Merry Christmas

We hope everybody is having a Very Merry Christmas.  We love you all and wish we could be with you all.  Aren't we so glad to know the real meaning of this season and are so blessed to have such a loving Savior Jesus Christ.

We LOVE you all!!!

Merry Christmas

(if your wondering why I'm typing so early Christmas morning, it's because Alex woke up at 5:00 am and Samantha's still asleep- a very different Christmas morning.)

Christmas Eve

This year for Christmas Eve we decided to do something new, since we had our family Christmas party with everybody on Sunday night.  We went out to dinner at the little america cafe for their yummy turkey dinner.  It was actually a very nice change, other than our kids were a little crazy, and Jim and I just about lost our minds or patience. 

After dinner we went to Temple Square to go see the Christmas lights.  It was a very fun night and a great outing.  We all had to get bundled up.  I just love puffy coats for my little kids.  They keep them so warm and cozy.

Having fun at Temple Square.

My family- Monae's family, my family, Jaclyn and Andrea and Duane.  We all braved the cold for this beautiful outing.

Santa Balls!!!

Once again Grandma Lala provided on of our favorite Christmas treasures, Santa Balls.  The are the cutest Santa's made of crepe paper and as you unwind them they contain candy and presents.  I'm always so amazed at how she can get so many wonderful treats inside and still keep them so small and round. 

We got together with Lizzy's and Anna's family to open the Santa balls.  It was fun to see how excited the kids are to open them and even more excited once they find their treats.

Inside Samantha's ball we were amazed to find playdoh and a my little pony, along with many other treats.

Alex loved his little football and gumby horse.  Most of all he loved playing with the crepe paper after.   Thanks Grandma Lala for the fun Christmas memories and delight these Santa balls bring to our families. What a fun family tradition that I feel so lucky to be married into.

More from the Christmas Party

My mom made the cutest Christmas aprons for all of the grandkids, so they could frost their sugar cookies for Santa without getting to messy.

Alex enjoying being a wise man. 

Jaclyn was our narrator for the Christmas story.  It's so fun having her home and continuing to bring the spirit with her.  The kids just love their aunt JJ.

Alex getting into ringing Christmas bells.  He doesn't get what the holiday is about, but is really enjoying all the things that go along with it. 

Christmas Story

On Sunday my family got together for our Christmas party.  It was very exciting to have so many little ones around with Christmas enthusiasm.  We had our traditional Christmas dinner, followed by presentation of the Christmas story, gift exchange and then frosting yummy sugar cookies.

Alex taking on the role of one of the wise men, with his gift to give the Christ child.

Samantha as one of the heavenly angels

Andrea and Duane as Mary and Joseph.  Samantha took a very personal interest in the baby Jesus and eventually took him from the manager, so Carter stepped in for the role of baby Jesus.

The three wise men. 

Santa Baby

About two weeks ago, Samantha and I were dancing and singing along to Christmas music in my kitchen. The song Santa Baby came on and Samantha stopped and turned to me saying " Mom Santa is not the baby, it's Baby Jesus".  It was so cute but it made me so happy that yes she is learning the true meaning of Christmas in her own little way.  

If you ask her what Santa's going to bring her, she'll say Chocolate or Pink presents. Hopefully Santa can come through.  According to Billy our little elf, she has been a very good girl this year.

Our Old Loyal Friend

Aspen-our old loyal friend.
I thought I better give a shout out to a member of our family who has yet to make an appearance on the family blog.  She has just turned 9 years and has been such a great part of our family.  I'm sure she is sick of being knocked lower and lower on the Pugh totem pole, but she has been very patient.  She is so good with the kids and has put up with endless poking, pulling, and pushing.  She has been a priceless teaching tool on why not to overindulge a puppy dog or toddler (because it's not so cute when a 80 lbs snoring dog is still sleeping on your bed as they have gotten older).  Other than some of her unusual traits, she is so loyal and we love her so much. 

My little buddy

Alex has been such a fun little toddler.  He is all boy, he loves balls, hats, and being messy. He is learning so much and it's so exciting to see all the things he is learning to do and hear his sweet little words.

One of his favorite words and things is hat. Everything ends up on his head.

We got this little hat and he wore it around the house all day long.

Alex has also gone from being Charlie Brown to Linus. He loves his satin ribbon blankets!!!! He has to have one before he goes to sleep and often carries it around with him-everywhere.  I'm just glad I have a few back up since they get dragged around.  Alex is also in the going, going, going stage, where from the time he wakes up he is on the move.  So when he gets tired he crashes.  I love when he just lays down and takes a little nap. 

This morning Alex was helping me do the laundry.  He was taking everything out of the basket and laying on it them saying Ni-Nit (night, night).  It was so cute that I just let him continue making a mess of my laundry room.  I also knew he would soon be off to make a new mess somewhere else.  Sometime kids do the cutest things that just make your heart melt.  I love how he just loves being by his mom.  My little buddy.

Welcome Home Sister

Last week, Sister Jaclyn Mangum finally came home after serving her mission in San Salvador.  It was so fun to welcome her home and see her after 18 months.  She came home to an anxious family and to meet two new little ones-Alex and Kate.  Welcome home and thanks for all of your hard work in serving such a valiant mission. It has been so great to have her home and see  her maintain her enthusiasm and passion for life and sharing the gospel. She has the best Spanglish, but I'm sure the adjustment coming home is even greater than we all realize. You can tell she really immersed herself in her service.   

It so was fun to hear all of the cheers as the missionaries came down the escalators. 7 other missionaries came home at the same time so the airport was full of families.

Plenty of hugs and love to go around

***Just think it will soon be President and Sister Pugh's turn to return with Honor!!! 7 more months Nana and Papa-Keep up the great missionary work. 

Alex is a Toddler

Alex is now a busy little walker.  He is so excited and pleased with his new walking ability.  It's so fun to watch as he is a little bit more like frankenstein than light and graceful on his feet. He tries to move quickly from place to place leaving him with many new bruises. Ever since he started to move he loves to follow Samantha and climb on everything.  Busy little toddler!!!! 

Even though he keeps us so busy he is such a delight. The awe and wonder we see in his eyes as he discovers new things is such a priceless gift. Oh to be little again.