Christmas Day Stuff

Christmas Day starts early around here. No matter how hard I try to sleep in I am always up and at it before I should be! This year I woke up at 6:30 and couldn't go back to sleep for the life of me (THAT IS EARLY PEOPLE) so I got up and showered and got ready for the day. If I didn't I would not be posting any pictures of me on Christmas!

Jack waited patiently and we finally got to opening presents about 7:30. This year we started (what I hope to be a continuing tradition) filling each other stockings with "coupons". I got some fabulous coupons for girls day with my mom, a clean house, a night off and 5 free hugs (inside joke.... modern family?) I love that we had to put thought into our stocking stuffers and spent absolutely nothing on them.

Jack got spoiled and received everything he needs to BBQ- which is really a present for me because it means I don't have to cook! He got a "Man"pron (apron), charcoal, lighter fluid, a cook book, utensils and a stove top grill. He also came away with some movies, calvin and hobbes books, hoodie, mic for his computer and headphones.

I got spoiled as well. I got an adorable apron from my mommers. She's so crafty, TV trays, movies, scrapbook stuff, an embossing tool, a robe, scarfs and boots. We had so much fun opening presents. Thanks everyone for spoiling us. We love you!

After opening presents the Wilkerson's always have a huge Christmas breakfast. It's one of my favorite traditions so we do it at our house too. We have Pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream, eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon and orange juice. SO amazing. I love it.

We lazed around the rest of the day- i slept and jack played with all his toys. We watched movies and lounged. Christmas night I always make a huge Christmas dinner. I make Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Rolls, Cranberry Sauce Stuffing, Corn and Yams. We topped it off with a homemade baked cheesecake with a raspberry sauce. Oh. My. Gosh. Everything was so amazing. I love Christmas Dinner. I made enough so we could have leftovers for days. And that is all we've eaten since Friday. Mmmm.... love it!

After we stuffed ourselves to brink capacity we snuggled on the couch and watched Fringe (one of our new fave shows) and fell asleep exhausted. Hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours!

Christmas Eve Stuff

Some people think we are crazy for staying in Orem with just the two of us for Christmas. We LOVE it. It's so fun to be able to create your own traditions, sleep in your own bed, do whatever we want and not have to worry about driving in the snow. We still miss our families at Christmas time but we do love having our own celebrations.

Every Christmas Eve we make a feast of junk food. Nacho's and guacamole, chips and chili and cream cheese dip, bbq chicken wings and koolaid. We whip everything up and then snuggle on the couch and watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. So much fun.

After we have gorged ourselves with delicious food and laughed till our sides hurt we open our presents from Bernard. Every year he leaves us Christmas jammies that we get to open.

This year we got matching PJ's which I love. They are soft and ever so comfy.

After we open our PJ's we read the Christmas story from the scriptures and

then take turns filling stockings and stuffing presents under the tree.

It was an absolutely perfect Christmas Eve.

Bernard Stuff

I couldn't catch up on Christmas without giving a shout out to our "Brownie" Bernard.

Santa drops Bernard off every Thanksgiving. He is sent here to make sure we are being good and helping each other. This year Bernard left us lots of chocolate and about every other day he'd drop off some cute gift with a cheesy saying or poem. He's so crafty.

We love having him visit our home every year and can't wait till we have

some kiddo's who will enjoy him just as much.

Lights Stuff

This year we talked about going to Temple Square all winter long. Christmas was almost here and I was so sad we hadn't been. So on the day before Christmas Eve we decided to make the trek. We drove to Sandy and rode the tracks so we could avoid parking. It was so much fun.

Absolutely perfect. It was snowing and freezing and the lights were beautiful. We took our time and listened to the choirs singing, watched a little of the nativity and walked around holding hands. I love going with a big group but it was fun going with just the two of us.

I love visiting temple square- it's so fun going back to where we began 4 years ago.

Decoration stuff

I have not blogged in so long! I really do love blogging and I love reading every one's blogs. So this is one of my New Year goals. Hopefully you'll see a little more of me on here. First I need to get caught up on our Christmas this year.

My mom goes all out for Christmas. It's the biggest holiday at our house and we celebrate it forever! She always decorates the ENTIRE house. I think she had 4 Christmas trees this year and there is garland and bows in every corner. I LOVE IT! I'm so happy she passed on that trait. I love decorating for Christmas. It's my favorite.

Here's our front door. This year I made my own wreath. I thought it turned out classy and perfect for what I wanted. I got the wreath at savers and just tore everything off it

and found these cute ornaments that just clip on. Fabulous.

Then you walk in and see our Christmas tree. I loved our tree this year. We always get a real one and this year was no exception. It keeps my house smelling like Christmas all month long.

I love it.

Last year my grandma gave me the Willow Tree Nativity. It's one of my favorite pieces to pull out. I just love the simple classic look that adds so much to our Christmas spirit.

This was my first nativity that my mom gave me when I got married. I absolutely love it. We had it in our home growing up and I love having it in my home now.

So there you have it. Those are my Christmas decorations. Of course there is garland and bows all around the room and stuck in every corner. But I'll spare you those pics. Lucky!