Chrismas Time

We survived another holiday! :) This year we did two Christmas's again. Because I'm an adult and can make up my own rules about these things. So on December 22nd we had our first, early Christmas Eve. (Or Christmas Adam's Eve. Or Christmas Eve Eve Eve....) We did this so that we could have Christmas at home AND then again in Boise and not have to pack all of the presents to Idaho. It was also nice because Buck's parents were able come over for it too and it's like we got to do Christmas with both families.

So I made a fancy dinner of crab legs, sourdough bread, artichokes, tomato and mozzarella, and a red and green fruit salad of grapes, kiwi, strawberries and raspberries. For the girls we made white mac and cheese. We had a candle light dinner. For dessert we had little cheese cakes. Then we sat together and read the bible story of Christ's birth and then watched a little video about it. Then we prayed and I think that was it.

And the stockings were hung.... er, I mean, piled in a heap by the chimney with care...

 Then the girls got to open new pajamas and then presents from their Nana and Pops. They were very excited! 

 And then to bed they went and Buck and I stayed up super late assembling presents and getting it ready for their “Christmas” morning.

The morning finally came and the girls were surprised at their gifts. I also thought this was funny and worth mentioning: My presents were cursed this year. Buck's present to me got back ordered, his parents present to me arrived damaged and so was sent back and my parent's present to me got lost in shipment and they didn't have any more in stock! Haha

Later that morning Ben and Lauren came and spoiled them all with more gifts. Then we just spent the day at home playing with gifts and me stressing out over cleaning it all up. Haha. AND I was trying to pack for everyone for Boise! (can you blame my stress? no.)

Christmas carnage

 A few fun photos my sis-in law, Lauren, took! 

So the next day we drove to Boise. 

We got there pretty much in time for Christmas Eve dinner. Erin and Dan came over too. We had the traditional fondue dinner. Then it was de-ja-vu all over again with getting them to bed and setting up some presents. We didn't have as much this time, of course, but my mom always manages to have things for everyone to unwrap. 

The "green couch" 

There was fog that night and it made these lights cool

  June and I also walked to the park to see the luminaries.

 June was concerned about Santa's diet this year. 

"Santa. Eat the orange if you don't need more treats!"

So Christmas morning was good. More presents. Good breakfast. Playing and hanging out. Erin and Dan came over. We had a goose dinner with figgy pudding. Played games. A success.

The next day Buck and I got to go to the temple. Erin and Dan came over again. Just lots of crazy kids and hanging out this day!

Despite how they make it look, it was very cold outside... 

The next day we all went out to breakfast and then went to the new Children's museum. It's a small museum but really well done so the kids all had a lot of fun! Then it was back home again, more dress ups, playing games, movies, the works. That night June and Hazel had a sleepover with Ginny at her house. Buck and I and my mom stayed over there too and played games with Erin and dan until it was way too late. 

And apparently I followed Hazel around the museum the most.

 Later that day, after more hanging out of course, we all went to the Capital building and took some family photos and then photos of the girls in their Christmas dresses that Erin made. It was a bit crazy with everyone but the girls loved the fancy building and Hazel loved the view of the city.

 Spot the Liz

 And sorry, there are too many cute ones I have to post!

Behind the scenes ;) 

Saturday Erin and Dan left for Utah and we stayed in Boise for one extra day. Buck and I went on a random shopping trip with just Hazel. Then we all went to a fun kids movie, which was our first time with all four kids! But it went surprisingly well. 

Then the next day we packed up and drove home. Johnny slept more this trip, which was fantastic, and again, I just played non stop movies for the girls. ;) The end of the drive was stressful as it got dark outside and we hit a snow storm in Utah. The roads were really slick but Buck did a great job driving and thankfully so did everyone around us...

So that was Boise! Over all it was a good time. It always is. I felt more relaxed like I always do. I even took a few naps and hid away in the bed a few times. The girls had fun and Buck got to play more games than he has in a long time. And of course we love all the family time!