Christmas Day 2011

Merry Christmas from our UTE tree!

My beautiful Grandma Margaret (my Dad's Mom)

I feel so blessed this Christmas to be here to celebrate the birth of my Savior.

My husband and I had the opportunity to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my Mom and Dad this year.  We had such a great time.  Just being there and sharing in their warmth and love was a perfect way to start the day.  I'm so very thankful for a family that loves me.  My parents were the 2 people who taught me that Christmas isn't about the presents, but about the people you are with, and they make sure to love the person they are with so well.

Papa Kirk opening his gift

It was a very relaxing evening.  We ate dinner, wrapped gifts, I took a nap, we played games, and just enjoyed the company.  It was wonderful to spend that special time with them and my husband.  We only have 1 more Christmas in Utah before we move away for Medical, so I am really treasuring this year.

Momma Cay opening her "Baby's are the best present" ornament

These past 2 weeks have been really tough.  I haven't been able to eat and have been in and out of the hospital, and so to be able to forget about all the struggle and all the pain I am going through for this night was fabulous.  I have the greatest family in the world, and I couldn't be more blessed.

the Abelskiver maker

After having our tradition ableskiver breakfast with my family, Dave and I got in the car and headed to his parents to celebrate with them.  It was a lot busier over there.  We went from 4 adults to 6 sisters, 2 brother in laws, and 2 nehphews.  Quite a change,  but SO MUCH fun.

I had been planning my in laws gifts for months now (homemade gift baskets of a few of their favorite things) and it was so much fun to see their faces when I handed their baskets to them.  I think homemade gifts are the best.  We then opened the family gift which was the xbox kinect, and we've been dancing our little fannies off all afternoon.  It's been a blast.  After that Dave and I do what we do every year, we had our Christmas.

Dave's Sturhling watch

Dave and I like to celebrate with both families, and then come home to our home, with just the 2 of us and have our Christmas.  We had so much fun!  Dave has gotten me stuff that I had mentioned throughout the year and I had no idea what he was getting me, but he did above and beyond perfect and it was so fun!  I got him a gift that he would never have expected in a million years.  He has wanted it forever, but would never take the money to buy it for himself, so this entire year I have saved up and I was able to get the 2 top things on his list of things he wanted when I had money, a custom made wedding ring, and a really nice Swiss made watch.  He got them both today, and he loved them.

To me personally, I would rather give then receive.  Giving gifts is so much fun for me.  I love to give a little bit of my heart with each gift that I give.  I made each one of Dave's 7 sisters a pair of earrings for Christmas this year, because it's something that I can do to show them that I love them.

Me enjoying my rainbow colored Happy Place

This Christmas was perfect.  I wouldn't change one thing about it (well I would change it so I could eat, but just that).  I hope you all had a Merry Christmas as well!  Have a wonderful New Year!

Love,

Jilly Strasburg