Christmas 2013

Christmas this year for us was low-key. The only traveling we did was within Utah county to see family. As much as I love traveling during the holidays like I did last year, it was nice to stay home this time around and let Mark enjoy his time off from work relaxing (and trying to recover from being sick). I pretty much failed to get any pictures Christmas Day or with Marks' side of the family. Regardless, here we go....

Christmas Eve got off to an early start when my mom and 2 of my sisters decided that it would be fun to utilize Kohl's 24-hours and go shopping at 1AM. My mom was headed to the airport to pickup my sister Brenda who was flying in from New York. Her flight got in at 11:15 and afterwards, my dad dropped them off at Kohls to meet me and my other sister Shelene there. (They left an extra car in the parking lot so they could get home). Shelene was working a night shift in Orem so it worked well for her to meet us after and get a few last minute things. We weren't sure if we should expect crowds or desolation. There were a few people in the store but overall, it was pretty empty. I think our laughter and fun increased as the night/morning grew later and we all became more exhausted. Almost 2 hours later, we finished our shopping and all headed home to crash. I believe I was in bed shortly before 3AM.

I got up around 8:30 and did some things around the house while I waited for my dad to come into town. We usually will grab breakfast and then hit up a few stores in the earlier hours before it gets too busy. This year we got a later start and neither of us had much to buy. So we grabbed lunch instead and stopped at Kmart for a few stocking stuffer items. With my parents both working new jobs and having pretty yucky commutes, I don't get to spend much time with them or see them a whole lot. So I was really grateful to get an hour or two both of them that day. 

Aunt Monica reading "I Believe in Santa Clause"

Christmas Eve (evening) we went over to Mark's brother's house for a  family dinner and decorated the Christmas tree we bought as a family a few days prior. Afterwards, we headed up to my sister Shelene's in Lehi to celebrate Christmas Eve with my family. With travel plans and work schedules, Christmas Eve was the only night my family would be able to be ALMOST all together. We mostly visited and the kids got to open presents from Grandma and Grandpa. There were also a few impromptu performances by the little kids of Christmas songs they had learned. The performance gene definitely has shown up in the Wyckhuyse grandkids.

Grandma reading "The Night Before Christmas" (we read this every Christmas Eve growing up)

Brighton loves to roughhouse---unfortunately Spencer wasn't so sure....

Aunt Cheriss got some bonding time in with Logan. He really was smiling just before I took this picture. 

6 of the currently 12 grandchildren...soon to be 13 and 14 this summer!

The 2 pregnant sisters. Me at 31 weeks and Monica about 12. My black top makes me look a little small. Better picture coming soon.  

Upon arriving home, 'Santa' came and filled our stockings. We even left a stocking out for "Embro", just in case Santa wanted to leave anything for him. We cheated and I convinced Mark we could open baby's stocking early. Inside Embro's stocking was a little electronic tambourine toy, socks and hats, goldfish (mom will have to eat those before he can so they don't go bad), and a little Yoda onesie as pictured below.

Perhaps the most overpriced onesie my son will wear. But I couldn't resist!

Hats and booties picked out by daddy himself! They have little dinosaurs on them.

Christmas day we had a little bit of our own Christmas with cinnamon rolls (another Our Best Bites success) opened stockings and then presents. Then we headed over to Mark's brother's again for leftovers for lunch and gifts. We spent a few hours with them and then finished up the afternoon/evening at my parents' house. It was a bit odd having practically no one there, but it was nice at the same time to have the evening to relax and visit. Everyone was too tired by the end to play games so while Mark napped on the couch, I just visited with my parents and sister. 

We enjoyed our low-key Christmas and hope you did too! We are already looking forward to next year getting to celebrate Christmas for the first time with our little guy. We also can't wait to see how he fits into an adorable Santa suit we got as a hand-me-down from Mark's cousin!