WOW, can you believe Christmas is over!?! I always feel a little blue when any day I've been looking forward to is over but it seems doubly so with Christmas. The holiday season is like a whole month (or three months if you're Walmart, or a year if you're some people) of build up and then it's just over in one day. Good thing there is all the fun stuff to play with afterwards because come January, there is nothing to do (unless you ski or snowboard which I am far too out of shape to do anymore). I can handle the cold and snow for Christmas. I mean, it helps the season feel traditional and the naturally white washed backdrop of the world is at least enhanced by some sparkly lights. But in Utah, the snow doesn't stick around just for a white Christmas... no, it lingers long into March and April and even sometimes May during which it becomes nasty and brown (and some other unappealing colors too) and the bitter cold is just bleak and depressing. But enough about the next few months of despair. 
When it comes to Christmas I actually love all the anticipation as much as the day itself. Though I'm sure Kole would disagree. I know he loves the gifts. And so it's fun to have an extra big kid around on Christmas day to be as excited and giddy as the little kids. If only everyone could have seen all their cheery little faces. But to me, it's not the gifts that make Christmas so special (please don't be offended because I do thank all our family and friends for being so kind and generous. We were really blessed). But I feel the specialness comes from the amazing spirit that is everywhere - like the true reason for the season still lives on inside everyone, no matter how deep down it may appear most of the year. For me, this spirit is practically tangible. I already miss "the feeling" of Christmas and all that surrounds it. From my perspective, the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas day people are different, a little better, a little kinder, a little more like they should be all year long. I only hope that I was too. However, I don't think I have yet mastered the art of fully cherishing the season as much as I should. I'm sure I complained a little too much about the chaos on the roads and in the stores, or the painful cold, or the mind-boggling struggle to find gifts, or the evaporation of my time, or the amazing depletion of our bank account. Perhaps in future years I will find a way to really soak up all the blessings of this time of year and find a way to make it feel like the season isn't just flying by with me clinging on for dear life.
The good thing is, it did feel like we were reliving Christmas morning over and over- probably because we did. First, on Christmas Eve we celebrated and opened gifts with my parents. We had dinner with them and then went to their church to sing Christmas songs. Next, on Christmas day we opened gifts at our house with just our little family. I am amazed at all the mess that is still strewn all over from this one event. And after bringing home the gifts from our families there is even more to put away- but in our tiny house I am struggling to find a place to put everything. Anyway, finally we headed to Kole's parents' house and plundered what was left of the presents there. We also had brunch with even more family members and listened to Kole's brothers "play" rock band on PS2. I have an embarrassing video involving Kole and Damion and a "No Doubt" song but I decided not to release it on the web. You both should thank me. No worries though, there are other pics of everyone here which are equally awkward. Anyways, good times all around. We all got sooooo spoiled- not just the kids. Thank you, thank you, thank you to our families. You all made our Christmas so special and we love you all very very much.
Here are some moments in time from our Christmas.
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that your new year is all you are hoping for.
Have an amazing 2010.
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