It was the most wonderful time of the year

Let's pretend it's not too late to post about CHRISTMAS!!

(2015 that is.)

This was a memorable Christmas because Richard just started working at

Center for Space Nuclear Research

and is in the Idaho National Laboratory's

Energy Innovations Lab.

Anyway... the point is that we were really excited he got the job, 

and then he came home to tell me since he just started, 

he has ZERO vacation time saved up.

Oh, haha.

We didn't think about that. 

So we left the day before Christmas Eve, 

(or Christmas Eve Eve for you nerds out there)

It was actually exciting to get there just before Christmas

just like the movies.

Then Richard had a mandatory holiday the week between 

Christmas and New Year's

Vegas usually has wonderful lights every where anytime of year,

but Christmas lights just have a special glow to them, right?!

(And this actually isn't anywhere near the Strip. It's at a TJ Maxx.)

haha. Tricked ya, fooled ya.

Fist time for Britta to meet this POSH Returned Missionary she keeps hearing about!

Christian just returned from the Manchester England Mission.

And of course we are spending Christmas Eve dinner at Macayo's.

Christmas Eve presents!

(I love that EVERY YEAR the kids are clueless as to what they will be,

and they are ALWAYS pajamas.)

Ok, occasionally we throw in slippers.

Britta just used hers to whack Mitchell in the head.

And then we have the famous Nativity re-enactment.

Joseph dragging Mary on a broomstick horse.

Some strange birthing scene...

And then the Mother Mary swaddling the new born babe she can barely lift.

Who can forget the Sunday Christmas attire.

And since there isn't one good shot,

we will just give you a compilation...

Why is someone always looking away?!

And why is it usually the OLDEST kid?

And that's all she's got...

"Seriously, I can't STAND it anymore!"

"ok, poor phrasing...

I don't want to sit either!"

Grandma got the girls matching dresses for Christmas also.

I can't get enough of this!!

I love Christmas and I love my family.

This year was a good one for sure.

We played board games FOR DAYS,

we ate the BEST FOOD of my life,

we LAUGHED until the wee hours of the morning,

and once again we were blessed to be with the people we LOVE MOST!

Merry Christmas 2015