This year Christmas was spent here in Utah with the Parker family. Almost all of Mike's siblings and their families were in town (we missed the Judds though). We did all the usual Parker traditions clam chowder and pizza on Christmas Eve and a live nativity while Grandpa read the Christmas story from the Bible. We did a cousin and sibling gift exchange and then had Christmas morning at home with our individual families. We all got together again on Christmas for Dinner too. It was so fun to see all the little ones get so excited about giving and receiving their gifts. They also get really into participating in the live nativity. It's the best! It was so fun to be with family and celebrate the birth of our Savior. I just love this magical time of year when everyone is so kind and thoughtful and Christlike.
December has been a fun and busy month. Elsie has gotten so excited to help me decorate and wrap present and make yummy treats to hand out. She has her own nativity set from Grandma Parker and is learning about the story of Baby Jesus.
My little elf:
She is talking a lot more now and signing a lot still. She is becoming more friendly and active especially when we go to the store.
Helping with laundry: Sometimes Uncle Steven lets me pretend to drive:
This just in: Elsie likes sushi.
That's raw salmon she's eating!1
Elsie loves to copy me, it's so cute! I better watch what I'm doing/saying, cause she's a little sponge!
Just looking outside at the snow:
Checking out her outfit in the mirror. She's got style!
A long day of taking care of her baby dolls, coloring, eating, napping, and watching baby bum shows. It's hard to stay in all day when it's too cold to go outside.
Daddy is a playground:
Christmas Eve at Grandma Parker's with all the cousins: (Aubrey is reading to Harper and Elsie)
Elsie can't get enough hugs and kisses from her younger cousin Harper. So cute!
Learning how to play "doctor" while waiting for Christmas Eve dinner- she was fascinated!
After dinner, we did a live nativity with all the kids and then a gift exchange. Elsie was a shepherd I think, but she just walked around whenever/where ever instead of sticking to one part. She kept kissing the baby Jesus (which was played by baby Ruth this year). She's the cutest shepherd I've ever seen!
Above: Snuggling with Ashlyn after a long and fun-filled night with family. It's nice to have so many older cousins watching over her. They are wonderful with her!
Below: Here's our living room the night before Christmas - very peaceful. It's the first time we've really done Christmas morning in our own home since we've been married.
Wake up, it's Christmas! She insisted on wearing her blanket like a cape.
Elsie loved pulling things out of her stocking and opening her presents. She wanted to wear, play with whatever she opened right away!!!! of course! Her main presents were a Mr. Potato head, a puzzle, a snow jacket, baby pots and pans set from cousin Nate, and a rocking chair from Grandma Parker.
We went over to Grandma's to see some of our cousins on Christmas morning too. Kids make Christmas so fun and joyful!
Movie night and snuggles with cousin Kallie. Elsie loves the new Cinderella almost as much as I do. We watch it all the time and she actually sits there and watches it.
All dressed up for church where we will watch baby Ruth get blessed today! That little curly headed girl looks so cute in everything! I just adore her and can't keep up with how fast she is growing and learning. She is a toddler now...no longer a baby....when did that happen?!! Every stage is fun though, and I just love watching her excitement as she continues to learn and grow every day.
It was a very MERRY CHRISTMAS complete with snow and family and sweets and presents and lots and lots of love. I hope yours was wonderful too! See you in the new year!
December has been a fun and busy month. Elsie has gotten so excited to help me decorate and wrap present and make yummy treats to hand out. She has her own nativity set from Grandma Parker and is learning about the story of Baby Jesus.
She is talking a lot more now and signing a lot still. She is becoming more friendly and active especially when we go to the store.
My view from my seat in church - Elsie lying under the bench talking to the baby behind us.
She's just too cute to punish.
The first real snow!
Helping with laundry: Sometimes Uncle Steven lets me pretend to drive:
This just in: Elsie likes sushi.
That's raw salmon she's eating!1
Mike got some killer seats (2nd row) to the Jazz game (curtesy of the Domo CEO). Sweet!
Game night at a friend's house. This wig was part of the game...now you know what Mike would look like with hair....ummm...pass
Daddy IS a horse! If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!
Elsie loves to copy me, it's so cute! I better watch what I'm doing/saying, cause she's a little sponge!
Cheesy smiles are Elsie's specialty!
Her hair is betting so long! The first attempt at a full french braid. She won't sit still so this is as good as it gets for now.
Just looking outside at the snow:
Checking out her outfit in the mirror. She's got style!
Well, here it is...Elsie's Christmas stocking. Hopefully you can't see the mistakes I made, but I'd say it's not bad for my first time making one.
Daddy is a playground:
All dressed up for a Black Tie dinner at the Domo Christmas party in Salt Lake City at the Grand America Hotel. So fun to get all dressed up for a night out.
Thanks to our niece Hannah for babysitting so we could go on a date.
Ok, here's the Christmas pictures:
Christmas Eve at Grandma Parker's with all the cousins: (Aubrey is reading to Harper and Elsie)
Elsie can't get enough hugs and kisses from her younger cousin Harper. So cute!
Learning how to play "doctor" while waiting for Christmas Eve dinner- she was fascinated!
Above: Snuggling with Ashlyn after a long and fun-filled night with family. It's nice to have so many older cousins watching over her. They are wonderful with her!
Below: Here's our living room the night before Christmas - very peaceful. It's the first time we've really done Christmas morning in our own home since we've been married.
Wake up, it's Christmas! She insisted on wearing her blanket like a cape.
Elsie loved pulling things out of her stocking and opening her presents. She wanted to wear, play with whatever she opened right away!!!! of course! Her main presents were a Mr. Potato head, a puzzle, a snow jacket, baby pots and pans set from cousin Nate, and a rocking chair from Grandma Parker.
We went over to Grandma's to see some of our cousins on Christmas morning too. Kids make Christmas so fun and joyful!
It dumped like 6 inches of snow on Christmas Eve, so Mike was out shoveling on Christmas morning and didn't like that....so he bought a snow blower the next day and couldn't wait to do our driveway and every driveway and sidewalk on our street. I think it's his new favorite toy.
We played with family the whole Christmas weekend and Elsie just loved seeing her little cousins every day. And look! We actually took a picture where we are all three smiling and looking at the camera! It's a Christmas miracle!
Movie night and snuggles with cousin Kallie. Elsie loves the new Cinderella almost as much as I do. We watch it all the time and she actually sits there and watches it.
