I think we would all agree that this Christmas was our best Christmas yet. This was Jon and I's 10th Christmas together and our 9th Christmas married. However, this was only the 3rd Christmas that we've spent in our own home. Christmas Eve day we took the kids and Trevor swimming at the Ontario pool and had a great time. That night Jon's Uncle Roger joined us for dinner. After the children were snug in their beds and sound asleep, Jon and I watched The Forgotten Carols.
It's become tradition in our home for the kids to open a present Christmas Eve. Lydia opened a book and Hyrum opened a watch.
Christmas morning Hyrum was the first to rise at about 6:40am. That was early for us, but after talking to other parents, I've decided we're pretty lucky. Hyrum went upstairs by himself and quickly came running back downstairs announcing that Santa had brought him a Wii. At that point we all got up to see what else Santa had left. This picture is of Hyrum opening Big Game Hunter 2010. Surprising that Santa would bring a hunting game...
Inside Hyrum's game was a note from Santa asking Hyrum to help me find my present from Santa. It was found not too much longer behind the couch all nicely wrapped. To my surprise it was a Wii Fit Plus.
Santa brought Lydia a Little Mommy set, Wii Play and a Wii remote.
It was so nice to have a piano in our home this Christmas season!
Trevor opening his swimming pass and watch from Hyrum.
Lydia's had a toy kitchen for a year or so but has never had any food to go with it. I was excited to find "Healthy" food instead of the typical junk food they have.
Grandma Lindsey made Hyrum and Lydia really nice blankets for Christmas. The outdoor print matched Hyrum perfectly! They also each got a plastic storage tub with their name on it.
Whenever we asked Lydia what she wanted for Christmas this year her response would always be, "A Cinderella DVD." After she opened her presents from Santa she even commented that Santa had forgot her Cinderella DVD. Thank goodness Mom was on the ball gave her one!
Lydia was so cute opening presents this year. While opening one present she made that comment Christmas was soooo exciting and she was getting exactly what she wanted!
Yikes, what a mess, but it sure was fun! Hyrum's sporting his new shoes, new fleece pants, and new long john shirt. Lydia's wearing one of her princess dresses. She got a treasure chest filled with 3 dresses a couple crowns, couple necklaces and a pair of gold slippers. Front and center is my new food processor. I also got: a rolling pin, a griddle, an electronic dictionary, boots, and heads for our Sonicare toothbrush. Jon gave me everything on my list. What a husband!! As far as Jon's gifts he bought the majority of them at the Outdoorsman during their big sale. I was able to surprise him with a sweater, a book, walkie talkies, and a treasure hunt to find his new bike. That was pretty fun.
We spent Christmas evening at the Richin's home in Weiser. We ate a delicious dinner, played a few games, and visited. We all had a great time and it was a very enjoyable evening.
Jon made a football out of paper and he and Hyrum and Lydia played a little game of football on the table.
Me, Lilly and Hyrum
I think he likes me :) Good thing cause I'm quite fond of him myself!
Hyrum playing the Wii Fit
The 28th of December is Miss Hulet's birthday so we had her over for dinner and dessert. She's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. We sure enjoy having her around. The kids were pretty excited that she brought them each a Christmas stuffed animal and some candy.
I didn't do an official Christmas letter this year. I sent out and email with a short letter and a link to our blog. The letter I sent is below.
Merry Christmas to our Family and Friends!
Another year ending and a new one beginning. The speed of time and the pace of life never cease to amaze me! Hyrum turned 7 last month and is in 1st grade this year. School comes easy for Hyrum so far and he is doing very well. He is reading at a 3rd grade level and is in the top 95th percentile in the Nation for 1st graders. It comes as no surprise to me since Hyrum has always been very mature and very grown up for his age. He literally has been talking since he turned 1 and has always appeared to be at least a year or two older than he is. Hyrum is a sweet loving boy and a fun big brother for Lydia. His love for hunting and fishing and being in the outdoors with his Dad increases each year. Jon's lucky to have such a great buddy. Lydia turned 3 in September and is still a jovial happy little girl. She enjoys girl activities like nail polish and make-up, baby dolls, barbies, dress up, and princesses, but spends the majority of her time playing boy activities with her brother. One of Lydia's favorite activities is to hide from Dad. She's still innocent enough to believe that if she closes her eyes she's invisible. Jon plays along well and they have a great time. So much fun that Hyrum now joins in, "hiding" right along with Lydia. Jon received a late Christmas present in January when another Doctor joined him in the practices. This has relieved Jon and allowed him to relax more this year. It has also provided an opportunity for us to spend more family time. In April Jon and I visited Hawaii while the kids visited Grandma and Grandpa DeCoria. In May Jon drove to Alaska with his best friend to help him move from Colorado. Few things in life bring Jon as much joy as hunting and Alaska. (I even find myself competing with the two!) His church calling changed a few months ago from Stk Young Men's Secretary, which he's had since we moved here over 3 years ago, to 2nd Counselor in the Elder's Quorum. He's enjoying being more involved in our ward. There's not a day that goes by that I'm not grateful for the wonderful man I am married to. Jon is an amazing husband and father. The children and I are blessed to have him! As for me, I am loving my life. I love being a mother to two adorable children and a wife to such a good man. Besides being a wife and a mother, I still serve as the Young Women's President in our ward. I enjoy working with the youth because I realize how important these years are for them. My teenage years were so blessed. (Thanks to all of you who were a part of them!) In September I began slowly weaning myself away from our office. I am happy to say my only part now is support for our receptionists. I am still working towards getting certified as a Clinical Whole Food Nutritionist and love what I am learning. My passion for learning runs deep and brings me great joy! We are all excited for Santa to visit in just two short days! We love the Christmas season, but not because of Santa or the gifts. We love Christmas because it reminds us of our Savior Jesus Christ. We are so grateful for His birth, His life, His atonement, and His resurrection. We know that He lives. We know that He loves us and that He loves each of you. We know His power is real and is still on the earth today. Our prayer is that we may all invite Him in our lives and receive of the blessings that only come from doing so.
May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Much Love, Jon, Rachel, Hyrum, & Lydia
