Christmas!

(I can't get it to not be underlined, so, sorry)...

This Christmas we hung out with Doug's family at a beautiful beach house in Lincoln City. We were so close to the coast and the views out the windows were GORGEOUS. We really enjoyed walking down to the beach with the tide was low and oohing and aahing at the sea anemones, mussels and sea stars. Strangely enough, the coast was the calmest and warmest out of any times we've ever been there. It was so nice.

We had a lot of fun hanging out with Doug's family. All of the siblings/wives were there except for Patrick who is serving a mission for the church in Brazil right now.

Doug's mom declared this year to be a homemade Christmas. Although I think we were all a little skeptical in the beginning, it ended up being a really cool experience. Everything was so heartfelt and special because we all knew the time and effort that was put into making the gifts.

This year we got Ben and Dawn's names. (And we forgot to bring our camera, so all these pictures are from my beautiful sis-in-laws, Taylor and Karlie.)

We made an airplane mobile for their baby boy, due on April 1st. For Dawn I made an infinity scarf and some earrings. And for Ben I crocheted a beard to wear with a beanie when he's out in the cold.

The flask is from Doug. A gift for a new dad-to-be. (Filled with Mt. Dew.)

Jake and Karlie got our family this year. They went WAY above and beyond and gave us so many cool things.

Coolest idea ever. A secret little hiding spot for Doug inside a book called You and the Law. No one will ever suspect...

Aunt Karlie quickly became Juliann's best friend.

Liz made Jackson this awesome fuzzy ball with eyes! He loves it.

My Dad had our name this year and gave me this beautiful quote that I love. Totally applicable to my life right now in waiting for Doug to finish up law school.

We also made gingerbread men. Here's Juliann with Aunt Taylor:

Our vacation was filled with a few impromptu naps. I'm surprised Juliann held it together as well as she did considering that she missed so many naps.

Hot tub at the beach house

We also had half of our own little Christmas before we went up to the beach house. Here we are getting ready.

Christmas morning

Juliann with her new puppy.

All in all, it was a really great Christmas. It is really nice that Juliann appreciates and gets excited about so many small presents, and it's also nice that we can buy things for her and just hide them under a coat at the store when she's with us. We are so blessed to have such wonderful families and have time off to spend with them.