Stuffed

We've crammed almost as many enjoyable activities into our busy schedule as we have food into our mouths this December!  And I don't regret any of it--even though I am resolved to eliminate the sugar next month, and I am anticipating much less run-around in January.

Let me just mention a few highlights:

Food: Did you know that Dove chocolates come with a layer of peppermint bark at Christmas time?  I did not know this, until a neighbor gave us some.  Unfortunately, I was not able to find that flavor at the stores after Christmas.  Apparently I was the last to know about those little treasures.  Those same neighbors also gave us some of those homemade pretzel-Rolo-pecan gems--and therefore, with that winning combo, they earned my pick for "Best Neighbor Gifts" this year.

Other food traditions that we couldn't skip this season included Cheerio Trees, cinnamon rolls, Tortellini Soup, and orange & raspberry sticks. 

(I have not weighed myself recently.  Bah Humbug!)

Gingerbread: This does not belong in the food category, because it's not for eating.  We tried to make gingerbread houses from scratch this year--but after hours of prep work, we could never get the dang structure to stand.  So we bagged that activity before we even broke out the candy decorations.  Thank goodness Grandma D. had the girls come to her house and put together a mini gingerbread village--from a kit!  Remember those key words: mini and kit.  That is the only way to go. I am convinced.

Music: We took Emily and Lauren to the BYU Christmas Concert (Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, Symphony, etc.); We took Katelyn, Emily, Lauren and Grandma L. to the Concert at Temple Square with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and David Archuleta (I got the golden tickets!  Fair & Square); I sang with the stake choir, and we sang with the Presbyterian church for their Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (the whole family attended); Emily played beautiful piano music at her recital, and it was exciting to hear Katelyn play her guitar and sing Christmas songs; and our Christmas CD collection must number well over 100 by now.

Sights: We have been known to leave our Christmas tree and outside house lights on around the clock.  We love the lights!  We also enjoyed a visit to Temple Square to see the lights (as they flashed on!); and on a separate occasion we sipped hot chocolate and nibbled on McDonalds' apple pies (2 for $1 tastes Christmasy to me!) while we parked in front of a local "Clark Griswold" house and treated our senses to the choreographed lights and music show.  We also enjoyed watching several movies: oldies like "One Magic Christmas" and "Elf", as well as new ones like the new "Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader" movie.

Parties:  We love getting the whole family together (at least those who live near enough, or visit at the right time) for food and games.  And gifts!  The seven of us participated in a combined total of 5 white elephant gift exchanges this year, and I'm happy to report that we gave away more junk than we came away with!

R&R:  The girls had a full week off school before Christmas Day, and we spent most of it being lazy.  We all enjoy laziness now and then.  Too bad it was laced with some sickness this year--but thankfully it didn't prevent us from enjoying anything too important.  Doug's last day of work in 2010 was December 22nd, and we love that he gets some time off for the holidays.  Time off from work means more dates--yipee!  Yesterday, for example, Doug and I went to a one-hour massage therapy session (Doug is skeptical of any true medicinal value, but I don't really care--it does my body good!) and then we had lunch and watched True Grit. (Guess whose choice that movie was.  I would even have picked Tron over that one--but in the end, it wasn't so bad.  Thank goodness for the humor in it.  No western movie should take itself too seriously, I say.)   While Doug and the girls have watched movies at home, I've put together a couple of puzzles.  That can never happen any other time but the holidays!


Most years, I am burnt out by the time December 25th rolls around, and we usually pack away Christmas as soon as the day is over (my idea).  This year, we gave ourselves three extra days!  And now that my house is put back to normal, I'm relieved, but still relishing in the last little bit of holiday cheer.

Once Christmas is over and the New Year has just begun, I always feel a bit of a slump.  But I keep reminding myself of this happy thought: If time keeps up this pace, before we know it, it will be Spring!