Christmas Season

Oh how I LOVE the Christmas Season. We had a nice end to 2011. Being together with the ones we love is the best part about this season. Here's a few things we did throughout December...

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Benedict Family Christmas Party

Zach's family knows how to throw a Christmas party...tons of great food, a lot of people, and a visit from Santa! There were actually quite a few family members from Zach's mother's side that I had never met. It was fun to mingle and get to know everyone. 

My handsome man and his dad. I think they look so much alike. 

All the kids loved hanging out with Santa! I had to tell him what I wanted for Christmas too. ;)

We're nerdy and dressed up in matching Christmas colors for the party.

I always enjoy watching Zach interact with little kids. I know he'll be a great dad. His chance to prove that is coming soon!

Miss mia and cute little Itsy-Bitsy! That cute little puppy will be staying with us while Zach's parents are in Texas for Christmas.

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Tepanyaki
We got together with our fabulous friends for dinner. It was great. Our chef dude was pretty funny. I love the food there. Their sweet noodles are so good.

Love these girls.

Shannon's hub, Chris, had to work...we missed him that night.

Allie and Jon with there adorable new baby Carter! He's so squishy and cute.

Cookin' up the great food!

I loved snuggling with baby Carter. He's a cutie.

Great dinner. Thanks for organizing it, Sara!

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Christmas Eve

Steve and Sandra hosted Christmas at their house this year. They always get pretty big Christmas trees. It makes the room smell so good. Love that. We threw the entire family's gifts under the tree. There were quite a lot. We had a nice dinner, opened up one gift per person, had a Christmas message by my parents, and then played a few games. It was fun. I love being with family.

Our baby Madison was kicking a lot. She's excited for Christmas too! :)

Their second Christmas together as a couple, and first Christmas being married.

Now that Natalie's a year older from last Christmas, it was so much fun watching her open gifts and enjoy the excitement.

Phil and Kelsey joined us later that night after they spent part of Christmas Eve with Kelsey's family.

Getting ready to eat dinner.

Traditionally, we open one gift on Christmas Eve and it's usually PJs. We didn't do that for the adults this year, but Natalie got a cute new pair!

She loves to play "mommy" with her dolls. She wraps them in blankets just like her mom did to her. So cute.

Zach has had several people tell him he looks like Michael Hall, main actor on the TV show Dexter. His co-workers gave him a collector's item Dexter doll for Christmas. Funny! 

We opened up a cute new outfit for our baby Maddie from my mom! It was surreal. I can't believe she'll be here in a little over a month!

"Pappa" reading her stories.

We all want a piece of Natalie...we fight over who gets to hold her and play with her. Oh the perks to being the first grandchild!!

We played games for the rest of the night. It was hilarious. My brothers are so funny.
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Christmas Morning
We were up and out of bed ready to tear open the gifts at the crack of dawn...not really through, more like 9:30am.

The puppies celebrated with us too! I always make them wear stupid Christmas outfits. :)

Ready to bust open the gifts!

Sandra revamped this trike for Natalie with stickers and vinyl lettering. So cute!

Love the excitement!

Munching on Sandra's delicious Christmas morning cinnamon rolls.

Boys and their gaming systems...slightly obsessed. 

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Diamond earrings from Dad!

Diamond earrings from Steve!!

My mom bought me a "mother's ring" with February's birth stone in honor of the month my new baby girl will be born...well, lets hope it's February. :) She might not come until early March. It was beautiful. I loved it! She got one for Sandra too when she was pregnant with Natalie.

All ready for church in her pretty Christmas dress.

The puppies love playing in the snow. They enjoyed Christmas too. :)
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Phil and Kelsey's Wedding
We celebrated the marriage of my youngest brother, Phil, on December 28th. They were sealed in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It was great. More pics of that to come later!

Love my siblings.