Christmas!

  Per tradition, we opened one gift each the night before Christmas.  Usually we open PJs, but this year we decided a book for each of the girls to be their first gift.

Santa came!

Ellie discovering Kate's gift from Santa.

And then being pointed to her gift.

First thing in the morning, once everyone is up, we go through the gifts Santa brought everyone first.  There's no peaking until everyone is up!  Something every child ever struggles with, which just makes it all the more fun.  Andrew and I like to let the girls have fun with those gifts first and then later in the morning or afternoon, we open presents.  Here are the girls ready to open the presents!

Let the opening begin!

I love watching my girls take care of each other.

Trying on new earrings.

Feeling pretty.

Looking adorable and ready to go!

Christmas dinner was low key and simple.  The whole day was great, spent giving to and thinking of each other and remembering the birth of our Savior. 

Trip to Santa Fe and the Loretto Chapel

  We made another trip to Santa Fe to go see the famous Loretto staircase, built in 1878.  Legend goes that they don't know who built it.  The staircase has two 360 degree turns with no visible means of support.  It is also said that the staircase is built without nails. They believe the mysterious carpenter is Saint Joseph. Whoever built the staircase did a superb job. The thing is beautiful. 

Window shopping is eye-opening in Santa Fe. We walked into one shop, looked at the price tag for a scarf or something small and walked right back out.  We feared our kids would breathe too much in the wrong direction and we would be charged for it.  I took a picture of this fur coat, from the other side of the glass mind you, because I could not believe how expensive it was.  $10,375.  How do you even wear such a thing after you buy it?  I would be social distancing like a crazy person, acting like there was a real pandemic going round. 

  There was another beautiful church that was open so we walked inside to catch a break from the cold.  The pictures and decorations were beautiful.  Christmas is a wonderful time to visit almost anywhere.  All the lights, garland, and bows make everything so much more beautiful.

The girls love wearing red, no matter the time of year.  I like it more at Christmas time.

Quick visit from Jon and family, and lots of laughs

   Jon, Noreen, and Emma stopped in to visit for a night as they were on their way up to Utah.  We enjoyed the little time they were with us.  Kate and Abby, of course, pulled out the cards to show how well they can play Cover Your Assets. They dominated often.

Emma loved the dogs and followed them around everywhere.

Gerald pulling on Emma's sleeve did not deter her at all from following him around.  In fact, she thought it quite amusing. 

Ellie loved hanging out with Emma and sharing toys.

Taking turns using the tablet. 

Gerald loved digging holes in the back yard and then taking a nap in them.  This habit of his resulted in us purchasing a roomba.  The dog brought in so much dust and leaves it was maddening.

Kate LOVED making Becca laugh and was usually quite good at it, despite Becca being so serious.

Abby decided to join in on the fun.

Abby trying to help Ellie out of the walker...meant for BABIES.  Ha, she was stuck pretty good.

All dolled up and ready for church.

Not sure what she was upset about but she sure looks cute.