Our Family of 3: Christmas!!!

We arrived in Brentwood just before Grandma and Grandpa had to leave to go back home. (They had been visiting my parents for a couple weeks.) This is the only picture we snagged with them before they had to leave...another early morning picture on our way out the door to drive to the airport. Wish I would have gotten more!

Soon after our arrival to Brentwood, the Christmas festivities began! During the week prior to Christmas we frosted a million sugar cookies as is tradition in the Rudd household and we made gingerbread houses with the Evans as is tradition in their family. I love traditions and am excited to keep up some from each of our families.

This year we did Christmas Eve at the Rudd home. This included our simple dinner of crackers, cheese, and sausage, fruit salad, veggie tray, pumpkin pie, and lots of treats!

One of my favorite treats are the doughnuts from the Olsons that they bring us on Christmas Eve...such a fun treat!

We also do our Christmas program...I attempted to play the piano but Dad got out his I-pad to help things along. Some of the primary songs Mom and I just sang together...in our Christmas socks! Such a fun program and I love doing it every year!

Growing up we were never allowed to open presents on Christmas Eve. However, in Jeremy's family they always open one present. (Christmas jammies) Mom and Dad were sweet and let us keep that tradition even though they didn't open one. (What will power they have!)

Kody was being very photogenic and getting in all the pictures!

Last year we went old school with matching top and bottoms. This year we went a little more new school with the work out pants sort of thing.

I love me some stretchy pants that fit great on my ever growing belly!

CHRISTMAS MORNING

I had been planning Jeremy's Christmas since about June. I figured since we are going to be poor students for a long time and we are starting to have kids and will probably end up focusing a lot more on them as far as presents go, why not get one last big present? Jeremy has been saving his pennies (literally) for a new surfboard for a long time. Well I worked with the guy who Jeremy got his last board from, had everybody who wanted to pitch into the fund, (hence all the money he received for his birthday instead of presents) and put it out from Santa and the Elves. Of course Jeremy had an inkling (like always), but he was still pretty surprised! It was such a stressful gift, because I wanted to get it exactly right, but it turned out to be such a fun surprise!

The Reveal

After stockings and Santa presents we headed to the tree to open presents. I think I will always feel like a kid on Christmas morning. There is nothing like it. I like to take our time and make it last.

Beautiful picture of the Oakland temple just like Mom and Dad Rudd's. Can't wait to hang it in our new home!

A few things for Baby Evans!

Kody really got into it too this year!

Jer's really excited about his signed Duke shirt and new board shorts to match his board!

Mom and Dad with presents from us!

Exhausted!

CHRISTMAS at the EVANS

I'm kicking myself that I don't have any pictures from Christmas at the Evans house! We headed over to their house in the late afternoon and enjoyed the evening with Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa Passey. We opened presents, had a yummy dinner, and just hung out and enjoyed Christmas!

Christmas Photo Shoot

I had every intention of sending out Christmas cards this year but it didn't happen. However my sweet dad did take some pictures of our growing family that I thought I'd add them for the memories. Some of our ideas were a bust but they all make me smile! :)

Idea 1: Hey Jer, let's wrap ourselves in Christmas lights and take pictures with the lights off!

Jeremy must really love me!