Christmas

This year we spent Christmas as our own little family. Being eight months pregnant I was too pregnant to fly, and had no desire to sit in the car for over 24 hrs (to Washington and back in snowy conditions).

Christmas Eve morning we went to a ward breakfast where we got to know our new bishop. He is originally from Tacoma, knows the Dickson family (although not the Adam and Lanae Dickson family directly), served in Nagoya, Japan mission (where Devin served), and is an OBGYN (and didn't like hearing that he should be a dentist instead!). The breakfast was great but that next Sunday after sacrament the Bishop called us both by our first names and talked in Japanese to Devin! According to my Dad that means we are in for some trouble- the less people (such as bishops, stake presidents...) know you the less likely you are to get busy calling. Of course it is up to the Lord, but our last bishop barely knew our names and we were set comfortably in basic callings... I am nervous for what this might mean!

After the breakfast we visited Grandpa and Grandma Baron, and then drove around to look at lights, while listening to Christmas music. Then it was home to hang our stockings by the 'fireplace'

and the Christmas story played out by our nativity (one day when we have more children we will let them do it!), and then to bed!

The joys of starting our own traditions!

As we discovered earlier Levi is terrified of Santa so Christmas morning we couldn't say 'Do you want to see what Santa brought' because he'd say 'no!!!' and cling to us! This doesn't really bother us because we do the 'Three Gifts' and one big family gift (our fish). Here is a picture of Levi in the mist of the mess. The rest of the morning is on our video camera and in the process of driving me crazy- coming soon!

After relaxing for a few days we went down to Utah to visit with my sisters, and Devin's brother, and to receive more gifts from Popi, Nana, and GG. By this time Levi was a pro at opening presents:

Of his favorite things he got a wooden dump truck from Grandpa, a pair of pajamas that he refused to take off one day, telling us over and over how he got them from Popi, and an interactive dog that barks when you read his story originally named Jingle, but renamed Jingle Bell by Levi, from GG.

Thanks everyone for a wonderful Christmas- we missed you all!