We had a different Christmas here in Arizona. The weather was different and it was hard to picture Christmas here. David and I attended the Mesa temple and the lights were up as well as the nativity. That got us a little adjusted. Homes were quickly decorated around us and the kids had lights to see everywhere they went. We got our snow in Utah. What made our Christmas even more different was our distance away from family. Taylin had two weeks off. I thought that would be a great time to be in Texas. As much as I wanted to be with family, I couldn't leave David here for Christmas. He had a heavy work schedule for December. He had to work a regular work week for Christmas. Then he was on call Saturday. That was tough.
We enjoyed several surprised from our Secret Santa. They hadn't knocked until the night I was only and feeding Teague. Had I not been alone...I would have gone on a chase. They treated us very kindly. After their fun drop offs, I feel we let our Secret Santa family down. We did the best we could with the time we had. I couldn't knock and run very discretely with four kids that might not be very quick or quiet. That would be less than secret. These are two of our treasures we found on our step. David left so early in the morning, he almost stepped on them. The cake pops were yummmy (www.bakerella.com).
They must know our family fairly well. We actually had them over for Christmas Eve Chili and Queso. I sort of put them on the spot and figured out they were our Secret Santa. Thank you Lybbert family!We tried to keep many of our traditions alive, although things didn't all go smoothly. I messed up the sugar cookie recipe, so no shaped cookies. We had to use our creativity in other ways.
I am not sure all were edible. The kids were kind to Santa. I asked them to pick a few cookies for Santa and they left the edible ones. 
A snowman wearing a scarf.
Yes, this is our beautiful Christmas tree!
A snowman wearing a scarf.
Yes, this is our beautiful Christmas tree!
Ahhh, memories flashed of David and our first Christmas tree (a small plant with our longest socks hung). We went back and forth whether we should get a real tree or not. Because it is so dry, they don't last long. I wasn't looking forward to paying so much for a tree that was only going to last two weeks. I also wasn't ready to pay so much for an artificial tree. I looked everywhere. The kids came with me everywhere and I was unsatisfied. If we were going to have it for a few years, I had to like it. The kids didn't think Santa would come without a tree...we already didn't have a fireplace, so the kids were very worried. I asked David to buy some green poster board. I should have specified what it was for. We disguised the neon green as best we could with green hand prints and then some ornaments made by the kiddos. They missed putting their ornaments up. Oh, but they had their chance. I found a great tree the day after Christmas on sale. David was working, so when he came home our tree was up and the kids had their decorations proudly placed in clumps. I didn't move them, because the tree would only be up for a week. Our poster board tree was safe from a two year old and a nine month old's destruction.
David was able to come home early Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. He had to go in to work way before the kids were up Christmas morning. They actually slept in. Taylin was waking everyone up for the morning. The kids did good to only open Santa gifts until Daddy got home. They did so good! I didn't know how much it was eating at them. As soon as David walked in the door they ran to the rest of the presents to open.
Hardly any order to the opening. We had to make sure everyone got the presents that were meant for them. It is nice, they are all so close in age the toys entertain everyone. 
I am always surprised at who is excited about what. Either way all the toys get plenty of love.
Even with Santa's Pediatric background. Cohen got what was on his Christmas wish, a skateboard. He also got a remote control car. Cohen would stand on the skateboard with pads on and all and run his car around. I have to keep a close eye on it, so we don't have any special doctor runs due to the skateboard.Our Christmas was a little quieter, but we were able to experience the true spirit of Christmas as we were humbled so far away from family. We felt love from family through cards and phone calls. We also felt love from our friends we have made here. Even though we didn't get to participate in all of our traditions, it made it a little easier to focus on the beautiful life of the Savior.
1 comment:
Love it. :)
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