It always seems like Christmas comes and goes so quickly each year, and this year was no exception!
We had all the kids except Kimber, Brett and baby Cheri together in Park City for 4 wonderful days.
We spend most of the day skiing and then squeeze in all the Christmas activities at night,
and sometimes it gets a little bit chaotic and crazy!
I try to balance everything but I often feel a little bit disorganized and overwhelmed,
trying to be on the hill with the family, not wanting to miss out on all the fun
and then attempting to be "Santa's helper" at night, getting Christmas ready.
And traveling and transporting gifts from California always get confusing.
In my mind, I seem to have it all together when I pack the presents,
but by the time I get to Utah, it's so confusing sorting through it all.
I usually can't find one or two of the presents...
this year it was the darling matching necklaces that I bought for all of girls back in September.
I'm hoping that they were accidently left behind in California
and just didn't make it into my suitcase or the kids car when they came out to visit. Sigh!
And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without one of the kids opening a gift that isn't theirs
because I put the wrong tag on it and was supposed to be to another one of the kids.
Luckily, my kids are patient with me and always tell me that it doesn't matter.
They always say that they don't even care about what they get or if they get presents,
that they are just glad that we are all together.
They are so sweet and patient but I'm starting to think that maybe they really mean it.
And that is why I'm writing this down, so that I can remember it next year.
It really doesn't matter what gifts are given or received.
It really is about the time spent together and the memories that are made.
And next year as I am busily shopping, packing and wrapping next year's Christmas,
if I keep this in mind, it will make my Christmas less stressful and more meaningful!
I know that it is cliche but Christmas really is about LOVE...
love for our Savior, and love for our family and friends.
And with that, I'd love to share our Christmas in Park City photos with you.
and sometimes it gets a little bit chaotic and crazy!
I try to balance everything but I often feel a little bit disorganized and overwhelmed,
trying to be on the hill with the family, not wanting to miss out on all the fun
and then attempting to be "Santa's helper" at night, getting Christmas ready.
And traveling and transporting gifts from California always get confusing.
In my mind, I seem to have it all together when I pack the presents,
but by the time I get to Utah, it's so confusing sorting through it all.
I usually can't find one or two of the presents...
this year it was the darling matching necklaces that I bought for all of girls back in September.
I'm hoping that they were accidently left behind in California
and just didn't make it into my suitcase or the kids car when they came out to visit. Sigh!
And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without one of the kids opening a gift that isn't theirs
because I put the wrong tag on it and was supposed to be to another one of the kids.
Luckily, my kids are patient with me and always tell me that it doesn't matter.
They always say that they don't even care about what they get or if they get presents,
that they are just glad that we are all together.
They are so sweet and patient but I'm starting to think that maybe they really mean it.
And that is why I'm writing this down, so that I can remember it next year.
It really doesn't matter what gifts are given or received.
It really is about the time spent together and the memories that are made.
And next year as I am busily shopping, packing and wrapping next year's Christmas,
if I keep this in mind, it will make my Christmas less stressful and more meaningful!
I know that it is cliche but Christmas really is about LOVE...
love for our Savior, and love for our family and friends.
And with that, I'd love to share our Christmas in Park City photos with you.
The morning before all the kids got in, the little girls hiked Murdoch Peak with their dad.
If you see Ashley, you should ask her how much fun that was:)!
But they did it and now they can both say that they climbed Murdoch Peak
and they don't have to ever do it again... unless they want to!
Justin and Allie are excited about their first ski day of the season.
Tyler and Sonya joined us early Saturday morning.
We were so glad that Sonya got the time off work so they could spend Christmas with us.
On Tombstone chairlift, heading to 9990 for the powder.
Sharing some sisterly love on the slopes.
We had lunch at Lookout Cabin at Canyons one afternoon.
It was the first time that these two have eaten there...
so we had to order the hot chocolate. It really is out of this world!
And Brooke thinks so too!
The gorgeous view out on the deck at Lookout Cabin.
Besties!
The family that day minus Ashley, who was at her roommate, Sydney's wedding in Salt Lake.
That night we all joined Ashley at Davis and Sydney's wedding reception in Salt Lake.
It was beautiful and Sydney looked absolutely stunning! What a fun celebration!
And how fun is it that Syd married their former roommate and dear friend, Kate's brother, Davis!?
Knowing and loving both families made it extra fun!
Kate and Ashley, darling bridesmaids!
And it wouldn't be a party without a lunging photo!
I really can't believe that Syd did a lunging pose in her wedding dress!
Only Syd could pull it off and still look fabulous!
Sure do love these two girls!
And more lunging poses from the bridesmaids.
The bride and groom cutting the cake.
I love this photo of these two. Syd is looking gorgeous as usual and Davis is making such a silly face!
Love those two kids and wish them all the happiness in the world!
Ashley sang "Dancing in the Moonlight,"
while Kate accompanied her on the guitar for Davis and Syd's first dance.
Love this photo for so many reasons!
And I got to run into my dear friend, Ruth Todd,
who is also good friends with both the bride and the groom's families!
What a small world!
After church, dressed in our Sunday best,
some of took photos in front of Vintage with our snowman.
My dear friend, Mary Holm and her cute girls, Amy and Breanna were in Park City with Mary's sister
for a few days so they came over to visit on Sunday afternoon.
It was really really wonderful to spend the afternoon with all of them,
especially at this time of the year, and for all of our girls to get to know each other better.
Love my dear friend Mary!
The Jensen family came up to visit that evening and while the boys watched the 49er game,
the girls were busy putting together a Christmas puzzle.
And here they are all smiles when it is finally all finished!
I first saw this puzzle on my friend Sue Jack's Instagram and instantly feel in love with it
and knew that I had to get it for the kids this year since we will be heading to NYC after Christmas!
The Jensen boys with Tyler and Dad.
Jacob will be leaving on his mission to Mexico City soon
so it was fun for Tyler to spend some time with him.
Every year we take the kids to Deer Valley for Christmas day
so that we can have Christmas lunch at the Empire Pass lodge.
This year we changed it up and decided with our schedule that we would go on Christmas Eve
and it was a powder day so we all got up extra early to catch the good snow.
Brooke is super happy about the new snow!
Our table at lunchtime with all the yummy food!
We are all super happy about the incredible food at Empire Pass Lodge. Yum!
After lunch, we came out and it was snowing like crazy
so we had to stop and get some fun pictures!
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