Holidays in Holladay

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The holidays here were fantastic! We stayed part of the time up in Holladay so when Jameson worked everything was normal and when he had nights off we stayed in a condo owned by our friends in Provo so we could be close to family. We ended up being the hub down there and loved having everyone together.

Jameson's parents were in town for 2 weeks soaking up as much grandbaby and children as they could get! They kept cooing over Chloe and I loved when the first day they got here they stopped by for a half hour and after Jeff shut the door I heard him say "She is just the cutest granddaughter ever!" Definitely put a smile on my face.

Brenton, Becca, Becca's roommate, Jeff and Michelle all spent Christmas Eve at our place so we could get up and do the annual big breakfast and stocking hunt. They let me make the coffee cake and hashbrowns (one because I LOVE my hashbrowns (courtesy of Uncle Richard) two they usually make the box coffee cake and I had to try and convert them to the Parnell recipe). We did stockings and left for church with Adam and Jessica.

It was the most unique Christmas service I've ever heard, but it was a wonderful way to celebrate our Savior and I wish every year it was on a Sunday. It really helped to center the fact of it all and bring it back to Jesus. We went home and the girls and I dressed back down to PJs, cause really, who opens Christmas presents in day clothes? Pth. Jameson got me wonderful presents :) The most memorable is my used swim suit in a box ;) It is to represent the swim suit he is taking me to buy because mine are shot. He bought me earrings I can wear with Chloe always trying to pull mine out, the Percy Jackson series, a few movies, nail polish, a few other books, a Sugarland cd and a few other things. He is a wonderful gift giver :) Especially because he rarely buys things I write on my list and really listens to my every day banter to decipher what I'd like best. My parents gave us cards and 5 CROWNS! We've been without for way too long! Jameson's parents got us iTouches that we are loving (Chloe included) and a box with a sweet sweet note written by his Dad (I've already read it a few times).

We celebrated New Years Eve evening at Jameson's Aunt's home with games and pizza. We left to put Chloe and Jameson down at a decent hour (he had work). We still stayed up talking a little and toasted with our wedding goblets :)

It was a beautiful holiday reminding me how much I love family and how blessed we are to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where we know we can be with them always. I am so grateful for the gospel and the opportunity it gives us to persevere and try to be like Christ. What a wonderful holiday full of universal sweetness and love. I hope all of you had moments of clarity this holiday whether it was a sweet face your child made or a feeling of completeness being surrounded by family.

We look forward to next year when Chloe has more of an idea of what is going on instead of just pulling all the ornaments off the tree. She is loving her new See and Speak well as the baby piano we gave her. She is running all over the place and we'll post pictures as soon as it isnt dark and I dont risk waking up Jameson but looking for it.

We love you all and wish you luck in keeping the Spirit of Christ(mas) all year and your personal New Years Resolutions, whether they be made today, a few weeks from now or are a continuation of previous goals.