Christmas 2011

This year was Clara's second Christmas.  Remember last year?  We had an awesome Christmas in the hospital with our sweet new little baby girl who still didn't have a name.

This year Clara was a bit more animated and actually got some gifts.  Christmas was on a Sunday, which I thought was fantastic.  It was a little more difficult to coordinate beween families, but I was so pleased to be able to go to church, see friends, sing beautiful Christmas hymns with a large congregation and hear uplifting messages about the peace that we can find through the Savior.  We came home, had a snack and Clara settled in for a nap.  We didn't actually get to "Christmas morning" (ie opening gifts) until almost 3:00 in the afternoon.  Sometimes the magic of Christmas ends in a pile of wrapping paper and an afternoon of post-holiday blues.  But the slower pace of our Christmas meant the whole day felt special and sweet.

When Spencer asked me on December 23rd what I wanted for Christmas, I was a bit worried.  But he came through and insisted that my gift be one of the first to be opened.  Smart guy, because with my sweet new lens, I was able to capture some of the magic of Christmas in just the way I had hoped - with  a fast 1.8 aperture.

Finger puppets!  She learned three new animal sounds that very morning.

Daddy showing Clara "The Little Book of Clara" that Santa left in his stocking.  Clara clings to her favorite new outfit.

Taking a break from presents for a hug.

Clara got some blocks for Christmas.

Spencer got a new toy that will be fun for he and Clara.  If it ever snows, we may have to take Clara on her first snowshoeing adventure this year.

Spencer trying on Clara's birthday hat for size.  Not sure if she's amused...

Testing out her new swing for one of our big trees outside!

After opening gifts, we headed up to my parents house where we met up with Spencers parents and Carol Diane for a nice Christmas dinner.  We exchanged gifts and enjoyed a merry evening together.  What a wonderful day we had reflecting on the birth of the Savior.  It made it all the more lovely to share the festivities with people we love.