December Festivities

We had an incredibly busy December this year. It was full of lots of wonderful things but it was very full. We tried our best to take each thing and enjoy it as it came, but there wasn't much room for planning ahead. It was more of a one-thing at a time kind of a month.  Here's a recap of some of the bigger events:

Lights at Thanksgiving Point

{December 1st}

Thanksgiving Point does a drive-through light show. We got a bag of candy and took a drive one night after dinner. Lydia and Austin both loved not having to sit in their carseat and it was super fun to see all the lights. Austin loved driving the car with David. I heard that they aren't going to do it next year and I'm sad because I had all sorts of ideas of picking up dinner and eating as a family in the car as we drove through the lights with lots of blankets and making it a tradition as our kids got older. But - I guess we will have to find something else.  

Decorating for Christmas

December 3rd

We turned on some Christmas Music and got our festive on. It was wonderful. 

Christmas Gift Prep

December 9th

One of the presents that I got for David required a secret trip to Logan. (And about 20 phone calls with Al's Trophies and Frames - who I totally recommend.) It was lunchtime and Lydia wanted to go a place that had a play-place but I seriously couldn't find a single place. So I picked up some Burger King and we went to the Mall because I thought there was a little play-area there. Apparently they had removed it for a "Meet Santa" area. So I let the kids play on these little coin operated machines even though I didn't have any quarters. We ate on some couches nearby. Toward the end, Santa came and gave each of us a candy cane and talked to Lydia about his reindeer and bells. He invited us in to the little area, but Lydia didn't want anything to do with him. Also pictures were like $35, which was crazy. But a fun memory that Lydia keeps talking about. Even right now when she saw these pictures she asked if sometime we could "go back there and see Santa again"? Also, apparently Austin loves "helping" wrap presents. 

Eide Bailly Christmas Party

December 12th

The EB Christmas Party was held at the Little America. It was a delicious dinner with fabulous entertainment from Dueling Pianos. It was a great night and so nice to get out and have a fancy date together. 

Scott and Lori Walker 30th Anniversary Party

Has it's own blog post, but again - we were so happy to be able to celebrate this wonderful milestone with my amazing parents. 

Baby Jason - Haderlie Family - Camille 

December 18th

I'm so excited for baby Jason! My sister Jenna was due right before Christmas, and we asked if we could watch Camille while she was in the hospital. When Jenna had Camille, she was so far away that I wasn't ever able to do much. I wanted this time to be different. I'm so glad that we were able to have Camille stay with us for a couple of days. I love her so much, I didn't want her to go home! We played, ran errands, and, oh - had a "popcorn picnic".  

Grandpa Walker's 80th Birthday Party in Lyman, WY

December 19th

(Ellis Ramon Waker or Grandpa-Great )

My wonderful grandfather turns 80 on December 23rd. My dad and his siblings threw him a large party with all of my grandpa's family and friends. They put an ad in the paper and invited the whole town. It's so neat to see so many people show up to celebrate him and his life. He's lived for almost 80 years in the same small town. It's such a different way to live than most people live now and so neat to see the impact of his life in such a tangible way. We are so honored to be his posterity and to benefit from his legacy. It was so wonderful to celebrate with him. I'm also so glad that my grandmother was able to come and celebrate with him. 

Peaden Family Christmas Party

December 20th
The Peaden Family Christmas Party is always a great time. This year was our turn to plan the festivities, and I think it turned out really great. Sugar cookie decorating (or in Lydia's case - sugar cookie sprinkle dumping). Putting together service kits for the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center Pediatric unit. (Overnight kits, activity bags, and craft kits.) Singing Christmas songs together. A giant candy-filled saran wrap ball that each person got a chance to unravel. A smashing success if I do say so myself. Oh, and picking out the Peaden Christmas tree was so great, too. 

 

Elves at Gardner Village

December 21st

We love to go visit the Witches at Gardner Village with Melissa and Zachary and this year we ventured out to see the Elves that they put out at Christmastime. I love when Lydia and Zach play together so well. I wore Austin for most of the time, but let him out for a bit when we got our treat at one of the little shops. 

Matthew & Brooklyn got Married!

December 22nd

I love weddings. And I love these two. So. Much. Happiness. 

It deserves it's own blog post - so I'll do that, but I wanted to include it here, too. 

Christmas Kickoff

December 23rd

We decided to start a new tradition and do a small celebration/party with just our little family. Christmas is usually split between our two families so it is nice to do something special with just us. We watched the Sofia the First Movie (we'd watched the tv show on Netflix but never seen the movie that explained how it began), ate cookies and popcorn, and just enjoyed a the evening together. The perfect Christmas Kickoff. 

It's been a wonderful month full of many great things. Now... on to Christmas!