Holly and Jolly!

Turns out I don't have a ton of photos from the actual holidays of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Or the 23rd. Oh well!

Normally, we head to Crystal Hot Springs on Christmas Eve, but this year that was on a Sunday so we had to adjust and go on Saturday the 23rd instead. Our poor Emma was not feeling great. She got sick just after Thanksgiving, as we pretty much all did. She keeps having relapses though, and was feeling miserable on Saturday. She mostly stayed in bed, but figured a couple of hours spent soaking in hot mineral-filled water would do her good. She wasn't wrong. Those hot springs are just the best. I think we stayed for almost three hours, which is quite a bit longer than we normally stay. We enjoyed chatting with the other Preslars and floating around and watching cousin Lucy get flirted with by a boy, though he fled when Sam started to swim in their general direction. That was funny.

Christmas Eve was a busy day, but even so I confess that I love a Sunday Christmas Eve. I feel like church is just where we should be! Again, Emma wasn't feeling well, so she stayed in bed most of the day. I tried to not leave her too much, but she also kind of loves quiet alone time and just snuggled down in her covers and stayed cozy. We did not attend our own ward - Romney had been invited by Rollins to play cello in a quartet with an organ and two vocalists. Troy and I enjoyed sitting in the historic building they meet in, surrounded by Romney's friends, and listening to lots of music and a little speaking, plus a LOT of crying and hollering by the large number of children in the congregation. Hey, it was Christmas Eve. Emotions were running high. I was just glad I wasn't busy wrestling my own little kids during church this year. I could just sit and laugh at the other parents who are still in it up to their necks. Sorry, that's probably doesn't sound very nice.

After church was brunch at the Buchert's - usually it's an 8am date so we can enjoy the broadcast of the Christmas Eve service from the Choir at King's College. Just wasn't going to work this year. Instead we listened to a previous broadcast, enjoyed Martin's comments on the importance of bacon cooked at home rather than the pre-cooked variety, and ate egg casserole and baked french toast with berries. How blessed we are with dear friends.

The evening consisted of a visit from Grandma Carol, plus our sweet young friends Rob and Shelley, who were alone on Christmas this year. We ate our traditional waffles with a side of very delicious wassail, and watched A Muppet Christmas Carol. We also had a surprise visit from our friends Emily and Raushan, who not only wanted to drop off a little gift but needed a quiet minute of council and support from us. It was actually incredibly tender to talk with them, for Troy to give Raushan a blessing, and for us to express our deep love for each other. Wonderful evening.

Christmas Morning was filled with the same things we do each year. Meet up in the kitchen, line up behind dad, youngest to oldest, make our way into the living room with eyes closed and then Oooo and Ahhh as eyes are opened to the grand sight of the lit up tree, presents piled beneath. We took a few minutes to just enjoy the moment and take a couple of pictures.

Some favorite gifts:

Purple Converse!

I got a new phone with a very sturdy but boring case - Romney did some custom art to make me love it

Troy is the winner for finding this company that will make custom stamps - this got the biggest laugh

Troy's favorite may have been his "Just LeDeux It" Hoodie

Oh and a new and cute and little and quiet air compressor

Another very fantastic gift was getting one of those surprise texts from a member in Chase's mission, who hosted him and his companion for Christmas Eve and send us photos. We miss our boy extra this year. Our last Christmas with him away!

 

I feel so much gratitude for all the wonderful things in my life, especially my family. So much to celebrate.