Merry Christmas

This year we very nearly canceled Christmas in the Dahl House. Our house was (and is) still in shambles. I had declared that we would not put up a Christmas tree until I had finished painting the living room. It is much harder to texture and paint a room than it used to be. Something about a small child being in the house. Well, we decided that Cormac simply couldn't live his first Christmas without a tree and decorations, so we finally gave in and ventured out into our backyard to find a tree.

The only tree small enough to cut down was quickly found and we did a quick photo op, and then Cormac and I retreated back into the house while Ammon cut down the tree and placed it in the stand.
Sandy and Charlie were perched outside on their wall watching us decorate through the dining room window. They too were looking forward to Santa coming. Unfortunately, they found themselves on the naughty list and so their pickings were a bit slim on the blessed day.

The day after we put up our tree (which happened to be only 5 days before Christmas) our tree decided that it had had enough. We came home to discover that perhaps it would have been better to cancel Christmas after all. So we took a trip to Home Depot to get a stud finder. Ammon then skillfully hung the tree from the ceiling. He said that if it fell down again he would have to retire as a man. We are not exactly sure what he would be at that point. So far it is still standing as is Ammon's manhood.
We were able to celebrate Christmas Eve at my Aunt Julie's house. Cormac and I were jolly as we ate fabulous home made pizza and sipped frappe.
Each Christmas Eve it is the tradition of my mom's family (those whom we were celebrating with) to do a white elephant gift exchange. Having moved into a house where a lot of treasures had been left behind, Ammon and I were really looking forward to this event. Ammon had to fashion a box to contain one of the gifts. We ran out of packing tape so he used duct tape. He also did the wrapping.
Here is the first treasure that we bestowed upon our family. Uncle Jesse was lucky enough to open up this beauty. He didn't end up with it. But we know that Stacy will treasure it always. I believe she has plans to hang it in her bathroom.
Our other gift was a box full of those lovely springs that you find on screen doors. Not sure why we had a box of them, but they made a wonderful gift. After the gift exchange Cormac had his first starting roll in a play as Baby Jesus.
That night Santa found our house. He also found our tree still standing. As you can see, despite Charlie and Sandy not making the nice list, Cormac did very well.
Cormac was happy to start out with his stocking where he got shoes. He also opened Sandy and Charlie's stockings. They weren't too naughty I guess, they did get treats and balls for chasing.
Cormac loves his new play yard. He is fascinated by it. And today we learned that he can roll from his back to his side and back again all by himself. He had to check himself out in the mirror after all. Then it was back to staring at the giraffe. We got a range stove from Santa as a family gift. I have enjoyed it thoroughly so far. Making cinnamon rolls has never been so wonderful. I also received the most glorious pair of snow boots which have been particularly handy with the recent storm. They are also fashionable. Ammon got some walkie talkies that we have been having fun with. He also got a chain saw, but I think we are needing to exchange it for a different version, so it is still in the box.
After the presents we joined my Aunt Harriet and her family for the most fabulous prime rib dinner. Harriet is too good to us. One of the benefits of being back in Utah Valley is Harriet's divine cuisine. We also played a game that Ammon and I were horrible at. Apparently we don't watch enough T.V.
And at the end of the day I found my boys asleep on the couch amidst all the wrapping and boxes. I guess it is good we didn't cancel Christmas. It was a wonderful day. Now we are gearing up to have all of our family here for Cormac's blessing this coming Sunday. It will be an event to remember. I would imagine that after we get through this week of getting our house prepped and then through the actual event you can bet you will find all three of us passed out on the couch, sort of like the above picture. I hope you all had a merry Christmas. We sure did.