Christmas Break

Today is the last day of my kids' Christmas break.   It has been great having some time off from everything.  Derek had some vacation time left so he was home too.  We were able to prep for Christmas, finish some projects on the house, and spend lots of time as a family.  We made it to temple square and saw the beautiful lights, even though it was freeeeeezing. 

On Christmas Eve we had a little family party at our house.  We had dinner and the kids made gingerbread houses. 

After the party it should have been easy to finish everything up.  I finished wrapping gifts after a couple of hours and everything was ready to go, but Chase wouldn't go to sleep.  We tried everything, including driving him around in the car on the icy roads.  He finally drifted off around 1:30 and we quickly finished up all our Christmas preparations and went to bed around 2:30.  He woke up at 3am screaming and continued screaming until 6am.  Thankfully Ethan and Julia slept in (the beauty of our Christmas break schedule I guess) and didn't make us come down until 10.  Chase slept until 11. 

Ethan and Julia opened presents without him, and he woke up cheerful and happy to open presents (even a few that weren't for him). 

That afternoon we went to my parents' house to share and open gifts, and we took brunch with us. 
That night my family came over for Christmas dinner.  Daphne and Chase were really cute playing together, and it was so fun seeing everyone.  . 

 

(I should have taken more pictures because I didn't quite get everyone.)

It was a great day, hope you all had a great Christmas too!