The Magic of Christmas

This Christmas season, Henry is old enough to notice his surroundings and enjoy them. We put up some Christmas lights in our apartment, and they are his favorite. Every time he comes into the living room he points to them, crawls over to them and tries to touch them. I let him play with them for just a little while and he was in heaven. 

On the left, is Henry's 1st Christmas. And on the right, is one year later. Look how much he's grown!

We didn't put up a Christmas tree this year. Mostly because we were afraid that Henry would grab it and pull it down on himself. Plus, our apartment doesn't allow real Christmas trees. Bummer. 

Since we've been married we have had "nontraditional" trees, so we continued it again this year. 

2012: Our plant/tree with popcorn garland

2013: Tomato cage with lights

2014: Baby-proof tree (washi tape on wall)

We've started a new Christmas tradition of an advent calendar! I put it together so each day you either do an act of service or a Christmas activity. It wasn't too difficult to make and I think it helps us be more charitable and make memories. Some of the ideas I put inside included: 

Watching the Christmas devotional, putting up Christmas decorations, reading The Mansion and Christmas Carol, making paper snowflakes, making graham cracker houses, seeing Christmas lights, making/delivering holiday treats to friends and neighbors, complimenting people, smiling more, leaving quarters in a vending machine, holding the door open for someone, scraping someone's windshield, etc. 

A couple weeks ago we went to a Window Walk. There were ice sculptures, fire throwers, a tree lighting, and some other activities. The ice sculptures were my favorite. 

Our ward Christmas party was really nice. For dinner they served Mexican food! Yum! I signed up to bring enchiladas, and I had to bring enough to feed 30 people! I had to quadruple my recipe! 

We didn't know how Henry would do sitting on Santa's lap, but we took him to see Santa. He was fine in my arms until Santa started reaching out to hold him and then Henry had a meltdown. It was funny but sad at the same time. Maybe next year...