Benjamin's 1st Christmas

Christmas was a lot of fun this year! We spent the holiday with my parents and sister, and enjoyed watching Benjamin play with new toys. It was different than I expected, but still an amazing holiday!

My parents' tree

The best part of Christmas was that Dan had work off for a week and a half. It was so nice to relax, spend time together, and just enjoy the holiday season. Dan worked through December 23rd, and then we headed up to Bountiful that evening. We had a wonderful turkey dinner with Dan's family (which I sadly didn't get a single picture of) and spent the evening with them. We drove to Grandma and Grandpa McGuire's and enjoyed singing Christmas carols and talking with them. It was a fun evening, and a great start to the holidays!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was spent with the Kolts side of the family. Unfortunately Benjamin came down with roseola on the 23rd, and it was at its absolute worst on Christmas Eve. He was so miserable and uncomfortable. We could tell he was super itchy, he kept rubbing his head and face and crying. We finally got some calamine lotion and benadryl, and that seemed to help. He slept a fair amount of the day away, and was kind of a crankster. In the morning we went to a care center that my Uncle is in, and sang Christmas carols and played piano. It was an awesome experience, and very spiritual. I'm glad we took the time during the holidays to go and visit the elderly home.

We also had a wild goose chase, which was so much fun! We tried to get Benjamin to open presents, but every time the wrapping paper would rip, he would bawl. I knew it was because he wasn't feeling well, because when he opened his Christmas pajamas earlier in the month, he had loved it! Poor sick boy!

Dan and I still had fun at the WGC (a huge, crazy, awesome scavenger hunt that my dad sets up. each round you get a gift at the end of the hunt). My parents were so generous and thoughtful with gifts, and it was a fun time. My sisters Anna and Krystal were both here with their cute families. It was fun to watch the excitement and joy in the little kids faces. Christmas is a magical time of year!

Christmas day was fun too. Santa arrived, we opened presents, relaxed, and enjoyed each others company. For Christmas morning it was just my parents, Dan, Benjamin, and I, and my little sister Mariah. It was really fun because we slept in until Benjamin woke up (about 8:30), so everyone felt good in the morning and we weren't all exhausted like sometimes happens. 

Benjamin's Santa Pile

Benjamin still wasn't too fond of opening presents on Christmas Day (although he did do a lot better). I ended up helping him open up a lot of his presents. I think he was a little overwhelmed by all the attention and new things he received. 

I sewed him a hooded towel, because those baby towels are worthless! Way too tiny.

Benjamin received a family of Dino's sewn by my mom and I.

Christmas was great! I definitely felt spoiled, as I think we all did. I received a beautiful pearl necklace from Dan, as well as a Jawbone UP Move (an activity tracker that I asked for). My parents gave us a bread maker, which we are so excited about and have used multiple times already! We also got a baby seat for our bike, which I can't wait to use! I just need to the snow to melt and the sun to return :) Dan's parents gave us a new TV, since ours has been on the fritz. 

The highlight of the Christmas season had nothing to do with gifts, and everything to do with the people. It was fun to have enough time to really visit with both of our families, to play games and relax. Benjamin was a big hit with everyone, and its easy to see why:

Kissy lips courtesy of Aunt Mariah

We feel so blessed for the wonderful families we have, and the wonderful Christmas season we were able to share as a family of 3.