Christmas 2014

This Christmas was one of the most magical and special that I can ever remember. The weeks leading up to Christmas were pretty hectic: there was all the usual shopping and gift wrapping, plus we went to four parties, we went on an early date for our anniversary, I sewed 5 foot warmers for coworker gifts, baked 8 loaves of bread for neighbors and delivered them, and Benjamin and I dipped almost 100 pretzels for his coworkers. One of my coworkers unexpectedly had her baby six weeks early, so I also ended up working more than I had planned to help cover her maternity leave. Luckily all the busy-work of Christmas I was able to finish up about a week before the actual holiday so I was able to just relax and enjoy the last days of the season.

One of my favorite activities during those days was a Christmas movie night. We invited the extended fam over and Tina, Daddy, and Amy came to watch Jingle All The Way and eat a ridiculous amount of treats. Miles got to stay up for the movie and he has just become a hoot to watch movies with. He laughs so hard and loud at the goofy slap-stick stuff. On a couple of different nights we watched the Home Alone movies, and Miles's hysterical laughter was so contagious. He thinks it's just hilarious watching the bad guys get hurt.

Christmas Eve was so enjoyable. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures, but my parents had a big extended family party that included my Cousin Kristin and her husband David and their kids, my Aunt Carol and her husband Uncle Chris, and my Uncle Dick and Aunt Joy. There was amazing food (fondu was my favorite part), and Christmas Bingo with awesome prizes. After the party we hurried home to get the boys to bed so Santa could come.

Here is the tree Christmas Eve after Santa stopped by. Being his elf is so fun!

Christmas morning was all that I have wished for Christmas to be like my whole adult life. We were in our own home for the first time ever! We had no where we had to travel to, and it was so enjoyable just having a sense that this house is our home and ours to make memories in for years to come. It was wonderful to wake up in our own beds to the excited sounds of the boys and race with them to the living room. I made them pause for a picture in their Christmas jammies:

 We took turns opening all the gifts to each other and from the Onofrio side of the family, and then got down to some serious play time. An unexpected but very fun gift that the boys have played with lots is this truck spaceship kinda thing. It has a bunch of moving parts and accessories and lights and sounds and is pretty darn cool. We could hardly talk the boys into opening more presents when they saw it assembled by the tree. Miles also was super excited for his Star Wars Lego "Truth Walker" as he calls it (it's really just called a Walker. Not sure where he picked up "truth".) Benjamin had to help him put it together over the course of about 3 hours because it has over 700 pieces. Miraculously it is still together three days later, though I'm not sure how long that will last. Tommy was just happy to play with anything and everything, although I think he is the cutest when he plays with the vet kit we got him and pretends to take care of the "sick" dog. The  had so much fun playing with all their fun new things that Christmas morning just raced by way too fast!

Another part of what made Christmas so magical was that we went to bed the night before without a single snowflake on the ground or in the air, and woke up on Christmas morning with the most beautiful 4-5 inches of snow! It was just like you would hope a beautiful white Christmas would be. And it just kept snowing all day! Could Christmas get any better than this?! 

Yes, it could, because we only had to drive 15 minutes up the road to celebrate the day with more family! My parents, my sisters, and their families including Tina's fiance Jon were there and it was just so wonderful to have everyone together. We did our gift exchange and ate more tasty food made by talented parents. 

Cami and Eli opening gifts from Great Grandma Elaine

Tommy playing with one of his favorite aunties . These boys are so fortunate to have such sweet aunts who dote on them constantly!
The entire day I was filled with such overwhelming peace and joy. I am so grateful for the many blessings in my life that bring these feelings, but am thankful most of all for Our Savior.
He is truly the Gift!