Christmas Week via my phone pics

We left on Sunday, Dec. 20 for Utah. We made a quick stop in Grand Junction to attend church with the Pavlovskys. (We planned to start our vacation on Saturday, but Aaron's work party was that evening and he was asked to attend. Why didn't I get a picture?!)

I love the Sunday before Christmas so we hated to miss it. Church was the perfect start to our Christmas holiday.

We started the week with a girls' shopping trip to the outlets while grandpa and the kids went sledding. I love this tree!

Monday night we went to the BYU art museum to see the work of Norman Rockwell - so much talent!

Tuesday the boys and I had a playdate with Angela and her girls while Aaron went snowboarding. Discovery Gateway was the best place for a playdate! 

Wednesday night the boys hung out with Angela and her girls again while Aaron and I went to see Star Wars. Yes, Start Wars! For the first time in my life, I watched Star Wars and I secretly loved it and I secretly can't wait for the next one to come out. Strange, I know. Thanks, Angela for babysitting the little rascals!!! :)

Christmas Eve the parties began with a visit from Santa himself. The best part was when he asked Eli what he wanted for Christmas and he said, "A train!" Guess what toy Santa gave Eli that night? A train. And guess what he got Christmas morning? A train.

Austin was so exhausted he fell asleep on me - something that is rare these days and I loved it!!

For Eli's first Christmas, I remember thinking so much about Mary cuddling baby Jesus on his first night of life and how peaceful that must have been. I reflected on those feelings again this year as I rocked Austin in my arms. 

Oh how we're grateful for a tiny baby born in Bethlehem all those years ago. I wish I could share Eli saying, "Baby Jesus" in a high pitched voice as he played with the Fisher Price Nativity we set out in our home. We had a scripture countdown chain we read each night in December and it helped us all try and stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas. I love all the excitement that comes with Christmas, but our ultimate goal as a family is to focus on what Christmas is all about - A Savior being born and how our life is blessed eternally because of it.