~The Speth Family~: An overwhelming jumble of Christmas pictures:)

Thursday, December 30, 2010

An overwhelming jumble of Christmas pictures:)

I miss picasa. I wouldn't trade in the Mac for anything, but I miss picasa, and picasa for Mac just isn't the same. So instead of a nice Christmas collage, you get to see our thousand pictures one by one....yay!

Our holidays this year were F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C. I think most years I have been so frustrated about all of the selfish wanting that goes on that I completely missed the point of Christmas and just bah-humbugged the whole thing. And I still don't think that getting stuff is the point, of course, BUT John wrapped me up a nice explanation that made me feel at peace with this year's overwhelming ecstactic-ness for the entire Christmas package. I was excited to put up the lights, and to go see the lights, and to cut down and set up the tree, and shopping - oh the joy of shopping for others! - and I was excited for the kids' excitement, the family stuff, the sledding, the baking, the eating, the service (we had a few weeks of an FHE service extravaganza which started in November) the grinch (even though I am not a Jim Carey fan, but it IS tradition, after all) and having Ammon home with us and to re-teach the girls about the birth of Christ and the importance of helping and caring for others, and ALL OF IT.

Going to see the lights at Temple Square

The kids really like to park at the Gateway and take the train to Temple Square

The girls BEGGED us to brave the crowds for a closer look at the statue of Christ

They also HAD to touch the temple doors!

The lights in downtown Ogden

John helped me get rid of my materialistic guilt and showed me that I was not so very much focused and excited about what I was going to get (we usually keep it pretty small between us anyway), but that I was excited to SERVE and to make other people happy and to try to do something for them to make their hearts feel all warm and loved. I'm really not sure I succeeded, but boy did trying make my heart feel all warm and fuzzy. AND I think I have a better idea for how to do it better next year....

On the other hand, John spoiled me silly. He is such a stinkin' stinker. We have a limit, but he cheated and saved money months ahead so he could exceed our modest limit without punishment. Its not fair. AND he just happens to be the best, most thoughtful, gift giver EVER which puts me at a serious disadvantage and I HATE IT. Except I LOVE it too. I just wish I was better at finding the perfect gift than he is. That is why he is in charge of the extended family gift giving, I guess. Now if he would only shop for himself... because eight and a half years of marriage has yet to instill in me the ability to read his mind. (For the most part).

Gifts from both of our families...

Do I look like I only got one hour of sleep?

The kids gave John a BB gun so they could practice target shooting with their dad

The girls also got spoiled. They FINALLY got what they have been wanting for TWO YEARS (and two years is almost half of Allie's life, you know). And now I want an American Girl doll too - if only it were more practical. They didn't get much in the way of presents (due to the American Girl, I'm guessing), but they couldn't have been happier and seeing their faces was the-most-fun-EVER. Ammon however could have cared less about presents (that's my boy!) Several years ago we adopted the three gift rule from someone in our neighborhood. Actually, quite a few families around here do it. Each year we ask Santa to bring only three presents. The wise men brought Jesus three presents and why should we get more than Him? It is HIS birthday, after all. Plus its a great way to tie in the birth of Christ and remember Him. To be honest, I would be perfectly ok with slashing the whole Santa thing all together (see, there is the bah-humbug in me).

Kylie kept asking us if she HAD to open her pjs for her Christmas Eve gift :)

Santa plus mom and dad and grandparents and cousins - phew. (Ammon's stuff is in the middle)

American Girl dolls (Emily and Lanie)

Prince Oliver got a snuggly chair for Christmas

Maybe Ammon's disinterest in presents was because his gift this year was one gigantic molar, two upper fangs and his fourth ear infection in not-so-many months (a double, to boot). I spent the first half of the night up with him and then passed him to John who took him to the WeeCare at 3 am. He got back at five and since Kylie had been waiting as patiently as possible in her bed for two hours, we woke Allie up and opened presents at 5:15am. Ammon slept in until we had to leave. We finally opened his presents for him that night after he was tucked in bed.

Christmas day was nice. We spent the morning with the Spencers and the afternoon with the Speths and enjoyed every exhausted minute of it. We got home later in the evening and the girls crashed on the couches by the Christmas tree. Sunday evening was Aunt Brenda's family party, which is always nice as well. I'm already looking forward to next year :)

The Spencers

The Speths

p.s. My absolute FAVORITE part about Christmas... Christmas cards!!!!

Does anyone else want to be on my mailing list?

2 comments:

wanderlustfamJanuary 1, 2011 at 6:31 PM
Great post, though I'm exhausted from reading it and dreading my Christmas post. :O)
Next year you should form your Christmas cards into a tree design on the door.

I miss going to see the light at Temple Square, a few more years and you can take all the kids ice skating across the street.

Miss you
ps love Allie's hair cut
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JulieJanuary 5, 2011 at 5:18 PM
Abi's so jealous of the unicron pillow pet!!! lol Looks like yuo guys had a fabulous Christmas!
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A Future of Peace
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