Christmas.

It's been an adventure for Ryan and I. We've had a lot of family gatherings and other activities to prepare for Christmas. We have been fortunate being able to organize such events in our lives. We spent the Sunday before Christmas at grandma Angie's house with the Stoddart's, my parents, and brother. We ate a really wonderful dinner and enjoyed company with each other playing white elephant bingo. Ryan and I had won chocolate Zingers (a hostess product that is no longer being made) at the end of the game Jacob exchanged with us. Us being the evil newlyweds that we are and stole the zingers and ran. I think little Jacob will resent us for that for a while haha. Totally worth it though (:. Following Sunday was Christmas Eve. Which was spent at my parents home. They had the Smiths, Grandma Margo, and Grandpa Gerry over for dinner and exchanging of gifts. It was nice seeing the families and being able to enjoy the holiday with them. Ryan and I decided we wanted to let my parents and Roan open their presents from us. They seemed to be really content with their gifts. I think that's one of my favorite parts about the holidays is giving out gifts, seeing the happiness in their face is such a great feeling. Christmas morning we went back to my parents house and opened gifts from Santa. We got luggage for all our upcoming adventures and miscellaneous things such as a map of San Francisco, a bulldog tag for our bags, a really awesome travel carrier for my jewelry. Ryan got an eagles pillow pet. Over all we were really spoiled and so thankful for the effort put into helping us with our trip coming up. We then went back home and opened presets from each other which of course was a good time. Waiting to give Ryan is presents was driving me crazy, I was so excited! He got s new phone, some movies, clothes, hat, watch, scrabble, a bow tie, normal tie, cd.... A much more. I can honestly say buying him presents is my weakness :). He had given me a couple movies, lotions, and he did an excellent job picking out some shirts for me, he also gave me some sweat pants, which didn't fit so we exchanged it for a new jacket and shirt. We then went to Ryan's parents home, ate breakfast and hurried over to great grandpa Lynn's home to visit him and grandpa Steve. It was brief but well worth the time. We went back to the porters and enjoyed time playing games and opening presents. I made family proclamations for the siblings and I was nervous they would like/ appreciate the gift but I was surprised to see how happy they were with it. Ryan got a new golf kit to help him practice, and I received moe clothes. His parents spoiled us with a new game, gift card, candy, etc. overall we were very spoiled, and very thankful for all the love from everyone. Ryan surprised me with an iPad when we got home which I was very excited about. He sure takes care of me. I think the best gift we received though was time, the time we were able to spend with our families. Their love and support is so grand. I am so thankful for them and my husband, for the light and happiness they are in my life.

We are thankful for our savior and the position he holds in our life, for his spirit in our home and as an advocate of our marriage. We are thankful for temples, and for the opportunity to be closer to him as we serve others. We are thankful for the atonement and how it's benefitted our lives greatly. We know the church is true and thankful it's here on this earth.
Merry Christmas!!!