Forgotten Santa

Hyrum's Christmas exuberance was so fun this year.  He was super excited to tell anyone and everyone his birthday was on Christmas day and they were welcome to give him a gift.  This extra holiday spirit resulted in an abundance of Christmas-themed pictures.  This one was one of my favorites and was tossed in my ever expanding pile of important papers to look at one day.  Luckily, it was saved and now can be documented for the world to enjoy: 

Santa... with pockets.

Unexpected Guest

I have to say, I almost love taking down and packing up Christmas as much as I love putting it up.  Just like coming home and sleeping in your own bed after a fun vacation.  There's just something so nice about completely normal, monotonous life.  I thrive on an uncluttered house and reliable schedules and LOTS of sleep and super healthy food, so it shouldn't be surprising.

In the midst of packing up I found this little surprise someone (his name might start with an H) left after playing with one of our nativities.  Can you spot the extra friend?

Who knew Yoda was from Bethlehem?

A Christmas and a Birthday

We had another low-key holiday, but sweet none-the-less.  

We had to continue our gingerbread decorating tradition.



Cute little pizza face kisses!



Instead of having a big tree with presents underneath, we had two mini trees on a table with presents in the pacn'play.  Kinda sad, but it saved my sanity this year.

We have very mis-matched, random decorations, but each item reminds us of specific memories and phases in our lives, so I wouldn't have it any other way (until we can afford to buy new stuff in 50 years:)

Awww... a Santa photo without a screaming kid in it...
just wait a few minutes...





On the first day of winter we celebrated by creating our own snow flakes since we don't have our own here.  (I totally missed not having snow!)

 On Christmas Eve, after dinner and reading the Nativity, we opened family presents and played until bedtime.

On Christmas morning the kids opened their presents from Santa, we ate breakfast and rushed to early church. 

Finally, in the afternoon, (after some much needed naps) we celebrated Hyrum's Birthday! 

Hyrum decorated his own cake with an elaborate scene from Star Wars (you'll have to ask him what's going on, 'cuz I can't remember all the names)

We are so lucky to have this boy in our family. 
He watches out for all of us and is so kind-hearted and helpful.

(Bry did the cool decorations)
He loves to make us laugh and gets so sad and frustrated when he slips up and misbehaves.



He is very smart and hard-working (when he's interested in the subject matter)

He has captured the hearts of his teachers at school, church, and many neighbors. 

They constantly compliment him and tell us how sweet he is.

But, best of all he's an amazing big brother and gives love to everyone around him.
We love you Buddy!

Christmas (a little early, and very late)

Hello Blog, I have missed you dearly.  Things have been so incredibly busy around here and you've been severely neglected.  Nope, not the "I'm on vacation and having the time of my life, so I'm too busy to sit at the computer" kind of busy.  The kind of back breaking, moving all our junk, taking up and down pictures and decorations 500 times, deep cleaning every nook and cranny, and touch-up painting until the wee hours kind of busy.  Yes, we spent the entire Christmas break staging our house to sell.  And yes, it might not even sell according to top market specialists, but we are gonna make the house look as beautiful as possible anyway- so HA!!! 

Finding out we needed to put the house on the market in early January was a huge shock (my little naive brain thought it would only take a month or two to sell).  So our dear friend Santa Claus came a week early so we could pack up all the Christmas stuff and start this crazy process.

Even though we were super busy and stressed, we did have time for a little fun...

We made Santa some cookies:

Decorated a Gingerbread House:

Took some pictures of Daddy's cool new beard by the tree and with Hyrum in it so people didn't think we were just trying to show off Daddy's cool new beard:





Opened lots of awesome presents

Hyrum proudly displaying his new Night Fury (you can see the "Christmas Morning" damage in the background)

Played some major dress-ups:

 Tickled and giggled:

Posed in our ADORABLE aprons Amanda Sorenson made:





 Had major fun in the snow:

And... had lots of Daddy time, which was the best present of all!



Winter in Utah

Another winter in beautiful Utah, another post with a million pictures!

I was whining and pinning to spend time with my family and Bry was stressed with finals and patients. We thought it was a brilliant plan to send me and the kids to Utah three weeks early, then Bry would meet us for another three weeks. Well, that was before the "morning sickness" that actually lasts ALL DAY LONG. I was pretty much ill and out-of-it the entire time, but thanks to help from my two awesome families, we all survived and even had some fun.

