Christmas 2015.

Christmas is the most magical, wonderful time of year and this year was no exception. As a parent, the entire Christmas season can be overwhelming, but the excitement of having a child during Christmas makes it so special and so worth it. 

We were fresh off our Arizona high (literally arrived back in Pocatello just hours before) and headed straight to my parents for the annual Sargent Christmas Kickoff. This event continues to become one of our most favorite family traditions, and this year did not disappoint. The Kickoff was filled with the usual jammies, treats, and presents, followed by a special video to give a sweet reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. We absolutely love spending time with family, and we're so grateful to have parents that make it a priority to get us all together often.

The first days of december were filled with the nostalgic task of decorating the house to welcome in the cozy holiday spirit. Ellisyn was the most adorable helper. She was thrilled about every little Christmas detail, and I knew then that she has that deep love for Chrstimas just like her grandma great. The Fisher-Price nativity was gifted at the Christmas Kickoff, and it was definitely our favorite addition to our growing decor collection.

December was filled with so many fun new and old activities that we like to enjoy each year. First, city league basketball began for Daniel. Ellisyn is definitely her dad's biggest, and cutest, fan. She loves cheering for him, but the buzzer scares her to pieces every. single. time. 

We took a quick trip to Salt Lake City to see the beautiful Christmas lights on Temple Square this year, and they were just as incredible as always. It was so fun to see Ellisyn experience them for the first time, and she hasn't stopped talking about it since. After walking Temple Square we, of course, had to go to the Utah Jazz basketball game. Ellisyn was thrilled with the entire experience. She really loved eating her hotdog and watching the Jazz bear.

A new tradition that Ellisyn was able to participate in this year was with Grandma and Grandpa Sargent. They came and picked her up one evening for a special "Christmas date" which consisted of a Wendy's kid's meal and decorating her very own gingerbread man. This was the perfect date for Ellisyn with two of her most favorite people. It makes me so happy to see the relationship and memories she is creating with her grandparents. I hope she always knows how lucky she is to be loved by them. 

Ellisyn's cousin, Colton, gets to have a December birthday and it certainly adds to all the excitement surrounding the holidays. We got to go to Lava Hot Pools to celebrate his birthday. It was Ellisyn's first time, and she thought it was pretty fun! 

Daniel and I also braved the world of potty training the week before Christmas. As daunting as it seemed, Ellisyn caught on so quickly and pleasantly surprised us. She was pretty much potty trained after one weekend and completely trained after about a week.

This year was our second year borrowing the daycare 15-passenger van to tour the Christmas lights of Pocatello with our family. It was an evening filled with laughter from getting stuck in the snow, to hiding the car from my dad, to crying children, and finally ended by going through the McDonald's Drive Thru for 10 breakfast sandwiches. It was certainly a night to remember, and we're all pretty excited to do it again next year.

Ever since I was a kid, my siblings and I would draw names for our Christmas Eve gift exchange. It was always a fun tradition, but it started to become more difficult to keep up on with our growing family. Our solution was to have a 'grown-ups only' Christmas party. We played games, ate treats, and had a white elephant-like gift card exchange. It turned out to be so much fun!

Santa Claus was a huge hit with Ellisyn this year! She was interested in everything about Santa, and loved seeing him every where we went. She got to sit on Santa's lap at Daniel's work, the mall, our ward party, and outside of Fred Meyer and each time she would ask Santa to bring her "doll stuff". She paid attention to every detail about Santa Claus. One Santa Claus that we saw was not wearing glasses and Ellisyn noticed immediately. She quickly said, "He must have his contacts in today". Ellisyn is too smart sometimes, but that's why we love her so much!

Princesses are a big deal at our house, and Ellisyn's loved wearing her princess christmas dress to church. She loved flaunting it to all of her teachers and friends, and we loved how cute and festive she looked!

Grandma and Grandpa Spicer weren't able to be with us on Christmas, but they came to visit right before and spoiled us rotten. Ellisyn was in dress up heaven and we couldn't be more grateful for the love and support they continually give our little family.

A few days before Christmas, Ellisyn dressed up in her Olaf costume and delivered candy canes to some of our favorite people and places. Her first stop was Electrical Wholesale where Grandpa Sargent works. Next, we went to the Treehouse Daycare to give my previous preschool class some candy canes, too. Ellisyn quickly realized that it is just as much fun to give as it is to receive!

Before we knew it, Christmas Eve arrived and we were all filled with excitement. We met our whole family at none other than McDonald's for dinner. Uncle Ryan and Aunt Brandi gave the kids hats, glow sticks, and air horns to use the following morning. After dinner, we had the opportunity to do a secret santa for a local family. It was such a humbling experience and I think we could have forgone Christmas the next day and lived off of the wonderful feelings we got from serving our fellow man. We are so blessed and so loved by our Savior that I can't think of anything better than serving others to celebrate His birth.

Christmas was dreamy. We woke up and watched with pure delight as Ellisyn enjoyed her goods from Santa. Luckily, he brought her everything she asked for and more. We then spent the day at Grandma and Grandpa Sargent's house eating delicious food, opening presents, and playing in the snow. December was such a fun and memorable month, and it makes me realize why we get so excited for it every year. There is nothing more perfect than spending time with the ones you love celebrating our Savior, Jesus Christ.