2012 Christmas Holiday Recap

We had one of the best holiday seasons on record.

I mean we totally hit it out of the park!

It probably won't happen again. This year, all of our kids had free time from work and school, which meant we had lots of time to spend together. Next year, Otto and Andy will be on their missions and after that who knows if all seven of us will ever have such a big chunk of undivided free time again.

We took advantage with 3 weeks of non-stop {almost} playing and eating and laughing. 

We watched The Taffetas sing their hearts out,

photo credit: Kyle Turman

ate delicious prime rib and belly-laughed at My Big Fat Southern Utah Christmas,

photo credit

went bowling, played Pickle ball, did some Christmas shopping, had a family sing-a-long (Andy and Sean played guitars...yeah!) and played games. We had some good discussions and performed a little bit of service. We read some Christmas stories, including our traditional new picture book, and this one.

Of course homemade food was on the agenda, such as: these lemon souffle pancakes with raspberry syrup, (you have never quite arrived in breakfast heaven until you try these!)

photo credit: Christina's Cuccina

pizza on my new pizza stone and these breadsticks.

photo credit

We ate delicious grilled hamburgers and perfect potato salad at my mom and dads. We swooned over the broccoli, chicken parmigiana, garlic mashed potatoes and blackberry Italian sodas at a new Italian restaurant called Bucca Di Peppo.

Of course, we had our traditional formal Christmas Eve dinner... this year with a black and gold theme.

I used my grandmother's beautiful China from Germany (which I gratefully inherited), and borrowed my mom's gold coasters. I found this gold fabric for the tablecloth at a killer 75% off this summer when Joann's fabric store was closing (moving). Then found some gorgeous gold goblets to match at TJMaxx. (Gorgeous gold goblets...say that 10 times real fast!)

We had ham, garlic mashed potatoes, and asparagus.  (My New Year's resolution really should be to clean & degrease my cookie sheets...)

seven layer salad, honey and maple roasted carrots, haricots verts with crispy bacon nubbins,

Ms. Fish's perfect rolls (hungry yet?),

and chocolate genoise with peppermint ice cream. (Mine almost looked like this...almost... !)

photo credit

Christmas day was wonderful. (If you took our picture's word for it, it was a little blurry and dark. But wonderful! Can't you just see the Christmas glow in the children's eyes. Mr. Fish looks especially overcome with emotion!)

christmas morning 2012

There were generous gifts given by all....including this awesome paper replica of an iPhone 5 --- made and drawn by Sean... preloaded with my favorite apps, of course.

notice the clever jphone logo

It came in a shiny fabric case sewed by Daisy herself (1st comes love, then comes marriage, then comes sewing up an iPhone carriage).

Then...my real iPhone 5 from my kids and Mr. Fish came a few weeks later. So exciting! Thank you BSJJSL!!!!!!

O&A model their new hats and show off their plaques (not to be confused with plagues) - snuck from their room, wrapped and re-gifted from Sean and Daisy. It was so funny!

After presents, we had Christmas brunch (consisting of a sausage and egg casserole and blueberry scones), a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Hackworth and then a dreamy afternoon with Hugh Jackman.

We came home with our head full of songs (for days) and filled our bellies full of rich and creamy eggnog. (Yes, we drank raw eggs and though some may be able to make a good case to the contrary, we all still seem to be normal.) Then we spent the next several days competing with one another in the following games.

A highlight was spending time with my brother, Jeremy, and his family. And having an informative family home evening on money management with my goodly parents. (10/10/10 --- good advice)

The year was finished with our FIRST ever, and hopefully first ANNUAL ski trip to Brianhead on New Year's Eve. (First time Mr. Fish and I have been skiing in 30 years. He was hot! on the slopes. I noticed THAT after I realized I actually might not die). It was fun to watch all our kids zip down, especially first-timer Sean.

Then we topped off our vacation with the Hobbit (which I surprisingly enjoyed), and a delicious balsamic pork roast (which my kids surprisingly enjoyed).

It was three weeks full of laughter, family, food and gratitude.

Though I did NOT want it to end, there is no silencing the drumbeat of time. The kids have all gone back to their busy college lives and Mr. Fish and I are left with an empty nest & the echoes of many sweet melodies.

We wish you a productive and peaceful new year.

Cheers!

not pictured: Sean, the photographer

Thank you for sharing a little part of your day with me!

Ms. Fish