Christmas Memories

I'm one of those slightly (very) dorky mortal beings who, with gleeful enthusiasm, ceremoniously brings out the Christmas CDs on the day after Halloween. In point of fact, I tune in to the holiday classic tunes at various points throughout the year as well. After all, Karen Carpenter, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra deserve an attentive audience more often than just in December, right? It's actually intriguing in the scorching heat of the summer season to hear songs about just "letting it snow". This line of conversation leads into the fact that I simply adore Christmas. I love the music obviously, but also the snow, the baking, the shopping, the crowds, the lights, the commercials, the movies (we watched 17 of them), and most of all, the sublime magic in the air. It's glorious to participate in such Christmas traditions as...

Beautifying and embellishing the tree with ornamental accessories...

Showing off our gingerbread architectural and construction skills, as well as our praise-worthy interior and exterior design work...

And Santa Claus, himself, had the supreme honor of actually meeting the famed, the renown, the esteemed...Summer Simon - who displayed true mercy and fortitude to grace him with her very presence.

One word: Tickets. Two words: David Archuletta. Three words: Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Four more words: The best concert ever! Enough said.

No, this is not the Burning Bush you are beholding, so do not attempt to observe and identify Moses in the background. This is the spectacular lights display at Temple Square in Salt Lake City! T'would not be Christmas without viewing them!

Yes, the night was a bit frosty and Siberian in nature, but proper bundling and cousin snuggling always warm the bones and heart.

Christmas Eve jammies!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

...in hopes that Saint Nicholas would bring something staggeringly stupendous! A first class Barbie Townhouse with sleek design should do the trick...

...which proves that the best part of Christmas for us, were the twinkle lights in Summer's eyes as she excitedly opened her presents and felt the love we all have for her in shockingly overwhelming abundance. :)