Sugar Plums, Nerf Guns, and Coffee Cakes Galore

Our Christmas this year was a lot of fun. It was Sean and my first Christmas together and we celebrated with both of our families all under one roof. Mom and Dad P along with Neil, Rebecca, and Brian came drove up from New Mexico and Eric flew in from New York. They split their sleeping time between my parents and Rebecca’s parents house.

Christmas Eve brought a full house to the Zaelit home. We had 10 people in my parents three bedroom house. Unfortunately Elroy was banished to the master bedroom. He got a huge candy cane for consolation:)

We woke up Christmas morning to discover that Santa had come even though we forgot to leave him milk and cookies (perhaps the luminaries brought all the way from New Mexico enticed him).There were mounds and mounds of presents, more that I have ever seen. Sean and I were spoiled beyond belief with both sets of parents in the same house.


My family celebrates the Christmas pickle tradition. Santa brings an extra gift and hides an ornament that looks like a dill pickle. Whoever finds the pickle gets the extra present. This year the boys got to look for the pickle and my amazingly talented husband found it. The gift was individually wrapped nerf guns for each of the boys. They spent the rest of the day shooting each other, the girls, the tv, the window, and most likely the dog.



After we opened presents we had a yummy breakfast prepared by Sean and I. We ate scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, coffee cake, sugar cookies, juice, milk, and candy.

We spent the day playing games and visiting. Mom Z made a fantastic dinner (that tasted a lot like thanksgiving...mmmmm). Grandma and Grandpa Z and Sam, Jared, and Kaity joined us.


After dinner we had a Christmas devotional where everyone shared a message about Christ. We sang hymns and shared testimonies. It was Sean and my favorite part of the day.

We went to see Uncle Brian play in the Nutcracker the next day. Who knew he could fit into those tiny tights:) (JK, he played the bassoon) That night we watched the movie Julie and Julia, I really liked it.

On Sunday the Peterson’s had to head back to NM, Virginia, and NY. We took Eric to the airport then went to church. Sean played a beautiful musical number in sacrament. He combined the hymns Away in a Manger and I know that my Redeemer Lives. It was absolutely beautiful. Papa Jo then gave a wonderful talk on the importance of giving and not getting at Christmas.

We are so excited for a little more time off to play with each other and the Zaelits. We are so grateful for such a wonderful family. I am especially grateful for my wonderful parents for hosting so many people. What an amazing way to celebrate!