We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Daniel, now 2 years old, is just starting to be excited about presents and Santa Clause. I expect next year will be even more magical, for him especially. A day or so after Daniel's birthday, Daryl set up our Christmas tree. After a couple of days working on it, Daniel and I finally got it decorated.
Daniel's decorating skills. He found a way to balance a candy cane on this branch.
Notice the picture of the finished product.
(This was taken a week before Christmas before all of the ornaments began their migration to the more northern parts of the tree so as to be out of reach.) Daniel, being the thinker that he is, discovered that the little metal part of a bulb ornament is easily removed. But just to be sure, he tried it out on every one he could find.
We spent Christmas Eve with the
Burgesses (his mother's side) for dinner, then left there to be with the
Skousens (my mother's side) for the evening program. Santa came to my cousin, Gina's House, and brought each grandchild, including me, a gift. But only if we agreed to sit on his lap.
Daniel had no problem accepting his present.
Heidi wasn't so sure.
Thant night, while we were waiting for
Kerami to arrive and stay the night, we heard several fire trucks outside our house, and ran out to see what was going on. Apparently, a house across the street and a few doors down had caught on fire. Luckily the family of 3 made it out safely. A lit candle on the porch some how set fire to a bamboo screen they had draped across the front of their house. The fire traveled up into the attic, and down into the living room where it blew out the front windows and set fire to anything in reach. With the help of 8 fire trucks and several squad cars, the fire was extinguished. Now... back to Christmas.
We all woke up about 7am. Daryl and I were sitting in front of the tree when Daniel came in. He pushed the button to turn on the lights, and sat on Daryl's lap to have a look. That's when he saw his gift.
Santa brought him a lovely red "
tricle". It is his pride and joy. He loves sitting on it and walking it around the house. He hasn't yet figured out peddling.
Santa brought me a new computer that he built himself. I am told it holds 30 times more than what Daryl's old one can. I couldn't be more excited! Daryl got a Rugger something or other 9 millimeter handgun. A little unnerving, I know. Santa brought Heidi a new toy that hangs from her car seat bar, and I made her a quilt with bunnies on it.
After our family Christmas, we went over to Daryl's parents' house for breakfast and gifts with his
siblings. We hung out and played games for a while, then headed over to grandma
Lamoreaux's for lunch. Normally we just do gifts, and eat both breakfast AND lunch at Grandma's, but we decided to change the plans this year, hoping to make the holiday a little less chaotic.
Daryl's brother Trent, gave us a cool hot
cocoa pot. It stirs and keeps the chocolate warm until you turn it off. Daryl makes cocoa
at least once a week now. He gave Daniel a play guitar, which he LOVES, and a cute little outfit for Heidi. Thanks Uncle Trent!
This is Heidi and me at my in-laws'.
In the interest of adding more pictures of myself, and Heidi, I've included this one for your viewing pleasure.
Later that evening my family gathered at my sister,
Marily's house for a few hours. We ate ham and onion potatoes, and whatever else. We played games and hung out while
Dallin, Adam, and Daniel played with their new toys. We had a great time.
Here's Heidi chillin' on Marily's couch while I played a game for as long as she would allow. (Notice the change in outfit from the previous picture. At least she made it MOST of the day in her beautiful Christmas dress.) She's such a beauty.
Over all I'd say we had a wonderful holiday. I still felt like there were so many places to go. But I guess that's how things work out when we have so many families that love us. (And of course we love them too.) There is no better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior than to spend it with those we love.
We blessed Heidi on January 4, 2009 in our ward at 9am. We were honored to have so many family members attend. There are few occasions that bring as much joy. The blessing was so beautiful. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful husband who is a righteous priesthood holder. 
Two weeks ago (when we still had 1:30 church) Daryl made appointments to go home teaching. When Daniel say him getting ready to go, he decided he should get dressed too. He ran into his room, moved the step in front of his bed and opened the drawer behind it. He pulled out 2 pairs of slacks and a vest. (I had been storing them there until he grew into them) He put on one of the pairs of pants over his pajamas, and went to show Daddy. 
