Hot Chocolate, delicous treats, songs with sweet melodies, lights sparkling from roof top to roof top, and the smiles that mysteriously gleam on strangers faces, are just some of the warm,wonderful things I love about Christmas! This year was a particularly wonderful Christmas! Andrew and I had the house decorated early, we blared Christmas music throughout the house, had a cozy fire in the fireplace, and sipped hot cocoa on cold winter nights while Jackson nestled sleepily in his swing.
This year I took on a few big projects. I made a calendar, helped my V.T. partner do the 12 Days of Chirstmas kits for 3 families and made 3 more for Andrew to give to his H.T. families, burned copies of a beautiful Christ Centered D.V.D. for family and friends (thanks Valerie), made snowman suckers and even with all of the chaos that typically surrounds this season, we still managed to take Jackson our on a few Christmas outings. We went to our Primary Christmas Party, we viewed the Temple Lights and lights around our neighborhood and dressed Jackson up in a Santa outfit for photo's, we even got family photo's taken (thanks Ashley).
During the days preceeding Christmas I'd atempt to wrap gifts during the day while Jackson happily grabbed at bright ribbons and bows that aligned the floor, but the most impressive and ineteresting item he wanted was the wrapping paper I was working with. It was about around the 7th of December that Jackson's smiles began to apear and it was around Christmas time that he broke into all out grins and coos, melting our hearts and making the days and nights a little brighter! Even with a cold he'd smile through his tears and curl up in your arms for a sweet baby nap. He's truly a wonderful beautiful baby boy, and we are both amazed at the miracle that is our sweet son. I think his Christmas cold has been harder on me than him, every sniffle and gasp makes me whince I hope he feels better soon, I never knew worrying would be so much a part of parenting...Overall this was a wonderful Christmas, Jackson was a very very good boy this year (all of 2 months) and so he had quite a bundle of toys, clothes and surprises!
4 Crazy Nights
Once December started Christmas never seemed to lasted long enough, it felt like all clocks lost a minute every hour and the sun sank halfway before the day even would begin, but now I find that I am fullfilled with my need for Christmas and even happy to begin a bright new year and end the old one. It all started last year when Andrew and I decided to put ourselves through a fast paced Christmas to make sure we got everything in, and that included both families and a lot of driving. This year we did it all again. Andrew and I try to visit both families for Christmas and so we decided to have a Christmas Marathon or 4 days of Christmas!
December 23nd Day 1
Andrew and I got the finishing touches on our Christmas done, we then packed up Jackson and delivered some last minute gifts to friends. We visited my friend who taught second grade with me, she just got a new home and her parents were out so we visted and she was able to meet Jackson for the first time! We came home and fed Jackson, who drifted off to sleep. Andrew and I took a breather and just enjoyed the time we had with one another.
December 24th Day 2
This is the day we decided to have Christmas in Casa Grande with just the 3 of us. It was Jackson's first experience with all of the wonderful mysteries that lay bundled under the tree and away in his stocking. Andrew and I layed in bed realizing that Jackson was sound asleep and us, like two children awaiting santa, talked ourselves out of bed and into the main room before the sun was up. We awakend the baby bright and early and began sorting the gifts under the tree. Andrew grabbed the video camera and I recored him open his gifts as Jackson drifted off to sleep again in his swing.
Andrew got many different things but amongst them was a video game he had wanted, a giant tool chest for the garage, a wood working bench, church clothes and golf putting kit and a separate gopher that made comments about how well you did or didn't do while golfing. We switched and with Jackson now dozing in my lap, took turns opening all of his toys and items, my favorite was when I was trying to open a gift for him that had a soft bouncing frog that rang "Boing" every time I jostled the box, Jackson's eyes would fly open, and widen as he'd stare with amazement at the talking box. We surrounded him with his new toys and he'd look at them and drift in and out of slumber.
Andrew then video'd me, he had me open a blessed new vacume (much needed - our old one's wheel would fall off and it wouldn't suck up anything unless you used a hand tool), and then I opened a gift that had a poem in it, which sent me on a scavenger hunt of poems, each time gaining a small gift along the way. I was up a ladder, on top of our fireplace, in the garage in bins, in the office in cupboards, under our bed and outside inside of the grill, when Andrew handed me a camera that he said was broken. It looked nice to me, but I think was was going for the latter effect, when he handed me another clue that lead me to a beautiful Nikon Camera, one that I really wanted to have to capture memories and photo's of our family! I have everything I need for it too, each gift was an additon to use for the camera, a stand, extra battery,8g memory card, card transfer, and many other gadgets to use! I was soooo excited! I cried! I had no idea he had done something like that, it was the begining of a beautiful day indeed!
