie on the island of Oahu. Most of my siblings were able to come with their children, but my brother Michael and his family had to stay in Vermont to take care of the Bed and Breakfast that they own. Here are a few pictures:

Beach Baby

We're enjoying an awesome trip to Hawaii this Christmas with extended family. Here are a few preliminary pictures of our little beach baby. It's been fun to see her experience the ocean for the first time.

Lights on Temple Square

We braved the traffic and took Persephone to see the lights on Temple Square last night. She seemed to enjoy the exeperience and kept looking intensely at all the people and lights. She was most mesmerized by the flashing lights of a cop car and by the kilt wearing, bag pipe playing Santa. It was a fun evening!

Baby Reuben

Baby Reuben is the newest and snuggliest of my 13 nieces and nephews. This year he starred as baby Jesus in the family nativity. He is getting so smiley and happy!