Christmas 2009 (aka Charlie's! First! Christmas!)

We had a lot of pressure this year to ensure that Charlie's! First! Christmas! would go well. Luckily, it seemed we were successful in our preparations and a good time was had by all. We are fortunate enough to live close to both of our families and because of that we were included in many holiday celebrations. (Although, when talking to my sister about her very low-key, peaceful, homey, SIMPLE Christmas in the Middle East, it sounded heavenly to me. The hustle and bustle of scurrying around I could live without!)

My favorite thing about Christmas this year is a new tradition that John and I started. After all the guests had gone home and Charlie was asleep, we sat under the Christmas tree and opened our gifts to each other late on Christmas Eve. It was really special to spend that time just the two of us!

Charlie received some great gifts from loving family members but of course, he was more interested in the orange and apple from my stocking (because they are balls to him!) and all the boxes and wrapping paper.

Here's a few photos:

Christmas tree bokeh

Even my normally friendly baby found Santa a little frightening!

On Christmas Eve, we hosted my brother's family and in-laws for a Christmas Eve dinner pajama party. We had the most gigantic breakfast for dinner (scones, fruit, bacon, hash browns, quiche) and opened a few presents.

Charlie the champion crawler loved "helping" Daddy vacuum (which to our surprise, he isn't afraid of at all!) (Please notice my mom's awesome Christmas jammies).

Kerry (my sister-in-law) and her sister, Kristin, checking out the Christmas cards

Uncle Steve and Charlie

Our little family on Charlie's! First! Christmas!

"Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!"

Sam was excited to open up a new sled

And Grandpa Marty helped Sam and Lily try out their new sleds right away!

Charlie and Grandma Bev

Charlie and Auntie Barb

Charlie was mesmerized by the Christmas tree
(notice the lack of ornaments on the lowest branches)

On Christmas morning, we went to Steve and Kerry's house to open more presents!

Grandpa Marty helping Sam put together Lego models- Sam was occupied by this for hours!

The whole crew- (clockwise from middle) Lily, Steve, Grandma Bev, Charlie, Barb, Grandpa Marty, Grandma Peggy, Kerry and Sam (not pictured: Kristin and Johnny)

Lily and Sam picked out the cutest gifts for Charlie- one of which, a singing pig (not pictured), he loves dancing along

Sam and Lily were all about opening gifts and when they moved onto the next one, Charlie was all about playing with their momentarily discarded toys!

Later Christmas Day, we gathered at Grandma and Grandpa T's house for a luncheon, opening gifts, playing Rock Band, watching movies, and talking to our missionary, Elder Sam!

Jeff, Breea, Charlie and John playing RockBand (Breea and Charlie were playing the yoga ball- a very important instrument)

Baby James- check out his awesome Rudolf slippers!

What a cute little Christmas elf!

Anne was a perky Santa

I love this picture of Charlie and Uncle Jeff because you can see some of Charlie's little dimples. Precious.

John's a perky elf, too

The whole crew (L-R: Mark, Grandpa T, James, Chelsea, Grandma T, Anne, Jeff, Kate, Breea, Dave, Charlie, Barb, and Johnny)


All lined up, youngest to oldest, waiting to go open presents. Poor Anne- Sam is finally gone on a mission and she got booted out of first place by the babies. ;) I love this photo because James is so excited to grab Chelsea's hat and Charlie can't quite figure out what we're doing.

Charlie helped Daddy open his stocking

Dave and Breea, Mark and James

Anne, Kate, Jeff and Uncle Jim

The Sunday after Christmas, we had our ward choir program. My mom made John and Charlie matching Christmas vests! Aren't they dapper?

John, my mom and I are all in the choir so we needed someone to watch Charlie. Steve came to tend him and Charlie fell asleep in his arms! He shall now be known as the Baby Whisperer.



It was a great holiday. I'm so glad my mom could be here to celebrate with us! However, I missed being with Richard, Cat and my dad. It was a little tricky to work in Charlie's napping schedule while being shuffled around to so many different places but there were plenty of people willing to hold and love him!!