Moving On

Every November, the day after Thanksgiving, I am ready. Ready to break out the red and green boxes which hold my Christmas decor. Ready to drape my pictures with greenery and my mantle with lights. Ready for the advent wall hanging, the ceramic Christmas tree Glenn's grandmother made long before I came along, the weird tri-fold Santa thing Glenn and I got with a Pier One gift card our first Christmas together.

And then, on December 26th, I am ready for this:

This year, on December 26th, there was still so much going on. Still a baptism to plan for and get through, still two families to divide our time between.

Today, though, my side of the family left in the wee hours of the morning. After taking Jill, Jake, and Jenna to the airport at 4:45 AM, I slipped back into bed and ended up sleeping until 9:30. And when I woke up, I was done. Done with Christmas and greenery and Santa. Ready to pack everything back into the red and green boxes for another twelve months. And ready to spend time with Glenn's family and get this new year started.

On November 27, 2009, I will be excited for the clutter of Christmas. But today--December 30, 2008--I'm kind of over it. Christmas will have to be in my heart now, instead of all over my house.

Random Goodness

More scenes from a happy holiday...

Grandma and the girls in green

pizza and movie night


Candy Land

Penitentiary Glen Nature Center in Kirtland

Nativity display at Kirtland visitors center (I Spy Porter - do you?)

Cici's Pizza
Wrestle Mania 2008
Great grandparents!

What brought us all together...

One eight year old girl,

wanting to choose the right.

On a record-breaking warm day in December,everyone came to support Brooke...

Family,


and friends,both those that are new...and those that have lasted through the years.

A special day for a special girl.
Made even more special by being able to share it with those we love.

All I want for Christmas

Kids waiting at the top of the stairs...

...and discovering that Santa had truly come!
Something special for everyoneExcitement, surprise, and looks of joy

Cinnamon rolls for breakfast


Opening presents from youngest to oldest


Uncle Jake


Wishes fulfilled
(Webkinz - still #1 on the Christmas list!)


A big family dinner (at the church!)

Fun and games


The love of



FAMILY.

Knee deep in the hoopla

We are right in the thick of it all, and I'm lovin' it. The family is here, there is yummy food everywhere you turn, and there is always someone (or some fun new toy) to play with.

Our Christmas Eve celebration was in keeping with the traditional Brooks Family style. Even though one major piece of the puzzle was missing (Uncle Jake was stuck in Houston!), we enjoyed the essentials of a perfect Christmas Eve:

Appetizer buffet

Children's Nativity (completely run and performed by the children this year)
Snuggling in the living room while watching "Elf"
Piles and piles of Christmas cookies (I finally broke into my stash) and Melissa's fudge

Opening one present (the kids' Secret Santa gifts to each other)

Last minute letters to Santa, hanging stockings, and setting out cookies

Glenn and me with a tradition of our own...

We're ready, Santa!