Christmas 2017

We had the best Christmas this year. We toyed with the idea of traveling but opted to stay home. I wanted a cozy Christmas at home for Tessa's first Christmas and the first one in our house, and that was exactly what we got. It was simple and perfect. 

 Andre had the Friday before Christmas off so we beat the cold and went swimming. Tessa did awesome for her first time and was so cute. Rhett was a maniac and a pro at the kids' slide--I guess those swim lessons are paying off!

 Saturday we took a ride on the Santa Train! I was nervous when I saw the forecast for snow in the mountains, but it was just snow-globing and made the whole thing into a winter wonderland!

Seriously so beautiful. Rhett loved looking out the window on the ride. 

 And then Santa came on board! He spent half the ride in our car talking to all the kids and families. 

 Santa and Tessa loved each other. 

 Santa showing Rhett his special key to the gates of the North Pole. Andre also realized his goal for retirement is to become a train Santa. 

 After the train before the cookies and hot cocoa. Rhett loved it, despite what his face says. (He also peed his pants right before he got on board and of course we didn't have any extra clothes so he was wet the whole ride. Sorry Santa!)

 Then it was Christmas Eve and a beautiful Sunday after it snowed the night before. These kids were killing it in their festive wear. Tessa's sparkly shoes!

 Our friends cancelled last minute for Shepherd's Dinner so it was just us, but it was simple and nice. Rhett seemed to really understand the concept and loved being able to eat on the floor. 

 Christmas pajamas!

 We tracked Santa all day on Christmas Eve (seriously one of my favorite Christmas traditions with kids) and then left out chocolate chip cookies we had specially made for Santa (one of the Santas we met earlier this month said they were his favorite). Rhett carefully put out four carrots for the reindeer to share. 

 Christmas morning! Tessa was mesmerized by the lights on her stocking. 

 We were dying over this mini mermaid tail Natalie made for Tessa. So cute! 

 ...and this is how we spent the rest of the day. Besides eating, having family over, and talking with missionary Shane. The remote control Darth Vader car from Santa is clearly the favorite present. 

We ended the night at the Engstroms for Reagan's blessing. Look at these two--6 weeks and 6 months and basically the same size! We have a similar picture from when Avery and Rhett were babies.

All in all, a cozy, perfect Christmas. Such a fun time of year!

Christmas celebrations

Christmas is in two weeks! I think our kids are the perfect ages for Christmas this year--Rhett is so into it and gets excited about everything, and there's just something magical about a baby's first Christmas. I sat down in November to schedule the month so we don't miss any festive fun, and we've been doing lots of fun things lately!

 Building gingerbread houses at Home Depot. Rhett was very proud of his handiwork.

 Meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus at the library. A fantastic event with no lines, crafts, and fun treats for the kids.

 Rhett found us the perfect Christmas tree. In the King Soopers parking lot because we're classy like that.

 This is our first year getting a real tree, and we love the smell and ambiance, but getting it to stand straight was a nightmare. And then the tree fell over after we decorated it and some of my favorite childhood ornaments broke. I'm still mourning. So now it's propped up with cardboard under the tree skirt and no one is allowed to touch it, but darn it, we have a real tree!

 We've been getting more into #LighttheWorld this year, and Rhett has been awesome about it. Here he is dropping off a toy he picked out for the toy drive.

Preschool Christmas concert. Highly entertaining. 

Santa's Village at Winterfest where it was 65 degrees and we were sweating. I watched so many kids try to climb into the little house. 

 Our Relief Society Christmas party with so much soup and bread and so many songs I had to play on the piano at the last minute. But it was good and the spirit was there.

 Cufflinks craft shows! Rhett is learning the family business young.

 Putting Christmas lights up on our house! This was a moment of pure adulthood/manhood for Andre. (And I'm glad my dad was there to logistical support--ladder on the sloped driveway made me nervous!)

Rhett, the cheesy helper. 

Not Christmas related, but Nana and Poppy finished their mission! They stopped for the weekend on their trek west, and the kids were in heaven. 

christmas 2016

The Kaisers took over Utah this Christmas for a week of fun-filled family time. It was super relaxing--games, snacks, and chatting all day with only a few outings and lots of snuggles with baby Maura (except for me and the dang cold I had all week). It was nice to slow down after a busy year. And bonus! André got to join us for a long weekend that didn't even use any vacation days, though his flight was delayed til 2am--let's not talk about that. 

On to Christmas highlights!

Rhett thought the lights at Temple Square were magical--alll the lights, the temple, and shoulder rights from alternating uncles? The best combination for a three-year-old boy. 

 Cookies for Santa. Tracking Santa all Christmas Eve was serious business for Rhett. 

Matching pajamas. Rhett was obsessed with his first Kaiser cousin Maura. And fun fact! These pictures weren't taken on Christmas day, but the afternoon of Christmas Eve before the dumping of snow for our white Christmas. 

christmas 2015

This Christmas was magical. Rhett is at such as fun age to understand a lot of what is going on and to get excited about all the festivities. We wanted to stay home and start our own family traditions, and luckily we convinced my parents to come to Boulder. We were in heaven with Nana and Poppy here and enjoyed a great weekend together. Highlights!

We had our first official Kaiser Shepherd's Dinner on Christmas Eve. We ate simple shepherd food on the floor (André nixed dressing up) and read the Christmas story. Rhett took good care of his plastic sheep, but it soon turned into a car driving session.

Christmas Eve Pajamas and toddler sass

Our proud parenting moment came from the play kitchen. We found the old hutch and then refinished it and added a sink, burners, and hooks. Basically, we're starting our DIY Network show soon.

Rhett was obsessed with the kitchen. We took a long break from opening presents so he could make food for everyone. 

We visited the Butterfly Pavilion, where Rhett loved the fish, bugs, and butterflies. 

Whenever we talked about Nana and Poppy coming, Rhett said all he wanted to do with them was play cars, read books, and take a nap. We definitely spent a lot of time doing all three things. 

A trip to the candy factory that ended with "candy cans" for everyone! 

We loved every minute of Christmas, even though we are still recovering. Now on to New Years!

pre-Christmas festivities

Between crazy work hours, law school finals, and a week of sickness, Christmas is definitely sneaking up on us. The good news is that Rhett totally gets Christmas this year--he is obsessed with Christmas trees, lights, and baby Jesus. Here's a little of the pre-holiday fun we've been able to sneak in:

Rhett was a champ for Santa. The kid will do anything "scary" if he's promised a cookie afterwards. It didn't hurt to have the nicest Santa, no line, and delicious treats at a random bank.

Taking advantage of the 60 degree weather this week with a stroll to see the Boulder lights.

We're always travelling for Christmas, so this is our first Christmas tree in five years of marriage. It was a blast from the past to see ornaments from my childhood. Rhett can't stop staring at the tree, especially his new Christmas Thomas ornament (to the right of his head).

Trying to teach Rhett the real meaning of the season--he's more into the animals, but at least we're trying?