Christmas

Merry Christmas!

(even if it is a little late!)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday. We definitely did.

The highlight of Christmas for me was my darling Grandpa Hanson coming to visit. My birth father passed away when I was 17 months old, and this is his dad. Grandma and my Uncle Thom passed away last year, so he decided to spend last Christmas and this one with us. He has always been very special to me and I am so thankful to have been able to spend time with him.

The very sad thing that happened this year was that Sienna found out about Santa. Unfortunately, at an activity another girl said that her parents had told her the truth about Santa, and an adult said "that he's really your parents?" or something like that. She came home and started asking questions and was very distraught to say the least. She was sobbing and I was right along with her. I was so devastated when I found out as a child and I just felt so bad for her, remembering what it was like. We were hoping to at least have her still believe this year.

I do have to add that we told her that she could help us get the Santa gifts ready for the other kids, and help eat the cookies. It makes it more fun to be involved and she seemed to feel better about that.

We are so thankful for the beautiful Christmas season and the reminder of our Beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, and His life and sacrifices for us. We hope that the spirit of the season touched you all and that you had as beautiful of a holiday as we did.

Yes, my son's Santa gift was a toy kitchen. It's what he asked for. What can I say?

Sienna's Santa gift

Madelyn's shirt reads: "Yes we can, Obama '08"

My brother Paul thought that it would be hilarious to give to her for Christmas.

My brother, David, me and Grandpa, and Mad hiding in the background

(notice the Viva Lavida shirt from the fantastic Coldplay concert)