Christmas 2012

 We had the best Christmas this year! I think it was thanks in large part to how many service opportunities we had. It's cliche, but it works- when you put Christ in Christmas in just gets better. Go figure! 

This is Abby and I all gussied up for one of those service moments. We were getting ready to drop a gift off at someone's door and were going to run. Abby and I are similar in that the moment anxiety and fear hits, we go deer-in-the-headlights. I know we all talk about flight or fight. The missing 'F' word? Freeze. Thus, costumes were necessary in case we stood frozen legged on their lawn and were discovered. Fortunately, each night we did this, we were able to squeal our tires down their quiet street before discovery. Which is good, because if I found two homeless looking ladies in cheap sunglasses and Disney Princess wigs had dropped me a gift, I might be nervous to pick it up off the front porch.

We of course had to see the big guy. This was the Santa at Springs Preserve. Abby this year asked for one thing: a green pen like her teacher uses to correct papers with. I love this kid! Her teacher told me that she is the most well adjusted, giving only child she's ever met. (Which I take as a high compliment since she is the mother of an only child.) I've got to say, I fully agree. We added a new Christmas movie to our repertoire this year, "Stalking Santa." It's a mock-umentary about a guy who is a Santaologist and he is going to prove the existence of Santa. When asked the question about how does Santa make it to every child's house in one night, he goes through a hilarious set of graphs and numbers, adjusting for non-Christian households, non-believers, etc. in an attempt to show it's actually quite possible for Santa to deliver presents in one night. At the end of his explanation he says, "Oh, and of course you have to take out all of the single-child families, because you know those kids are spoiled and won't get nuttin'!" To him I say poo! Abby's buckin' the standard deviation!!

We may or may not have had a fair amount of treats. We started a new tradition this year. Abby, who is pining away in her love for Cayden Smith in her first grade class (who, sadly, moved to Texas...not, however, sad for Brandon who is happy to see him go) announced that Cayden's family leaves those rubbery chocolate mini donuts for Santa and thus we should do. I am sorry, but I know the Santa that visits our house wouldn't touch those donuts (well, that's not true, their covered in chocolate- santa would probably eat a whole sleeve truth be told). However, we are trying to keep our standards up and instituted the fresh, homemade donut on Christmas eve tradition. And let me tell you, it's a keeper! We kept the donuts coming long after Christmas eve....we are all a little sick and a bit more rotund, but it's hot donuts, so we won't complain.

This was the Leavitt Lady's one horse open sleigh this year. Brandon was gone for a fair share of weekends during December and Abby and I delivered presents, decked the halls, and spread out holiday cheer while listening to 106.5. Abby took this picture while we were delivering gifts on a Saturday morning. Please note my coordinating Christmas outfit. I love a theme outfit.

 Another Christmas tradition...and the taste of defeat is still bitter in my mouth. Our annual Gingerbread house competition. Here are the entries displayed in order of success from left to right. Seeing our little blue house is second from the left, you'll understand that we came in second to that little log cabin number. Which, is fine. If uncle Ryan wants to spend $50 bucks at Smith's to whomp on his brothers, sisters and their small children, then that's just all fine and Christmasy. The annual trophy goes to Ryan...but just you wait...I'm going to get a pinterest board just dedicated to gingerbread house design and construction. Moving on...

 Now this is how gingerbread houses should be done. I was able to help Abby's class build gingerbread houses this year (they tied it into their math lessons, because they should be 'symmetrical'). Loved it! Loved the frosting mustaches, dipped pony tails, sugar crusted elbows...I love first graders. This is a great age!

 Another great tradition, the santa train! And again, Brandon missed it (he was snowboarding with his pal Clay). This is Abby with Mrs. Claus. When she stopped by us I said, "Mrs. Claus, please meet Abigail, she's a huge fan!" Abby beamed, because she is truly a big fan. We had a long conversation with Mrs. Claus about how she is under represented in Christmas lore and that she undoubtedly does much more than she gets credit for, and that it's a shame that such a positive female role model doesn't get more notice or attention. She affirmed that this is sadly the case and encouraged us to keep up the fight for female folklore figurehead suffrage. We promised her we would. Overall, very positive experience.

 We went on the Santa train with 50 of our closest friends, including the Chatwins. This is Abby's pal Emma. On the ride we had a great view out the window of desert, trash, and some guy sleeping on the rocks with a back pack. I love scenic Nevada!

Abby and her pal Lacey riding "Reindeer" at Springs Preserve (they are really ponies with antlers on). Springs Preserve was a great night. The South Pointe primary was invited to sing 2 twenty minute sets and they would pay us. We practiced hard, we had some fabulous  numbers, I got to play the piano in public for the first time ever. It was great! We used the money to fund a service project of delivering gifts and cards while caroling to the single ladies and widows in our neighborhoods and ward. It was super, duper fun!

Other Christmas noteables: 

• Abby went roller skating for the first time. Yes, she skated into the wall (that's why they're carpeted, don't worry, she's fine) but she loved every minute of it!
• Cookie decorating party and pizza with our friends. Good, deafening fun!
• Brandon went to his company christmas party in Missouri. Had a great time, other than having to share a hotel room with another attorney he didn't know. 
• Ward Christmas party was fun this year and the primary sang. Love my primary kiddos! 
• We had a farewell dinner with our friends, the Marthalers. They're moving back to Arizona. It is tragically sad for us and good for them. They have been such an inspiration of faith, fun, and positivity. They will be sorely missed.
• Went to Bass Pro shop with our friends the Smiths. They have a great Santa!
• Annual Hanson Christmas party was super fun! I came back with a full Rudolph outfit for my car...which, I lacked the courage to put on and I am terribly surprised by that. I do, however, feel like I could easily do the wreath on the grill.
• Saw the living nativity/petting zoo (you wouldn't think those two things go together, but they do) at the Green Valley Baptist church. Such a quality production. Highlight of my Christmas! 
• Had a big Leavitt/Wallace Christmas lunch and were able to see Delmont and Wanda. 
• Saw my friend Becky sing with her Sisters. "Breath of Heaven" brought tears to my eyes!
• Had a marshmallow roast with some of our friends, the gerace boys, and the missionaries. 
• While Brandon was snowboarding, he developed altitude sickness, puked 12 times on one run. Probably most miserable snowboarding experience of his life.
• Abby had her traditional meltdown that santa was coming. Whole concept is terrifying to her. She had nightmares all night and couldn't get to sleep because the idea of some stranger coming into her house is creepy. She left plates of oats and carrots for each reindeer and a nice note for santa. In the morning, she found that santa had spilled the oats all the way from the table to the fireplace. He's a messy one, that santa!
• Abby sung for the family at the annual Christmas eve party. Did a lovely job! Uncle Chad also sang, had no idea he even could, but it was awesome. 
• Abby heard she was going to disneyland as a christmas gift and announced that, "All of my dreams are coming true!"
• Christmas day, we had a monopoly tournament. I was getting soundly ahead and brandon through his money at me, called me a tyrant and told me I was just like Mr. Potter from "it's a wonderful life."
• Ended the day with the Cactus lights at ethel M's and Josh Groban singing us Oh Holy Night.