The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The Holiday season was great to us this year...except for maybe Afton who was a bit thrown off her regular schedule. But we still had a wonderful time!

We spent Thanksgiving Day with my family and some extended family from my Dad's side that was in town. Peter's family went down to St. George, except his brother and sister had to stay in town for work and play rehearsal so they got to join us! Afton enjoyed the meal and was able to try some new things (TURKEY!). I made the rolls -- over 100, I think -- and they turned out great. I used a recipe from Peter's mission president's wife and they were delicious!

An after-dinner walk with Zach & Jessica

Later in the day Peter and his siblings went to see Catching Fire and I went home to put Afton to bed and then began putting up the Christmas decorations. It was a great day.

December was a bit crazy for us-it always is, isn't it?- but we did get to celebrate our 3rd Anniversary by going to The Forgotten Carols show. I had always wanted to see it since I loved listening to the music and so Pete surprised me with tickets. The story line was a bit hokey but I was still happy listening to the music. However, Peter wasn't as happy and I just kept telling him it was because he has been spoiled with so many amazing concerts and musical productions that his family is always involved in. I like to say he is a bit of a concert snob, but really he just has a refined palate :).

Later in the month we were able to go see Zach perform in Alpine Christmas and that was more of a classy production. I only got to stay until Intermission because of Afton, but we enjoyed every minute!

Afton playing with her first Christmas gift!

Our family on Christmas Eve

 

Christmas was one to remember for sure! We spent Christmas Eve with the Sundwalls and Christmas Day with the Millars. The Sunday before Christmas we went to Grandma & Grandpa Sundwall's for a party and had a fun time with everyone there. Christmas Eve night was special, as always, with the Sundwalls. Although we ended up awake most of the night trying to keep Afton from screaming and waking everyone up. She was a little sick and not so sure of sleeping in a new environment. A big shout out to Zach who we kicked out of his corner bedroom in the basement so that we could let Afton just cry herself to sleep at 3:00 am. Of course, this was after we had tried to leave to go home and got the car stuck in a snow bank. Good times.

Afton with Aunt Olivia on Christmas Eve - they were matching!

We were spoiled with wonderful gifts from our parents and family! A definite highlight was a blender that we have used almost every day since and some great books that we have been reading in our down time.

Afton in her new Christmas dress from Mimi and Grandpa

 

Christmas Day with the Millars is quite a different feel from being at the Sundwalls. There were 11 grandkids (Afton the youngest) and it was crazy but fun. We did a little nativity and Afton got to play baby Jesus. It is definitely special to watch all the grandkids open and enjoy their presents, and there is in never a dull moment with all 6 siblings and their spouses who each have such strong personalities. We love our families!

The day after Christmas Afton and I headed to Idaho with my parents and sister and her kids to visit Grandma Davis, Grandpa Millar and many other extended family! We had a fun time getting to see so many relatives that we don't get to see as often as we would like. It was a little crazy with all the kids but we had a good time. Afton also mastered her squirm/crawl on this trip!

Grandpa entertaining 3 at once!

Sleeping in the car

 We spent New Year's Eve with the Millar side and had king crab legs and hor d'oeuvres. We celebrated the new year with the kids at 7 or 8 and then went home and put Afton to bed. Funny how our lives have come to revolve around the 7:00 bedtime.

The weekend after New Years we went and stayed in Salt Lake with the Sundwalls. We had a wonderful time shopping, seeing movies, eating, swimming, and hanging out. We laughed a lot and ate a lot of cheesecake! Pete and Michelle surprised us all with some money to spend at City Creek and we all got to buy a gift of our choice. Pete got two new pairs of slacks to add to his slim wardrobe and I got a few new blouses from Down East. Afton and I had a fun time with Olivia and Michelle at the planetarium while the older kids saw the Hobbit. We had a blast! It was the perfect little getaway before heading back to reality.

Going for a dip

Afton & Aunt Olivia on Mars!