Asher's First Christmas: 4 days of food, family, fun.

I thought I would take the time to document Asher's first Christmas.  On the 23rd, we had a nice morning as a family and then packed everyone up for my family's house.  Mom made a delish dinner of steak, fondue, and other yummy stuff that is so good you feel your arteries clog as you smell it.  We spent the night, and then on the morning of the 24th had a little pretend Christmas morning.  It was so fun having toys under the tree again.

After a hearty brunch and lots of games, we headed home to get a good nap in.  Christmas Eve, we went to my parents' church for their children's Christmas Eve service.  Mom helped direct it, and the little kiddos were so cute.  Asher was the only baby in the service who was content to stand on Dad's lap and watch.  He loved sitting with Grandpa and was especially interested in all the candles for "Silent Night".

On our way home, we decided to start a shameful Christmas Eve tradition and do a progressive fast-food dinner.  Don't judge--it was a long car ride and the baby was sound asleep.  We got cinna-twists and Taco Bell, fries at McD's, and jo-jo's and root beer floats and A&W.  Don't be jealous--it was amazing.  :)

After a full night of sleep (thanks, Asher!) we had a quiet Christmas morning just with our little family.  After showers, we headed out for Tyler's family.  Soon after we got to his parents' house, our nephew and his parents arrived.  Asher and Eli have spent lots of time together, and we love getting everyone together.  Jenn, Tyler, and I cooked a big breakfast for everyone, and we spent the day laughing and watching the boys open gifts (okay, we got some, too.)  The boys were great and even took naps throughout the day!!

Later, Tyler's Aunt and her family came over and we had a huge Christmas dinner with all the fixings.  So good.  After dinner, the rest of Tyler's extended family came over and we had tons of desserts and lots of fun.  

We got back LATE Christmas day.  On the 26th, we got up, packed up, and headed out to my Aunt's house.  We didn't think we were going to get to see my extended family this year, but my cousin/good friend was in town and we really wanted to get together.  While we were there, Santa came by the visit Asher!  He was a very brave boy and seemed fascinated.

Christmas Lessons:

1. We are so very blessed to have the best family in the world.  
2. Christmas is SO MUCH MORE FUN with a kid/baby.
3. The joy of Christmas has ZERO to do with gifts.  You could probably say we made out gift-wise better this year than any other year--but that was truly not even close to the best part.  We are grateful for how our families blessed us, but we are most grateful for their love.
4. Four days of celebrating Christmas is exhausting.
5. Progressive Fast-Food Dinner: great idea in theory.  Bad idea gastro-intestinally.
6. There are really really good foods our there in the world.  In the last three weeks, I've gained three pounds and Tyler six.  Totally worth it.
7. Above all, it was wonderful celebrating the birth of the Savior surrounded by those we love.
8. Asher makes everything better.  

Merry Christmas!