A Holly Jolly Christmas 2008

How many Christmas get togethers can you take in the space of four days? Well, I don't know about you, but I am up to a grand total of six, and loving every minute of every one. Here are a few of the highlights.

Christmas fun started off at Grandma Heidi and Grandpa Bob's house on Christmas Eve Eve (the 23rd), where Hayley received her much anticipated and possibly favorite present of a bike. I say much anticipated because she actually found this present about a month ago. She did not forget about it like my mom thought she would. At least you don't have to hide it from my nosy little wanderer anymore, Mom!

The next evening was spent at Grandma and Grandpa Bachman's house. We were grateful to have Jeremy's entire family in town. Hayley was so excited to see all of her favorite cousins: Peyton, Zekie, Isaac, and Baby Caleb. Sadly, Baby Ryker was still blowing away the nurses with his cuteness, and they decided to keep him at the hospital over Christmas Eve.

Peyton and Hayley

After being up so late on Christmas Eve, we all slept in until I had to wake Hayley up 8:45 and remind her that it was Christmas. Indeed, Santa had visited our house the night before, but all Hayley was interested in was the toy cleaning set she received the night before from Grandma and Grandpa Bachman. It took some convincing to get her stop sweeping and vacuuming with her new toys, and come check out what Santa left in her stocking.

After opening gifts at home, Jeremy headed to work (bummer) and Hayley and I headed to my dad's house. She added some more darling presents to her stash, teased her Aunt Stacey mercilessly with no hugs, and had some quality time with Grandpa Dame.

After that, we all ventured out in the snowstorm to head to Aunt Marilyn's for the Dame Family Christmas Party. The immaculate spread of food was worth the wait, plus Hayley picked out one of the best white elephant gifts (a giftcard to WalMart), and posed for this great photo with her great-grandma, also known as "Grandma Dame with the white, white hair."

From there we headed to the Wright Party, where Hayley cheerfully helped her cousins shovel snow, until she was soaking wet and blissfully happy. I was pretty tired by this point in the day, so my apologies for no pics of this cute event.

Last, but not least, on the 26th, a going away party for my friends Kelley and Mark, and their darling MaKell, that Hayley was so excited to go play with. We will miss them very much, but wish them luck on their newest adventure!

So, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a... crapload of snow, apparently, if you are in Utah. But try to have a good night also!