Christmas Extraordinaire!

We were a little too excited this year to wait for Christmas to give McKay his presents. So we started before Christmas...like a month and a half. I was actually hoping it would help keep him busy while I got more things done. It helped a little, but not like I'd hoped. At least he was able to enjoy the novelty of a few of his presents in their singularity (guitar, shopping cart, computer) instead of heaping them all on him in one day. Although, he did end up getting quite a load on Christmas anyway...I was a crazy deal seeking mom who couldn't resist a bargain. (I still am.) We spent a quiet, cozy Christmas at home this year. We woke up, and in true Pearson tradition, got dressed and ate breakfast before opening our presents. We had delicious crepes, savory and sweet, made by our in-house gourmet French chef, Nathan. (He did spend two years there. In France, that is.) We let McKay take his time opening his presents. I think we were still opening presents a few days AFTER Christmas. Mckay LOVED his new kitchen: The burners on his stove quit working, so I took it back and bought a different one on clearance from Target. He loves it even more. He was so happy to have his own motorcycle. He still is a little cautious and likes to turn it on its side to "work" on it with a screwdriver more than he likes to ride it. We are very blessed and truly had an extraordinary day...McKay made this year's Christmas the best one yet. We had a relaxed, happy Christmas with our little family. We look forward to making some of the new things we did into traditions in the years to come. (See previous post for Christmas Eve photos.)

Christmas Eve 2009

We joined some friends, the Bensons and the Homers, for a Christmas Eve celebration. We enjoyed a fabulous Christmas dinner with delicious ham, potatoes, rolls and TWELVE layer jello salad. Oh, and cake, lots of cake. We played bells (made out of pipes), had a Nativity reenactment courtesy of adorable kids, and played Yankee Swap. We had SO much fun!

Enjoy these cute pictures of the children's Nativity scene:


Joseph

The Group (Sydney - Wiseman, Hunter - Shepherd, Hannah - Angel, Chloe - Mary)

Photo Editing Magic

Now that the holidays are over and the Christmas cards have been sent out, I can reveal the truth behind our happy looking family. (We are happy...but capturing it on camera can be difficult at times.) Here are what a couple of our pictures looked like before the editing process:

I took McKay's happy face from the second picture and placed it over his sad face in the first picture to get this one:

I almost used that first picture anyway. Here are more pictures from that day's photo shoot:


I am certainly glad for my computer and the ability to manipulate pictures. Yes, I love technology! Thanks to Kristin for her patience and taking these pictures for us.

A Couple of Gingerbread House Making Tips

Lick the frosting after piping to ensure a good seal.

Always have an extra pair of little hands help in applying delicate pieces.

Santa Claus Came to Town!

We had special visitors stop by on Monday night. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were in the neighborhood and were so nice to pay us a visit. At first, McKay was quite surprised and in awe to see a real-life Santa at our door, but after a few minutes he became quite shy and clingy. Santa tried to bribe him with a candy cane and marshmallows (his favorite), but it didn't work. We have a large Father Christmas figure that McKay hugs and kisses on a daily basis...McKay will even say, "Ho, ho, ho." I think it was too close to bedtime for much of a positive reaction...but it was still so much fun to have them (nicest people) stop by...we know they had a busy night making 24 stops in the neighborhood.

McKay's first time sitting on Santa's lap (different Santa) actually happened a few days earlier at our ward Christmas party. Maybe McKay knew something was fishy since the two Santas didn't look alike.

Transformation

BEFORE

AFTER

I was on a quest to find an old cheap desk to refinish for Red Mountain's (elementary school in Ivins) Jubilee of Trees entry. I searched everywhere in St. George before I enlisted the help of my fab sister, Holly. She found this beauty at the Catholic Thift Shop in Cedar. She was quite the negotiator and talked them down from $30 to $20. It was perfect! Our theme for the tree was "A Christmas Carol". It totally looked like a piece Scrooge would have.

I love the feeling of turning junk into treasure. The desk needed a lot of work and smelled yucky. After a little sanding, some hammering, adding wood putty and lots of painting I think it turned out quite nice. I was sad to part with it. I was trying to find a way to keep it, but the only way this desk could be mine would be to buy the tree....the last bid I saw tonight was at $1271! I'll always have pictures. Here is one of me saying my last goodbye:

Here's what it looked like next to the tree I helped decorate:


It looked a lot better in person. My flash kind of ruined the effect of the lighting.
Here's a closer picture:

One down with two to go!

We were invited to Alan's house for a delicious Thanksgiving feast with the Pearson family. Most of the family has other plans for Thanksgiving Day, so we were able to celebrate a little early. We missed Janet, Suzanne and their families.

Looking at it makes me hungry all over again. As good as it looked, it tasted even better!


The lineup.

Obviously it was too good to talk.

Two of my gorgeous nieces, Rachel and Katie.

McKay's favorite part was giving Maggie kisses through the window.