Traditions

And cue the Fiddler on the Roof music.  Anyone else think of that song every single time they hear the word "tradition?"  Just me?  Ok then.  

This was our fifth Christmas in Colorado, but the first that we have actually spent in Colorado (meaning the first time we haven't traveled to Utah over the holiday).  We spent all of last weekend playing and playing.  Adam had Friday off of work, and we took advantage of the fresh snowfall to take the boys out sledding.  They loved it.  Way more than I expected them to.  Like for instance, when Ty totally wiped out and got a face full of snow, he came up laughing hysterically.  Most kids would have been bawling, I think.  Shoot, I probably would have been bawling if it happened to me.  I actually thought McKay might be sort of wimpy about the cold, too (remember that he is my son!), but he did great!  After watching Adam go down on his stomach on the sled, Mac said he wanted to do the same thing "by myself!"  We were at a pretty steep hill, so we told him he had to be at least four years old before we would let him go alone.  He yelled, "I am four!  I'm big!  I can do it!"  So, we relented and let him give it a go.  He rode face-first down that hill like an old champ, and shouted, "See?" when he reached the bottom.  Little stinker.

 Don't let those grumpy little faces fool you.  They LOVED it!

After a glorious afternoon of napping and hanging out at home, my uncle, aunt, and two cousins drove down from Broomfield to spend the evening with us.  We had a really, really nice visit with them.  The boys were pleased as punch that they had a fresh "crew" to travel to outer space in their "rocket ship" with them.  I was pleased, too.  Those boys have dragged me all over the solar system in the last couple weeks!  :)  (Yes, Grandma, that spaceship is the box that you sent their Christmas presents in.  Next year just skip the presents and send the box!!)

On Saturday morning, we kept our tradition of going swimming on Christmas Eve alive.  No photos of that, though.  Nothing like getting into a swimming suit to emphasize your ever-expanding mid-section.  Yikes.
After McKay's (ok, and mine, too) nap, we headed to downtown Parker to do another of our Christmas Eve traditions:  a carriage ride.  It was a long wait in the cold, but somehow it's always worth it once it's your turn to get on the carriage.  Then we warmed up with a delicious dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  That's something we have never done on Christmas Eve before--but it might become a new tradition.  Yumm-o!

Christmas morning was lovely.  There is something about waking up in your own home on Christmas morning that's kind of awesome.  We missed our families like CRAZY, but at the same time, it was really nice to just have a calm, relaxed morning without worrying about driving back and forth between grandparents' homes, etc.  And with all the gifts from Santa, Mom and Dad, and both sets of grandparents all in one place, the boys had quite the time getting through the pile.  Here they are showing off just how happy they are:  :)

And this is right before church, all dressed up in their adorable Christmas clothes from G&G Marchant.  I can't believe how big my babies are getting!

I LOVED that Christmas fell on a Sunday this year, and it was the first time all year long that I was grateful that our Sacrament Meeting started at 2 PM!  It was so sweet to be able to be able to worship in church on Christmas--it really helped me to focus and remember what it's actually about--our Savior, Jesus Christ.
After church, we invited three other families over to our home for Christmas dinner.  Everyone pitched in big time, and it was a most glorious feast!  We had honey-baked turkey, ham, potatoes and sweet potatoes, stuffing, rolls, veggie and fruit trays, jello, bruschetta, green bean casserole, and pies for desert--and it was all prepared to perfection!

And here's a shot of the whole group, sans Adam who was taking the photo.  

Since this was our first Christmas that we have stayed in Colorado, the having-friends-over-for-Christmas-dinner was a new tradition for us, but it's one we would like to continue in the future if we decide to stay put again!  Anyone else in?  ;)
It was a wonderful Christmas.  It was definitely different than anything we have done before, but we totally loved it.