A Blink and it Was Over!

One of these days our photos will be collected, sorted and neatly organized into posts that will document our last few weeks.  In the meantime....there are  business deadlines and life to deal with.

baby steps...

The first order of business was to pick out a Christmas tree and string some popcorn!

Liam picked out this nice plumb tree and we got straight to work stringing.

 Everyone had their own pattern with the cranberries and corn...and surprisingly no one poked them self with a needle.  We have been stringing popcorn for our tree for many many years.  We did the same in the family I grew up in.  A fun tradition!

 Liam worked hard until his string was as tall as he was!

 

Who doesn't love snuggling up in the light of the tree and 

sipping on hot chocolate and reading Christmas stories?

 

******

Dec 23rd was Lindsey's birthday! She has been on bed rest for the past few weeks hoping to give little brother a few more weeks to get healthy and strong.  We borrowed a wheelchair from Dad's clinic and checked in to a hotel downtown in Salt Lake City.  We had a great time seeing the lights on Temple Square, eating great food and celebrating!  It was bitter cold out but no one seemed to mind too much as we stayed bundled up and enjoyed each others company.

 Yes...we actually did prepare a scrumptious Lobster Dinner in our hotel room!  We had a full kitchen and it worked out pretty well :)  We brought a couple of soups from home (Loaded Baked Potato and Chicken Mushroom) along with some Crumb Brother's Bread!  What a birthday feast!

We bundled up and headed to Temple Square.  We will forever remember the two little girls be-bopping down the blocks of Salt Lake City in their adorable little pink coats and winter beanies.

Magic in the air...lots of people to watch and the energy only found in cities. We listened to instrumental quartets playing on the streets and watched couples and young families go for horse and buggy rides.  We warmed up by the fireplace with Hot Fudge Brownies!  The perfect ending to sweet day. Happy Birthday, Lindsey - we LOVE you!

 Stories...songs and a soak in the tub.  We were ready to hit the hay! 

In the morning we enjoyed waffles downstairs and packed up for home.

Christmas Eve

A soak in the hot tub...watching for Santa's sleigh

Christmas Dinner is traditionally some kind of seafood.  This year Camber suggested Fish Tacos.

They were very tasty! For dessert we added a Brazilian flair in honor of Em...

Peanut Tart.  We brought some of the Brazilian cookies home and I did my best to 

re-produce Marisa's recipe. It turned out really nice.

 Lemon Mousse and Peanut Tart

The excitement is contagious!  We read The Night Before Christmas - by Robert Sabuda

a beautiful pop up books that captivates everyone.

Then on to the Nativity Story
Luke 2

 
Elsie was the sweetest little Mary with her baby Jesus doll.

Brady and Dani had the kids open PJ's and Christmas ornaments.
 We loved having Camber home!  We had a sweet night together.
(We were certainly missing everyone else in our family!)

Dani played a Christmas song for us on her violin and helped
Liam and Elsie set out a plate of cookies for Santa.

Now wait a minute...Liam promised Santa four
cookies since he had asked for four things!
Guess we will have to replace the one Papa couldn't resist!
(love the carrot snacks for the reindeer :)