Merry Christmas Everyone :)

So Christmas is tomorrow, it's hard to believe isn't it? This year our little family decided to take it easy, easy in the sense that we aren't traveling to visit family this year. We were going to visit family in Tennessee (my parents, 2 sisters, and brother and their families are having x-mas there), but we decided last minute that it wasn't practical for us to make the trip. Yes, people should come first, especially at the holidays. However SANITY I think dictated our decision this year.  The reality of Jason starting school again in January, Jason completing the framing stage of finishing our basement, Jason's church calling as stake technology specialist, plus additional upcoming commitments that will be a little time consuming. Not to mention I would love to have the basement done (can you say TOY ROOM) by the time baby #3 comes, which will be in about 3 months (deep breath...). I am certainly not complaining, our family is blessed with so much and we are all healthy and happy. I think the phrase, "we don't want to bite off more than we can chew" might be a little too late, but this is why we decided to have Christmas in Chicagoland. Jason has had the week of Christmas off and has primarily been working on the basement. The basement is coming along pretty well. Jason has learned a lot while doing it (he isn't a handy man naturally, but his work ethic and willingness to learn always allows him to get the job done right. To be honest he has impressed me by the quality of his work as well. So that is what is new with us.

On a side note, it has been a lot of fun this Christmas season to see the kids, especially Tristen get excited about Santa Claus. Ok scratch the Santa Claus concept, Tristen doesn't want Santa to come to our house. Tristen is way more interested in Frosty the Snowman coming to visit our house. Frosty is her "favorite" , and I think it is due to the mild obsession she has had for the past month or two of watching the Frosty the Snowman video almost every day. Oh well, kids are kids. This year we are looking forward to continuing and starting new family traditions. It is so much fun to feel the excitement of Christmas through kids. I don't think that can ever get old. Anyways, our family wants to wish everyone a Merry and safe Christmas season. Below are some pics of Tristen and Blake from our Christmas card. I will post more pics of  Christmas hopefully soon.