Christmas

I love it when Christmas falls on a Sunday! I love going to church and having the opportunity to feel the Spirit and remember the true meaning of Christmas. This year, Hazel and I spent the day with my parents and attended church with them, since poor Cody had to work all day. We had a nice time with my family, though, and Hazel was spoiled rotten before we even got to our own celebration! Cody and I were spoiled, too.

Hazel in her Christmas dress.

Getting spoiled by all the Bentons. She got a "Fur-Real" cat from Burk and Kalli, a talking "Cooper" Bear and Book from Sam and Hill, a tea set and stuffed dog from Jake and Pants, and her own table and chair set from Boggy and Papa!

Cody had the week after Christmas off for vacation, so we celebrated with our little family on the 26th. Hazel is young enough that she really didn't know the difference. It turned out to be really nice because we got to stay home and enjoy our Christmas with Hazel, rather than rushing around all day.

We weren't sure if Hazel would really "get" the present thing, but she loved it and we had so much fun watching her discover her new toys and books. She was even excited about opening clothes and wanted to try on EVERY single thing. It was so funny. We also had to stop unwrapping to read each new book several times. When it was time for breakfast, she wheeled the new little stroller and dolly in and had them right next to her while she ate. What a great morning!

Hazel checking out her new kitchen. Her favorite feature was the phone.

The very first thing Hazel ran to was the doll and stroller. She loved her kitchen, too, but this is the toy that got the most attention all morning.

Pausing to read a new book with Daddy...

Trying on her new sweater.

Testing out her new table (from Bog and Papa) after Daddy put it together.

Later that afternoon, we headed over to Cody's parents' house to spend some time with the Christensen family. We were all spoiled once again!

Hazel loves her new shopping cart from Grandma and Grandpa Christensen.

We had such a great Christmas. As always, we missed Jake and his family, and it was our first year without Cody's Grandma Christensen and my Grandpa Gardner, so there were definitely some sad moments. However, I am so grateful to have so many people to love and so many wonderful Christmas memories with those that were not with us this year. Most of all, I am so grateful to have a loving Heavenly Father and that we have this time of year to celebrate the birth of His son.