Here we are at Temple Square. It's a funny tradition. We all bundle up for the arctic expedition- which for some reason is the cruelest torture for little ones. We wade through millions of people, having to remind ourselves (while trying not to lose anyone in the group) to look up at the pretty twinkles. By this time, we can't feel our feet. But, as soon as we reach the nativity with the heavenly Tabernacle Choir carols, the Nativity narration, and the Prophet testifying of Christ as the snow gently falls, it all really feels worth the hassle. This is what traditions are all about right? They may be time consuming and annoying, but there's moments of magic, and that's what we remember in the long run anyway. I also love the hot chocolate and sweets waiting for me when we get home!

Here's the cute little puff balls ready for some winter fun.

We spent a super fun day at the Children's Museum. I wish I could live there- I'm not kidding.

My kids have so many Aunts and Uncles who love them so dang much. I hope they realize how lucky they are one day.

Our cute little Avery and Ivy.

Yeah! Daddy's here! Now the fun can REALLY begin. He helped Hyrum decorate a gingerbread masterpiece.

We all love Grandma Trump- our #1 blog fan.

Bry took the kids bowling. Hyrum not only won, but actually got a strike. Bry usually blows the competition out of the water, (yes, he really is an amazing bowler- I KNOW! What ISN'T he good at!) but he let Ivy take most of his turns. Everyone had lots of fun, and I got a great nap- perfect.

Hyrum and Bry spent a fun afternoon ice skating at Gallivan Plaza. Maybe he'll be able to let go of the railing and skate 10 inches next year.

ANOTHER birthday party for Hyrum at Arctic Circle on Christmas Eve. He's a little too used to special birthday treatment and can't understand why we don't celebrate his Birthday everyday. We love spending this time with the fam though.

On Christmas Eve at the Trump household you can count on a few things: delicious food, awesome presents, and plenty of laughter and mayhem. Yes, count them- 22 grand kids. AND 7 weren't there. It makes for a very non-boring Christmas Eve. Our little one will make the 30th grandchild.

I was so worried all Christmas Eve night. I couldn't sleep a wink.

I remember walking into the living room on Christmas morning with piles and piles of gifts under the tree and an amazing surprise from Santa- like a cool bike or CD player. It was always such an great moment and I couldn't wait to give that feeling to my kids.

Because of lack of funds, and the whole no room in the suitcase scenario, it was slim pickins. Not that our kids are deprived in ANY way (they have some grandparents who make sure they are very well provided for). It was just the scene didn't fit my memories.

As always, the kids loved it. Since we didn't have tons of gifts, I wrapped everything including the little candies and ornaments. The euphoria on Hyrum's face in the picture with the plastic fish says everything. I shouldn't have worried.

I did learn one very important lesson: don't EVER wake up Ivy. Even on Christmas morning she won't forgive you.

After presents we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at Scott and Sue's, then headed for the Hollingsheads. We had yet another amazing meal, present-opening party, and sledding extravaganza. It was truly one of the funnest Christmas holidays I can remember.

The grand finale of our trip was my dear little sis's wedding. She got hitched to a great guy. We are so happy for them. Amy was absolutely breathtaking, but also very practical. Their visionary photographer captured amazing pictures of them months before in beautiful weather. So instead of making us lug the kids in the freezing cold slush, we just took some quick pictures with the Temple attendees and headed to the warm condo- THANK YOU AMY! Many brides (including me) would think, "it's my day and everyone can suffer for it". Not Amy, if it's not needed, it's no big deal. She's so much better than me in so many ways.

The reception was a blast (especially because uncle Golden watched the kids and took Ivy home after she threw up- thank you, thank you, thank you). The food was awesome, the decorations were amazing, and visiting with family and friends was the best thing about the whole trip. Hyrum was adorable, as soon as he arrived he gave Ivy a tour "to teach her manners." He instructed her not to touch the candles, flowers, or food. And no running of course. They both were troopers. Hyrum spent all night at the bar asking for more hot chocolate and pineapple juice.

Even though I was pretty miserable, it was still a great trip. So many people stepped up and helped and I'm so grateful. I know I say this a lot, but I'm so grateful to have such an amazing family. Life would be very different and very lonely without them.