Christmas

I've been working on the 2013 year in review book, and thus neglecting the blog. And a huge shout out to Weston Graham, who has once again agreed to tackle being my year in review book editor!  He's awesome.  And once he edits and a new Shutterfly Sale occurs, the BOOK shall be printed!  Hoorah!

Be assured we had a lovely Christmas! It was low key and peaceful. Shane had to work until about noon, but the boys were great.  They opened their stockings from Santa Clause and went right to work playing their new Skylander characters.  Nathan had a tear of brotherly love.  When Santa didn't get him the Skylander he wanted, I whispered in his ear it was because his brother had gotten him one and that it was under the tree.  Nathan's eyes welled up and spilled over with tears as he hugged his brother and praised him endlessly for being the "Best Brother Ever." 

Once Shane got home, we opened presents had Christmas Lunch: Ham, homemade rolls, au gratin potatoes, corn, Jell-o, corn flake wreath cookies, and sparkling grape juice, and then proceeded to play toys, watch movies and stay in pajamas all day. We visited with family and enjoyed a quiet day.

Our Snowman - rare to have so much snow

Ashton completed his first round of swim lessons. Loved them!

Our Angel Tree gift, picked by Nathan

Sampling the Christmas goodies.

The Block Party hosted by 94.9 FM. 

Petty boys Christmas get together

NQ's Lego Transformer

The boys in from of the gingerbread house they decorated

Grinch Party w/ Grandpa and Grandma Lenore

Santa and Lenore

The Christmas season was busy and filled with plenty of activity - as you can plainly see.  But the best part of the holidays were a special Stake Conference we had with Jeffrey R. Holland as the guest speaker.  He was powerful.  His message clear; Christmas isn't just about the Birth of the Savior - it's about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It's not just about the little baby born poor and laid in a manger, but about his life, teachings, death and Resurrection also.  I cried, Shane got teary, and the boys did well to sit through the meeting.  Elder Holland blessed us to remember that Christmas doesn't have to be grand with more gifts, and more trips to the store and stacks of presents under the tree.  He told us to enjoy our families and the love that we have for each other, and to know that what we're doing is enough and not to feel the pressures of the season.  It was a great, great meeting.  And I have thanks for the young couple sitting next to us that shared their toilet paper with me while I cried. :)

The Petty's are feeling blessed by the year 2013 and looking forward to some good adventures in 2014.