Everything Evans: 2019

Naughty Eddie toilet papered the Christmas tree for Christmas Eve. He does this every year...

See all that crazy energy up there? We went on a walk to try and get some of it out.

Then we came back for more puzzling and movie watching.

The rest of the family came over that night for dinner while we watched our traditional Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert from the year before. It was amazing as usual!

So was the egg nog.

We decorated cookies.

And played games.

Then it was time for the nativity.

Isaac the shepherd was sore afraid.

What an angelic angel we had!

I love this tradition. Even when it gets silly we can still feel the spirit as we listen to the Christmas story and sing songs of our Savior.

Then it was time for hot chocolate and Tim Tam Slams.

And Christmas Eve pajamas.

Emma and Grace looked darling in their deer onesies.

Isaac LOVED his Chewbacca onesie, so it was a huge bummer that it didn't fit. He's just getting too tall! He tried to be happy about it, but he just couldn't hold the sadness in.

He rebounded for reindeer food.

Grace played a piano solo for us.

And then it was time for bed. I thought I had a Superman onesie as a back up for Isaac, but I couldn't find it (of course, I found it after Christmas). I also had a giraffe one that he ended up liking, so he went to bed happy as a giraffe in his onesie. It wasn't Chewbacca, but it was still a onesie. Santa came and everything was ready for Christmas morning.

Everybody was excited on Christmas morning! We started with prayer, we read The Living Christ and opened our gifts to Jesus Christ before heading downstairs.

After checking out their Santa gifts and stockings, the search was on for the pickle.

Dad found it so he was the first to open a present.

Before the craziness started I made them take a picture in their onesies since Isaac was happier this time around!

Then the opening began!

Isaac and Grace got a trip to Great Wolf Lodge.

Grace gave me the cutest and most meaningful ornaments. I love them!

We basked in the happy feelings and fun of Christmas morning until we got hungry for breakfast.

Cinnamon knots of course!

We got to talk with Elder TyTy for a bit.

We also worked on a hard puzzle.

Then we went up to Granny and Grandpa's house and opened presents there.

Then we went on to Grandma Dorothy's house for dinner and games. We played our new game Cover Your Assets and loved it!

What a good day.

The day after Christmas is one of my favorites, especially when we can just relax and enjoy each other and new presents.

We watched a Christmas movie while Emma wrapped the Christmas books for next year.

And played games and more toys.

Thursday brought a little bit of real life. Emma went to the dermatologist/allergist and to the dentist. She and I also went shopping. The twins both had basketball practice that night.

I love getting and making new ornaments this year. These are the ones that Grace and I made.

Isaac and I finally got to work refinishing the desk we found for him at a garage sale in the summer. I was sick of it being in the garage!

Grace had a basketball game and was thrilled to have Granny, Grandpa, and Kaitlin there.

We played Skull King again that night. We like it!

We made dinner plans with the crew for Saturday night. The suggestions for activities after dinner were pretty par for this group!

Isaac's desk was coming along. I love the blue! So does Isaac.

We saw Mary Poppins Returns in the theater. We all enjoyed it.

Then we went to dinner with our friends and played the promised games. Everybody loved Cover Your Assets and we played it several times.

We love these friends!

On Sunday night we burned our gingerbread house. A new, much-anticipated tradition. I really hope the neighbors didn't hear our "the neighbors are next, the neighbors are next" chant. Don't ask.

It's pretty mesmerizing to watch!

Monday morning, New Years Eve, we slept in a bit and cuddled in bed. Is there anything better??

Lee went golfing with the guys later that morning. Emma had to go to the allergist that day, but we had to take off the allergy tests earlier in the day because she had a lifeguard recertification class. It was so crazy, kind of fascinating to see the reactions.

Isaac and I worked on finishing his dresser.

We celebrated the coming of the new year at the Hawkins' house along with the Poe's, Haycock's, Reed's and Wilcox's. Such a great group of people and we had fun eating, talking and playing games.

We thought this picture looked like the men were having a council.

We celebrated the new year along with another country and went home before midnight.

We toasted the new year at home a little early, and then called it a night. Emma went to Zoo Lights with Lauryn and Kaitlyn and was having fun with them.