December

December was a fun, fairly simple month. We tried our best to enjoy the holidays and not stress about doing a ton of things. Of course we had many appointments, but overall, we just enjoyed the holiday. We made a gingerbread train, attempted doing daily ornaments (25 Days of Christ) to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, read lots of Christmas stories, watched Christmas shows, and even did a "Mini Van Express." It was to be like the Polar Express, but in the van. We drove around and looked at Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate and eating popcorn in the van. Nana came along. It was a lot of fun and definitely a new tradition. We made sugar cookies and had Aunt Katie over to help us.

We went to the annual Smith Family Christmas Party in Lehi (it was weird not having Todd there) and to Aunt Johnnie's annual Christma Eve party. We also had Cooper's Preschool Christmas Program. They sang cute songs (Cooper mostly clapped and wiggled). He got to say "I love the lights at Christmas time" and light the Christmas trees.

Christmas Day was fun, too. We had our own little Christmas at home, then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Smith's for barfushka (spelling... a German breakfast our Grandpa makes each year) and gifts, then to Chris parent's for gifts and off to his Aunt Jodean's for lunch and to speak with Elder (Daniel) Child via Skype, and ended the day at Nana's opening gifts, having a delicious dinner, and watching Christmas shows like Rudolph. I was worried it would seem like a crazy day, but it was quite relaxed. We left places when we needed to to get to the next place on time. It was fun having Easton home to enjoy Christmas with us this year.

(A couple of pictures to come.)