It is so hard to believe that yet another Christmas has come and gone! I do hope your Christmas was filled with love, laughter, and most of all by the Spirit of what Christmas is truly about. We headed out to Cali. for Christmas to spend it with my parents- it was quite the ride out as M and I developed the stomach flu on the same morning we were to head out- nothing like traveling 6+ hours across the desert while having the flu :(. David joined us in the sick circle the day after we got out to Cali. now all 3 of us were sick. M and I started to feel a wee bit better so we were able to make it to Christmas eve service but poor D. stayed in bed all day long. On Christmas we were all able to keep food down so that was a Blessing- especially since we were having the traditional prime rib dinner.
Even though we were all sick, Christmas was such a joy this year to share in it with Makayla.
We woke up on Christmas morning to pink ponies
, pink princess cars, and many other battery eating, noisy toys under the tree ;). M was so overwhelmed with all the noises and new toys she didn't know where to start first.
She enjoyed her new pony and especially loved the princess car...
in fact, she jumped up and pushed it all the way across the house (on her own). Beep, beep, watch out world here she comes :) No doubt, walking is just days if not hours away for our little one now. Makayla also loved taste testing all of her new toys- every single one went in the mouth!
After some play time with the new toys, we all peeked inside our stockings and enjoyed the new massagers, sweet treats, books, and other goodies that were left behind. I especially love the massager that D. left...thanks D :)
After all that stimulation, we took a time out and had a delicious breakfast that dad made (Williams Sonoma's recipe of Toad in the Hole). We also tested out Dads new gifts- the keurig coffee maker (love that thing) and had some hot coffee to wake us up. By this time the littles was ready for a nap so we put her down and got ready for the rest of the day. Once M awoke, we started round 2 of Christmas presents.
Again, so many fun toys (that all make noise ;) We all received many fun gifts and were having a blast trying them out until M interrupted the fun by having a blast in her pants. We were still recovering from the flu so let's just say, I had to change M out of about 4 outfits on Christmas, put in her the bath once, and run a few loads of laundry (having a blast indeed!). Good thing I packed M a lot of clothes :)
After round 2 of presents, dad put on his Christmas hat
and went and picked up grandma and brought her over for dinner. Again, such a blessing to all be together (4 generations)
We enjoyed delicious food, sweet treats (the traditional Myers, Stoughton, Mellstrom Christmas cookies)
and all and all, just a sweet time spent together as family.
Again, such a sweet blessing to share in this time with our extended family. 
