Tis the Season.... to be stressed out

Christmas is just around the corner and so the calendar has been filling up with community events. church activities and family things to go to. Don't get me wrong- I love it, but we've had a busy week. And things are only getting busier. Yesterday Chris, Tanner, and I drove to Marshall (about an hour away) for the annual National Guard Christmas dinner (which was actually a lunch). While we were there Santa came to visit, so Tanner got to meet Santa for the first time. He wasn't too sure about that big white thing hanging off his chin. It was really funny to watch Tanner's expressions.

Tanner and Santa getting acquainted
On Friday, our town had the annual "Tree lighting and Christmas parade." We went to that, after grabbing a few hot chocolates to keep our hands from freezing. Tanner spent most of the parade bundled up in his car seat. He woke up once to eat, but his bottle wasn't "just the right temperature" so he didn't want it.

Here is our family freezing at the parade. Its a great tradition that I really look forward to each year.

Chris and I with our hot chocolates- it was so cold!
Then we headed off to the EQ bonfire. We ate a few hot dogs and then decided despite being next to the fire, it was too cold- so we took off.

Tanner all bundled up in his car seat, on our way to the bonfire.

Also this week we've been working extra hard on "tummy time" with Tanner. He really hates being on his tummy. But I discovered he really loves the TV. So I put him on his tummy on the boppy and turn on a movie and he's content to lay there holding his head up for about 15 mins, sometimes more. Its awesome.

Tanner is all smiles when the TV is on.

My tv junkie!

I've been working on our stockings this week too. Correction- I worked on Tanner's stocking this week. I spent one day this past week working on our stockings, but between Tanner, and the laundry, grocery shopping and everything else- I only got Tanner's done. Here it is.

Tanner's first stocking

Oh and we finally got our tree up. YAY. I decorated our house on Monday, but we didn't get our tree up until yesterday. Now all we have left to do are our lights for the house. Someday we might be all done. It just gets dark way to early these days. Its hard to get things done outside.
Here is our tree.



We couldn't have gotten one any taller, our ceilings aren't that tall. We were lucky the one we got wasn't too tall.

Here are some other funny pictures of Tanner from this week. This kid just cracks me up.

Tanner banged his head into my cheekbone, but it took a little while to register that it hurt. His little face is so sad- and this is the reason I can't stand to hear him cry. It just breaks me heart. Luckily, usually kisses make it all better.

Aunt Laura was rocking Tanner to sleep, but she ended rocking herself to sleep too. Tired kids!

Tanner laughing. Oh yeah- he started laughing and its so funny because sometimes he'll start laughing and then he'll stop and try to start again and he acts like he forgot how. Its so funny.

My chunky baby- Tanner laying on his tummy with his big belly hanging out.


I've been thinking a lot about Christmas this past week, mostly because I was doing all my shopping for family and friends- which I finished by the way- big relief. But while I was stressing over what to get everyone, I couldn't help but wish for a simpler solution to all this Christmas stress. When did Christmas get so commercialized? Why do we feel the need to give tons of expensive gifts? I feel like the best way to celebrate the birth of our Savior is not by making department stores richer, but by finding small and simple ways to serve and love each other.
So I've made a goal for this Christmas season to try and do some small act of service for someone each day until Christmas. I feel like this will help me remember the true meaning of Christmas. Because really- if we are going to celebrate the birth and life of the son of God, what better way then by trying to be more like him. I've also decided to make up some kind of "12 days to learn the True meaning of Christmas" packet for years to come. I'm not really sure what it will be yet, but I want something to remind my family in future years about the Savior and his birth instead of presents and stuff. Let me know if you have any ideas. I'd really appreciate it.
I hope everyone will be able to slow down this holiday season and treasure those around you and your Savior. Since that's what this whole season is really about.

My nativity helping me focus this Christmas season!