Stockings! Santa loved to hide the stockings of our youth. Each Christmas morning I'd awaken to the pitter patter of my brothers feet rummaging throughout the house for their stockings. I'd always ask them for hints because even from my room I could hear their excited chatter shortly followed by the groan of finding someone elses stocking. I knew they were aware of everyone's stocking location but their own. Sometimes they would give me hints, at others I was left to my own devices. Either way, I always loved the excitement that the stocking hunt brought to our home. The year Andrew and I married, I did this for him as well. It was a lot of fun. So this year he was prepared and hid mine in a great location, it was a miracle I even found it. He's too smart though, he found his pretty quickly. We took turns opening our stockings and the baby's stocking. Mine were full of wonderful things, I got two sets of play tickets, Guys & Dolls and Mary Poppins at Gammage! I love plays and can't wait to see them! Jackson got binkies and toys, a favorite being a mini stuffed animal, a polka-dotted puppy dog and Andrew got a polo tie and some of his favorite Rees'es Christmas candies and other things. All of us had an orange in our stocking, it's another tradition that I believe is in both of our families.
That evening about 4 we drove to Andrew's parents house for their Christmas Eve festivities. We had a beautiful dinner with family and both sets of Andrew's grandparents as well as some families from their ward and friends. After delicous dinner the kids played a round of Christmas Bingo, while we gathered for a wonderful talent show where each child got to share something special with us. Afterwards, Andrew, Jackson and I were able to play the parts of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, as others read and sang in the Nativity program. The children had fun dressing up in the clothes to be the wise men, angel and shepards. It was a sweet experience and is a great tradition focusing on the reason for the season. Dessert was served with hot cocoa. We are then all sent outside for a caroling, I mean kazooing! Everyone goes Kazooing with kazoo's that look like trumpets and horns, to houses in their neighborhood, humming out Christmas songs and finishing with a grand "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" song. When we return every guest leaves and it's just Julie, Dallas and the kids and grandkids. Then we all gathered in the living room and opened a Christmas Eve gift. We all recieved nice brand new pajamas for Christmas night. After which we head down stairs for a Christmas Movie (The Muppet's Christmas Carol) and then said goodnight.
December 25th Day 3
Christmas morning is a lot of fun as well. We all awaken and open gifts, lots of wonderful things, Jackson got his first John Deere Wagon! Andrew and I got loaded up with many wonderful things as well and some items for our food storage which is nice to have and to collect! Following gifts we headed for the kitchen, coffe cake, and a variety of wonderous goodies awaited. Next to each plate was a popper wrapped in various bright Christmas colors. We each took our seats and the popping persued! Inside of each popper was a tiny toy, some got whistles, others got bells, or bowling kits, but in each little gift was a paper crown and a small piece of paper with a joke and a quiz. Everyone from Great Grandparents, to children wore the crowns (myself included) and read their jokes and trivia pieces. This was my first experience with the poppers and breakfast Christmas morning at the Petersen's home and I have to say that I really enjoyed it!
We ralaxed most of Christmas day with the movie 'Up' and a nap. Jackson wasn't feeling well at all, so we tried to make him comfortable and calm. That evening we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Petersen's home (Dallas' parents). There was the ham sandwhich dinner, gift exchanges and a white elephant gift exchange game! Everyone loved seeing the baby, he had even started to act as if he felt better at this point, we were relieved because he was really starting to worry us earlier. We opend and recieved a lot more wonderful gifts! Jackson got his first Suns outfit and even a cup with his name on it! He recieve many other wonderful things as well as both of us! The white elephant gift exchange was so much fun. People each grabbed and exchanged the nice gifts for ones they'd prefer, it was a lot of fun to see what everyone got!
That night (9 ish) we drove to Buckeye to visit my Grandma Jean and wish her a Merry Chirstmas! We arrived to see Landon & Heather, and our aunt Phyllis there as well. It was nice to visit with her and all of them, she had lots of goodies left over and we snacked and visited for a while. We went to my parents that night and unloaded and settled in for bed.
December 26th Day 4
The next morning we ate mexican borito's and got ready for the day! Everyone arrived and we had a really nice Turkey Lunchion, followed by sorting and opening piles and piles of wonderful gifts! Jackson got a lot of wonderful toys including an animated Toy Story Buzz & Woody characters, lots of toys, a bunch of rattles and clothes! Andrew got a rachet tool that multi tasks & the New Super Mario Wii game, as well as lots of other items. We got lots of food storage, a quilt and blanket, a New Years kit, lots of movies and a silverware holder too!
Afterwards Andrew, Jackson and I went to see my Grandma Pat. We visited for a while and exchanged gifts, Jackson got a really soft teddy bear that is about as big as he is! Grandma got to hold him for a while and then we had to say our goodbyes and headed back to our faimlies home. There, we walked in and a card game was insuit. The men were glad to see Andrew, they kid-napped him for a game of Super Mario Bro Wii. We all settled into the living room with the babies and had a nice visit with an occational "Yeah!" from the men downstairs while playing their games. We stayed late and left tired but fullfilled. Chirstmas was beautiful and fun, Jackson had a delightful time and got to see everyone, it was a wonderful firsts Christmas!
Dec. 28th 2009
Today we broke out Jackson's bouncer and put him in it. He loved it! Every time he bounces it sings, he could barely touch the floor but when he stretches his legs he can touch and bounce up and down. He grabs the book, carrot and corn. It was fun to watch him play, he was so content and having so much fun that he wore himself out! He fell asleep in it! It was adorable! We are so excited as he begins this new phase!
