Temple Square

This was one of the things that we weren't able to fit in before Christmas so we decided to make Christmas last as long as possible and we headed up to Salt Lake to Visit Temple Square! I can't believe how packed it still was. And how freezing it still was. It was so fun though…walking around together, getting hot chocolate, seeing all the lights and the nativity. We decided to eat at The Blue Lemon which is one of my favorite places so added bonus there. And we ran into Jami Hodges and got to visit with her which was so fun. Great night with my favorite People Ever!

Christmas Day!!! 2015

I might dare say this is the Best Christmas we've ever had!!! I can't even put my finger on why other than possibly that Tate is at the funnest age ever. He was just so excited and so into Santa Clause and he was just so happy and so were the other kids. I want to ALWAYS have a 3 year old in my house. I don't want Tate to grow up. They woke up so early and were so anxious to run out to the tree…just like  I was all growing up. We had our prayers first, and wrote down our promises and goals "Our Presents to Jesus" and then we lined up youngest to oldest, minus Kemp, and ran out there. Man I feel like a kid myself this morning. They were all so excited and ran to their piles and were so happy and appreciative of everything they got. It was awesome watching them open up their gifts…we are so blessed. The other reason this might have been a favorite is we weren't' in a hurry to go anywhere so we just got to play with the kids and relax. I made a big breakfast of eggs and hash browns in the crockpot and cinnamon roll casserole and had lots of food and just hung out for a while! It was the best. Then we went to Janie's house for Christmas Dinner with the Christensens and exchanged gifts there. I brought the Christmas Ham! I was pretty proud of that. We then headed to my Mom's again for more exchanging of gifts and then for our traditional Downs Family Video 2015 which is always so fun to watch. Pictures of all of us through the year put to music. I know we're going to always treasure these videos. Christmas is a special day and time and although we need to focus on Christ and his life ALL year I also know that it gives us an extra special reason to really prioritize and teach our Children about His Life. I love doing "The Christ Centered Christmas" with our kids and I know it makes a difference in our home when we have our lessons on Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Wisemen, the Angel, and about that first Christmas. We will continue to carry on that tradition. It was also pretty special to have Christmas in our new Home for the first time. I just know this home is where we are supposed to be and where we will raise our family and have so many incredible memories. Our first of MANY CHRISTMAS's!!!!

Christmas Eve 2015

My favorite Day of the year. Always has been and I assume always will be. It's magical, spiritual, beyond exciting…just everything good rolled into one night. We started by heading out to Kathy's where we had a delicious Christmas Eve meal followed by a darling Nativity put on by the kids. Honestly it was adorable. Have you ever seen a cuter Shepherd? I dare you to find one. Kathy gave all the kids one Christmas eve gift which were books that the kids all loved. We then headed out to my Mom's where we had more food and Grandpa gave us a wonderful lesson. I love our Christmas Eve lessons. I love having quiet nights where we learn about Christ and feel the spirit on Christmas Even…it should be the most spiritual night of the year. Afterwards Grandma and Grandpa gave all of the kids their special Christmas tree ornaments, their breakfast boxes, and of course their pajamas!! Its so cute how much the kids love this. I love being at my Mom and Dads house on Christmas Eve. It's just so cozy and brings back so many fond memories. But at the same time I really wanted to do that for my kids. Create the same feelings and memories that I have about my house. So I wanted to get home in enough time to have our own traditions. Which we did. We got to put cookies and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer, spread the reindeers special food out on the lawn (snow), we read stories, had our own little message, and then since Tate is so attached to his little crib and we don't have a finished basement, instead of sleeping under the Christmas tree in the family room…which is where Santa comes, all the kids gathered in Tates room with him and slept together there. We put the snowflake out for Santa to find us and then we all snuggled in there and read the Polar Express! And of course we tracked Santa from the Santa tracker. It really was the perfect evening. The kids couldn't sleep and I had to keep going to check on them to make sure Santa could even come! Toby and I of course watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and had a great Christmas Eve night together.