CHRISTMAS 2011

We had such WONDERFUL holidays! It is always fun to spend time with family, but the holidays offer a different atmosphere.  More family in town than usual, Jason home from work more, fun activities delicious food, traditions and MORE food are just some of the benefits to the holiday season. We had so much fun over the holidays, as always, and it was sad to see them come to and end and return to 'real life.' 

Several weeks before Christmas Ellie had the joy of decorating a chocolate house. In reality Jason did all of the decorating and Ellie did all of the tasting. She loved this activity and LOVED the frosting even more! 

Yep...might as well just hook her up to a continuous infusion of frosting! 

THANKS Nana for the fun activity! I can't wait to do it again next year! 

Christmas was WONDERFUL. We were SPOILED rotten and had such a great time with family. We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house with all my dad's side of the family from out of town at our place. It was fun to see cousin's I hadn't seen in years! Ellie enjoyed her second 'Ellie box' experience (which I didn't get any good picture of). Then we headed to the house Jason grew up in to prepare for the big day and hit the sack. During our car ride back to SLC Ellie SOAKED through her diaper so we had a jammy catastrophe that was saved by cousin Street's jammie's! Ellie did not care on bit that she went to bed in boy jammies rather than her cute red Christmas jammies. When she went down stairs to discover the Christmas stash she went right to her stocking and found the fruit snacks then plopped herself right in her NEW chair. We had to help her notice Santa's present...her new art easel. She LOVES to draw and she LOVES to play with magnets so we're sure glad Santa brought that gift for Ellie.

After her initial discoveries she was not interested in all the other presents and excitement of the morning...she just wanted to eat! So while her cousin's were busy opening gifts she was enjoying her Christmas breakfast.

Mmmmmm thanks for the yummy pull-a-parts and breakfast casserole Nana!

Ellie actually spent most of the morning off doing her own thing. Every now and again we pulled her away from fridge magnets and the office (which she loved to shut herself in) to come open a present or two.

A new Barney DVD was just the thing to lure her away from play time to come open presents.

She like to pull the wrapping paper off but didn't really get the present thing this year. I'm sure next year will be much more fun to see her excitement and  love for present. 

Every now and again she found something that totally mesmerized her! Mostly these things were her cousin's presents...since most of hers were in boxes.  

Daddy with his new Apple TV! Oh the joy this will bring. If you want to make Jason happy, simply give him ANYTHING made by Apple! 

Ellie had lots and  LOTS of playing and fun before church with all the toys. Between going to bed late, getting up early and playing and playing by the time we went to church Ellie was EXHAUSTED! She was pretty good through sacrament considering her exhaustion but was definitely ready for a nap. Once we got in the car and started to drive home she was OUT! 

After nap time it was time to get rid of the boxes she opened and let her play with her new toys. She LOVES her new kitchen...

new little people house and ALL the other spoils she came away with. 

If you can believe it...everything here doesn't include all she got!!! Besides her chair, easel, kitchen and house she was spoiled rotten with books, art supplies, puzzles, tub toys, DARLING clothes and so much more I can't even remember it all! 

Ellie is my little monkey and loves CLIMB on anything she can, and her new kitchen is no exception. She climbs on it to reach the light switch and turn the lights on and off!

Here she was climbing on it to get a better look at all her presents. Note the absence of the sink! :-) 

And when she found her new Barney DVD....

all she wanted to do was watch it! I'm going to be in trouble when she figures out how to work the DVD player! 

After a relaxing afternoon and playing with new toys we had a great family dinner and one last party before Christmas came to and end. 

THANK YOU to all of our families who spoiled us rotten and constantly worked so hard to provide food, parties, presents, traditions and memories for years to come. We LOVE YOU ALL!!!!