Merry Christmas!

What a weekend! Saturday and Sunday were kinda crazy but so fun.

Christmas Eve, bright and early we woke up to travel a couple hours to my grandma Fay's house for Christmas Eve Brunch. There was yummy food, family, and good news. One of my cousin's flew in from DC as a surprise Christmas present and another of my cousins is pregnant with my Aunt's first grandbaby. That makes 14 great grandbabies by the end of next year for Gramma Fay. Ella was shy at first with all the adults that she's not used to but once she warmed up she was cute as can be. She found one of those echo-y microphones in Gramma's toy box and marched around the house singing for most of the time. Unfortunately I forgot my camera so there aren't any pictures.

After the breakfast festivities we headed to Andrew's parents to wait for the missionary to call. We even got to skype with him. It was a little crazy trying to fit everyone in but we managed. Afterward Andrew and I headed home because we're selfish and didn't want to share Ella's Christmas morning with everyone. Quick funny story about the ride home. We got into the car and Ella started going "bm-bum-bum! drummer boy!" See, a few days prior we were in the car and she started singing "bumbumbum" and the Little Drummer boy song was on the radio. I taught her the little drummer boy part so she'd actually know what song it was. Turns out it's her new favorite. She is picky about the version though. I don't know who sings it but it's the most popular one where the guys "bumbumbum" in the background most of the song. So on Christmas eve she sang the drummer boy song the ENTIRE way home from Treemonton. That's about 45 minutes. Generally we'll tell Ella she can go to sleep but she sang the whole way. My theory is she was keeping herself awake. Daddy didn't help because he did the whole "If you sleep, Santa will come." And that just got her all excited. But her serenading us on the ride was fun.

At home we hung stockings, read the Christmas story and then sent Elly to bed. Andrew and I then watched White Christmas and relaxed for a bit. Finally it was time to play Santa and we set up Ella's presents, filled the stockings with goodies and took turns for each other. Andrew went first and covered my presents with a pillow so I wouldn't see what I got. Worked out well that way since Andrew got a pecan pie from Santa and I don't think that would've liked being covered with a pillow.

I was the first one up on Christmas morning. 6 to be exact. I was starving but too lazy to get a snack and go back to sleep so I just laid there for a couple hours. Finally I got up, showered, and by the time I got out Ella was knocking on her door wanting out. So glad we got those child locks or we would've missed her Christmas morning. She knew Santa was coming and as soon as we let her out she ran into the living room and straight to her stocking. She would pick up the toys and say, "Open it?" so she could play with it. If we hadn't reminded her that she had more presents or toys she would've kept playing with the first thing opened. Ella hadn't realized that there were goodies in her stocking but once she did she was so excited! She got some "baby m-m's" and "ca-ey canes" and a chocolate covered marshmallow "sa-a cause" and "apple juice" which was really kiwi strawberry capri sun.

Andrew got a lot of practical stuff from Santa this year. Shoe polish, garments, and a nice temple recommend cover. He did get some blu-rays (we don't have a player but they were cheap enough that it was only a little more than getting them on DVD) the pie, and a book.

Santa got me a nice silicon covered wire wisk, bamboo spoons, and a candy thermometer. My non-stick pans are now safe! Woohoo! In our stockings we got most of the same as Elly but we also got some sparkling cider.

Then came time for opening the presents. Andrew normally hands them out but he threw out his back so the old man let Ella do it. It was a tough job for her because that meant she had to choose which ones to do first. She'd pick one up, shake it/feel it, and then put it down and grab another. We'd finally just grab it from her. Naturally, she helped us open ours too. She was absolutely thrilled with every single one of her presents. Well, except the clothes. She didn't really care about those. Let me clarify. She didn't care about the clothes, but was super excited about her new sunday shoes and boots. A girl after my own heart. She got a little people school bus, two headbands, three rose clips for her hair, a puzzle, barbie, spongebob pillow pal, quilt, wall hanging, doodle board, aquadoodle pad and marker, and I'm sure I'm missing some. Not all of this was given to her by us by the way. Though, we did spoil her.

Once all the presents were opened Ella began to play. And play. And play. And was NOT happy when we pulled her away to get ready for church. She was a good sport though and didn't throw any tantrums. She just whined for a bit til we told her we'd come right back and play some more.

Oh, a gift list for Andrew and I. Andrew got a new shirt from mommy. A new shirt for Elly from Elly that says "Dad's Sweetheart" on it. She wrapped it and everything. Even though it wasn't really for him, he loved it. His big surprise was a fancy new ratchet screwdriver. Not that he doesn't have enough screw drivers but this one is pretty fancy.

For me, I got a swiss diamond frying pan! For those of you who don't know what those are, they are AMAZING! They are non-stick, but diamond coated so the non-stick won't scratch. Even ifyou use metal on it. And in case it does you're covered with a lifetime warrantee which includes use of metal. So no matter what I do, I will have this awesome pan for life. I also got a lid for it (they dont' come with it apparently) and the lid has a fancy turn thing to let steam out if you need. I've been wanting one for forever but they're kind of expensive so I'm super excited. Oh and Andrew also gave me a "coupon" for new bras. Woohoo! So very soon I will have some new support.

After church we headed back to tree town where we opened up presents from family and ate and played. I got some nice serving dishes. Andrew got a cocoa-latte machine. Ella got a baby doll and some lock-blocks. And we all got matching pajama pants (on Christmas eve) which we made. The girls were the same and the boys were the same. Andrew picked the boys fabric which is why it's so ugly. But they sure are comfy.
It was a wonderful Christmas. It was crazy, and we're all exhausted but it was so much fun. Playing Santa is way more fun than waiting for him. We can't believe this is Ella's third Christmas already and are so excited for her fourth when she'll be even crazier and more fun.

And after going to temple square last night we are ready to get back to normal and relax. We're planning on having a nice mello New Years, just the three of us. Which means just the two since Ella will be sleeping. So Merry Christmas, Happy New Years, and we hope you all had as joyful a holiday as us!