Christmas in Colorado

I always forget just how busy the holidays are. So much baking to do, little gifts to buy, deliveries to drop off, events to attend, cards to send out, packing to be done...trying to keep in mind what it is all about and not get over stressed. Thought I better quickly document what we have been up to before we head out of town and it all gets blurred together.

I dragged everyone to the Candy Cane Festival at Hammonds Candy Factory. It was insanely crowded but the girls got a ride on the Christmas train so it was worth it.

Ben and I went out for a Christmas date in Denver and saw the Christmas Carol. Our babysitter came late and there was a ton of traffic so getting there was stressful but we still had a great time. The show was wonderful and it was so fun to be out.
We went to the ward breakfast and nativity. Santa came at the end and we got another picture of the girls refusing to smile...still cute. This pic with the free ward Santa is quite a bit better than the $25 one we got at the mall that I abandoned at my moms. Santa pictures have not been our strong point this year. We bundled up snug and went to zoo lights at the Denver Zoo. It was (again) unbelievably crowded but awesome once we were inside. Rosie kept us busy pulling off her mittens and boots constantly and throwing them overboard. I ended up getting her out of the stroller and dancing around with her to the Christmas music and our camera went flying out of my pocket and broke. boo. But all in all it was a great night.
On Sunday we had a mini family Christmas because Cindy and Chris won't be able to make it to Maryland for the holiday and we didn't want to drag too many presents back east with us. The girls got some lovely presents. The favorites were awesome radio flyer push bikes from their grandparents and teddy bear leash backpacks for the airport from their daddy. We had a big Christmas feast, put together plates of goodies for some friends, went caroling, and watched the George C. Scott version of the the Christmas Carol (we can't get enough). The girls have had a blast playing with their presents all week and dragging gift bags around the house and filling and emptying them with all sorts of stuff (their absolute favorite thing to do). Christmas is only three days away and I can hardly believe it. We have been so busy and I've been so panicked to get everything done that it seems to have come faster than any other year. We have had a ton of fun and done everything I wanted to do but I'm still not ready for it to be over. I'm ready for some quiet moments to just take it in and reflect on the true reason for the season. Hope you find that time too.

Have a very, merry Christmas!