Merry Christmas (the 2011 version)

Merry Christmas! (a little late).

Afton was absolutely enthusiastic about decorating the Christmas tree this year. She was so excited, that she redecorated it nearly every day after it was up. The tell-tale sign of Afton's handiwork was ten ornaments hanging on a single branch. Ainsley, however, was more captivated by the boxes the ornaments came in than any part of the decorating process.

Christmas eve was truly fun. The girls got in their matching Christmas pajamas (courtesy Grandma Debbie) and Tony made a fire. They roasted marshmallows and had Danish strawberry pudding. Afton was very pleased to leave Santa a cookie and strawberry milk.

Christmas morning was, for the first time this year, a moment of excitement too. The girls liked their gifts, but I had to laugh when they seemed most exuberant over the fruit snacks Santa had left in their stocking. Then, after a short time playing with the new goods, we got dressed up for church.

All in all, Christmas 2011 was a success. We can safely say that this Christmas was a less hectic, less chaotic, less stressful time of year than Christmas 2010. Bishop Tony crammed his 125 tithing settlement appointments into a marathon day in November and a couple additional evenings. He managed to visit most of the 100 widows in our congregation during December with a cake pop treat and Christmas message. (Several of them got after him for not wearing a coat. He told them they sounded just like his wife. They told him his wife was right.) The girls were easier to plan presents for this year, relieving much of my stress. We did not travel 600 miles in questionable winter weather. Half way through the month, I started crossing things off my Christmas to-do list not because they were done, but just because I wasn't going to do them anymore. (My apologizes for no Christmas card or Christmas treats to any who usually get them.) And, oh yeah, Afton is no longer two and Ainsley no longer wakes up two to three times a night these days. And on top of that, we got to spend time with extended family and enjoyed feeling their kindness and generosity during the season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!