Our First Utah Christmas

Nate proposed to me on December 13, 2013 and a week later was on a plane headed home for Christmas, and last year we spent Christmas together in Oregon. Which made this Christmas mine and Nate's first Utah Christmas. It was a perfect one. Santa came early to the Rau house so Nate and I woke up early Christmas Eve to see what he brought, and open a few presents from each other. It was a happy, quiet celebration-our last one just the two of us. 

Later we met up with my family for brunch, and spent the afternoon baking and preparing for our big Christmas Eve dinner. That night we headed over to Aunt Debbie's house for the big dinner, but not before putting on our awesome Christmas light necklaces. We had a blast with the London's eating delicious food, playing games, visiting with the wise men, and playing the chimes.

After the party we went back to Mom and Dad's-where opened our annual Christmas jammies. There were even some for our baby boy! We also read the scriptures, and spent some time talking about our Savior.

Christmas morning brought wonderful surprises from Santa, and thoughtful gifts from each other. As always Santa was too good to us, but as happy as I was with what he brought me-I had the most fun looking at what he brought for our baby boy. I've heard that Christmas as a parent is the very best. What I didn't realize is that now, before we even get to see our son, Christmas would be extra special. The whole time was spent thinking about him, and how because of our Savior Jesus Christ he gets to be our son forever. For me, that was the best part of this snowy, perfect Christmas. 

Christmas Fun

Despite being so busy this past December, Nate and I were able to have some fun too. He is a good sport to put off some unpacking and furniture shopping in order to take me out to get my Christmas fix. He really is my favorite person to celebrate this beautiful season with.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

Festival of Trees

Gingerbread House Building and Sugar Cookie Baking

                                                                                       Zoo Lights

Fancy work parties and the Motab Christmas concert

But the real highlight we didn't even have to leave home for-a beautiful, white Christmas. 

It's Christmastime

This December has been crazy. Between moving, working, and growing a human we've been stressed to our limits. There has been no time to just relax, making this the most stressful and busy December of my life. I've had to work harder than any year before to slow down, and seek moments of quiet peace in order to feel the Christmas spirit. However, as I've done this I've seen more and more that the things of this season do not matter-all that matters are the spirit and the reason for it-our savior Jesus Christ. 

These words have made all the difference to me this year:

"Take time to relax, be at peace, and see this little child in your mind. Do not be too concerned or overwhelmed with what is coming in His life or in yours. Instead, take a peaceful moment to contemplate perhaps the most serene moment in the history of the world-when all of heaven rejoiced with the message 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men' (Luke 2:14)"

-Elder D. Todd Christofferson 

As I've tried to simplify my view of the Savior-focusing only on this miraculous moment in his life, I've been able to simplify my view on the rest of the season-focusing more on what really matters. For that reason, it has been a beautiful Christmas season-and it's not over yet!

Merry Christmas Darling

This year was mine and Nate's first Christmas together. Last year, just a week after proposing, Nate went home to Oregon for Christmas. I missed him a lot, but I would get the biggest smile remembering that I would never again have to celebrate a Christmas without him. And I have to say, Christmas with Nate is the very best!

This year, Nate and I were blessed to celebrate three different Christmases! First, on December 23 we celebrated our own little Christmas-where Santa came early to stuff our stockings! We were both so excited to wake up and give each other the gifts we'd picked out! It was the very best Christmas of my life- and it technically wasn't even Christmas day.

That night it was off to Bend, OR where we spent the next five days celebrating Christmas with the Raus. We were blessed with beautiful snow, great food, and even better company! We were so excited to see Nate's parents, siblings, and all the nieces and nephews. It was a lovely Christmas. I'm so grateful for such wonderful in-laws who made my first Christmas away from home so happy.

On Sunday we got back to Salt Lake, and after a delicious dinner with my family we opened presents and celebrated our third Christmas with them. It was so fun to hang out with all of them, hear about their Christmas, and exchange gifts. It was hard to be away from them on Christmas for the first time in my life, but they were so kind to save some of the celebrating for when Nate and I got home. It was a wonderful night!

Lucky for us, the celebrating isn't over! 4th Christmas will be on January 13th-when this girl gets home. We saved a few presents, and the decorations are still up for that day,  and I have a feeling it will be a very exciting celebration. 

I can easily say that this was the happiest Christmas, and Christmas season of my life. It didn't have anything to do with gifts, or presents-but had everything to do with who I spent it with-Nate. I'm so glad that I get to spend all my Christmases, and all the days between, with him. 

It's Christmastime

It's Christmastime and we couldn't be happier about it around here! We decorated a little bit early, but since then have been busy enjoying different holiday activities. We went to the Festival of Trees, we sewed a couple wonderful (if I do say so myself) stockings, we checked out the lights at Temple Square, we've wrapped presents, addressed Christmas cards, been shopping, made yummy peppermint treats and watched Christmas movies.

Yesterday marked a year since Nate proposed to me, and the magic of that time mixed with the all around happy of Christmas has made for a very wonderful holiday season so far.

Christmas is always my favorite time of year, and this year it has been even more exciting and happy-my first Christmas with Nate.

Scenes from a Beautiful December

It's been a busy December, and I've been awful at blogging because of it.

But here are a few little glimpses into what December has looked like around here-so I don't ever forget how happy this December has been

Festival of Trees

Taking Nate to see the lights at temple square for his first time

Sledding with my best friend

 An ice skating triple date with some of my very favorite couples (and my fiancee!!)

Making Grandma's sugar cookies (note the flour on us both)

(even our cookies are in love)

It has been the happiest Christmas season of my life-and I feel so blessed for my fiancee, my family and my wonderful friends who have made it so wonderful.

Merry Christmas Darling

The big Christmas festivities around here take place on Christmas Eve. That night we go to the Child's for a wonderful dinner, games, and of course a visit from the Wise Men. As always this party was the highlight of Christmas-being surrounded by the people I love most, listening to all the laughter, and seeing the cute children experience the magic of the season.

That night we got back to the house and talked of Christ's life and birth. It was a nice reminder of the reason we celebrate, and I always love that part of Christmas. We then received the annual cozy Christmas pajamas, and got ready for bed. Before falling asleep mom always reads us a festive children's book. This year it was written by one of my very favorite people, President Monson. Even if you already know the story you should each read his new book, The Christmas Train. It was lovely.

Christmas day involved presents, family brunch, and lots of time just hanging out together in our pjs. I love the simplicity of Christmas day in the London house-no fancy dinners, no organized activities really-just hanging out with each other-eating when we feel like it, opening presents when we feel like it, and napping when we feel like it. It truly is the most wonderful day.

My Christmas was full of the things I love most. The Savior, my family, kind words and visits with dear friends, and lots of peace.

I hope yours was full of whatever it is that you love most.

PS: Here is our lovely "model" shot in our PJs. I guess we shouldn't quit our day jobs...