Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year!  I don't know why, but I really enjoyed it.  It was really nice having Christmas fall on a Sunday.  I loved going to church in the middle of the day.  It felt like a good thing to do on Christmas.  Too bad it doesn't happen every year.  And then it was really nice to have Jake home (mostly) the next day.

Christmas Eve was good.  We continued our tradition of Christmas Eve skiing.  There was a big storm this year so it was a little treacherous, but we were not about to miss our tradition.  Spjutes are taught at a young age that traditions are to be kept at all costs.  No matter what.  Even unto death.  And when we slid into the middle of the road with a bus 10 feet from us I thought it just might come to that.  Despite the near death experience and having to get pushed out of a parking spot we had a great time.  Really, these are the things that make traditions memorable and worthwhile.  Anyway, I let Sage set the table for a fancy dinner.  After that Jake pulled out his guitar and the kids were amazed at what Mom and Dad could do together.  We read, and watched, the nativity and shared thoughts about the Savior.  Another wonderful tradition.  And then we got to open the Christmas pajamas.  The kids are always so excited for these and Grandma Tracy never lets us down.

Before I go any further, I have to announce that we have officially entered a wonderful new era in the Jorgenson household.  This is the era of Zack assembling gifts, and its a Christmas miracle.  For reals.  For some reason Jake HATES, assembling toys of any kind.  Even he admits that his hatred is extreme.  So every time we have toys to assemble I brace myself for 'working words' and frustration.  This year there was none of that.  None!  Now, before you think we're horrible parents for making Zack assemble things during Christmas, let me assure you that he loves it.  Its like we're giving him an extra gift.  For reals.  There were a lot of gifts to be assembled this year, so thank heavens for Zack.  The girls got a huge american girl dollhouse.  And all of the kids got an air hockey table.  Zack and I assembled the doll house, and Zack assembled the air hockey table pretty much by himself.  Its the gift that keeps on giving.  Jake has decided that next year Zack should offer his services to others, for a fee of course.  So let us know if you'd like to be a recipient of Zack's assembly skills.

Back to Christmas.  The theme this year was 'things that will keep the kids busy and away from the tv'.  So we got an air hockey table, awesome laser tag, a basketball hoop (Zack still needs to assemble this), and a fun frisbee game.  The kids were all excited and sufficiently grateful.  Jake is working on mud room cabinets for my Christmas, but also managed to get me a nice ski coat.  What I got Jake has not been used yet, so I sense failure.  The agony.  After opening presents we got to go to church and remember what Christmas is really about.  Then we headed up to visit grandparents and cousins.  The perfect Christmas I think.  You'll just have to take my word for it because of course I didn't manage to take many pictures.  I must up my game in this area.  Merry Christmas and on to the new year!!

Sage and her BFF Kami

Skiing in the freezing cold while Jake and Kate were in Steamboat

Sage randomly came down dressed as a witch, with Snoopy tied on the back of the broom

Making graham cracker houses

Christmas Eve!

Huge doll house

The aftermath 

Christmas day plowing.  The family that plows together stays together...

Sledding fun