December

December was definitely a whirlwind. It felt like we were always running, doing something every single night. I love the Christmas season. There is just a special, magical feeling.

We decorated our tree! I love the lights, they bring a special feeling into our home.

Russ got our Christmas lights up but only on the first level.

We started two new Christmas traditions. The first is unwrapping and reading a Christmas book each night counting down until Christmas. The second, is the Elf of the Shelf. Our elf didn't do anything too exciting. He would only move from place to place each night. The first night the Elf brought Bryce's Christmas jammies, a movie and popcorn.

Bryce's best friend turned 3! Look at this amazing cake his mom made for him. I hope Bryce doesn't get any ideas.

Of course we made time to go the Thanksgiving Point to see the reindeer, eat ice cream and run through the dino museum.

Our neighbor gifts this year were pretty simple but I thought they were cute. Who doesn't want some candy?

We saw the Forgotten Carols again this year. We went with some of the Hunsaker clan.

We went over to the Harvie's house for dinner and made the most delicious Christmas sugar cookies. Bryce loved playing with their kiddos and didn't want to go home.

We went to a live Nativity with some of our other friends. It was cold and the lines were kind of long but I enjoyed it. Bryce loved seeing the camels and other animals.

Big surprise but Bryce is still obsessed with BYU. Tyler had several extra tickets to the BYU vs Utah basketball game so he invited Bryce, Russ and I. Bryce was in heaven!

We have made a special point to decorate or take baby Olivia something for each holiday. My mom and Nana sent my brother out to get a tree and a poinsettia for her. They looked perfect! It always makes us feel special when people go out of their way to remember and honor her memory.

Bryce and I went to the lights at Temple Square with Tan, Lauren and Adds. Russ couldn't come because he was out of town for work but he doesn't love to go anyway so he wasn't super sad. Bryce saw a Santa on the street and was in awe. He couldn't believe that Santa was right there. We walked up to him so Bryce would say hi and the look on his face was priceless. He told Santa he wanted a big airplane and Santa told him he had to be good and he'd see what he could do. From that night on Bryce kept saying "I have to be good."

A few years ago we started having a kid free dinner with all the Hunsaker adults before Christmas instead of exchanging gifts. It has been a nice was for us to all get to talk and spend time together without the kids. I especially enjoy it on years we are in New Mexico because I feel like we are still part of the traditions.

We visited Russ' parents the Sunday before we left to Chama. We took them their Christmas gifts and got to spend time visiting with them.

We tried to go visit the Santa at Cabela's but I didn't look up any specific info and when we got there we found out he is only there on weekends. It got even more exciting when Bryce threw up right next to the fish tank and we had to stop people from stepping in it. I don't know if he was sick or ate a piece of the fish food. We finally got to see a Santa at the outlets but they wouldn't let us take a picture with him on our phone. Finally, I convinced Russ to go the Riverwoods the next night to get some pictures with Santa. Tyler and Nicole came on that adventure and we got some cute pictures with Nixon and Bryce.

Bryce made a gingerbread house at the babysitter's house.