We presented their family with a copy of “You Are Special“. It’s a must-read, must-own in my opinion.

We made prepared an enormous brunch spread, with waffles (gluten-full and gluten-free), sausage, eggs, and Magleby’s/Kneaders syrup. I put myself in charge of getting the frame of the gingerbread house up while we ate breakfast.

That Husband and I had some minor disagreements about the syrup but it all worked out in the end.

After breakfast, all I wanted was a nap.

The promise of little candies in pastel colored bowls lured me away from the couch though.

Apparently I did a lot of this while decorating?

Martha would likely scoff at our efforts, but I’m feeling quite proud. Notice the “snow” falling in the top left photo?

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When we got home it was time to give That Husband his Christmas present. I wasn’t really planning on giving him anything but a few days before he came up I realized I could give him one of the things he talks most about wanting.

Was it a puppy, like That Sister said it was?

Nope, no puppy. Cake! Strawberry white chocolate from Simply Desserts, the bakery where we bought our wedding cakes from.

I think he likes his surprise.

I cut the cake up into sections, saran wrapped them (twice), wrapped them in foil (twice), and flew it all home to Texas with us to enjoy over the next few weeks.

Christmas Eve evening my dad’s side of the family came over for dinner and gift opening.

What did we have for dinner that night? Tacos. KISS was the motto for christmas this year.

And we couldn’t forget the green goop! It’s a must-have for this side of the family.

Time for presents!

I let Keestan know I did not approve of her mismatched socks. Tanaya presented several of us with the sweetest little scrapbook all about her. I loved it!

TH received his first gift from grandma A (this is definitely something you want to have happen), and baby got a  gift as well!

One of my aunts makes jewelry and it’s always a treat to see what she’s giving us each year.

I think the best gift of the night were these frames of an image from my grandparent’s ranch, stamped with their brand.

The Andersen brand is everywhere in our family!

I gave two of my cousins a photo shoot as their gift, and That Sister rocked the latest in Utah fashion.

After all of the gifts were opened it was time for my favorite tradition of all — the Christmas sock! Reach your hand into one of grandpa’s tube socks and pull out as much change as you can.

Somehow I was able to dip my hand into the sock twice this year! Once for myself and once for the baby. Baby now has $7.49 in his/her piggy bank.

My first video with the new camera! As you can tell I need some practice with the focus.

2009 Christmas Sock from Jenna on Vimeo.

The next morning we woke up nice and late to open presents with my immediate family, the same way we’ve always done things. It looks like we ahve a ridiculous amount of gifts because my mom likes wrapping things individually so there is more to open. One of my gifts was a spatula wrapped in a box big enough to fit two pairs of shoes.

That Sister crafted 5 adorable onesies for baby.

I told her it was a gift worth $100 since the same type of onesies are sold on etsy for $15-$20 each.

We opened up one box and found a can of beans inside…

along with a check to cover the cost of a Beaba Babycook!

That Sister and her husband drove up which meant no suitcases to pack. They were more than happy to pack this home with them.

Not sure why I am making this face but as you can tell I was ridiculously excited about the robe my parents gave me from Nordstrom. It’s like going to the spa every time you get out of the shower.

That Sister is taking this coat back because it doesn’t fit right. Sad, huh?

And then we learned about the jeans.

My brother-in-law is such a good sport for showing off these jeans for you.

That Sister got a shootsac! She’s going to love it (I absolutely adore mine).

Dad got new luggage.

But when we used the new luggage scale we got we learned the bag weighed 12 lbs so I think this gift is getting returned too.

The last gift of the morning? A plane ticket from Th & I to That Sister so she can visit baby next Spring.

Christmas day ended with a family portrait session out in front of our house (photos coming soon!) and a night spent out at my maternal grandparent’s house (no pictures from that because by this point I was exhausted. We look forward to having the same experience two years from now!