Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we have a tradition of opening one present and having a little program. This year we missed out on the program because we didn't get back from playing with Russ' family till really late, and the boys needed to get to bed. They were pretty tired, however when the packages came out Evan's eyes lit up and he somehow found his second wind.

Wyatt had a hard time getting the box open, because Mom taped it a little more than she should have. oops.

Evan loves his snowflake pj's and has asked to wear them everynight this week. He also got batman jammies from Nali and Nali man for Christmas and those have also been a big hit.

Christmas Card

As another year passes we get the chance to reflect on our family and friends, and where this year has taken our lives. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is Christmas cards. I love receiving cards updating my family on the happenings of your family. There is no greater joy than cultivating the relationships we have in each of our lives and I’m grateful that your family is a part of our life.

We truly have been exceptionally blessed this year. Russell has decided to go back to school, and is doing great. He is getting his degree in the Native American studies program, loves learning, and so far has enjoyed his classes. I am still teaching aerobics at the college, which I love, and am working in finances for one of the local companies in town. As per usual we spent most of the summer playing softball; we were also able to take in a little more fishing, camping, and

4-wheeling this year.

Evan has had a monumental year; growing in leaps and bounds. He is now 2 and is learning so much every day. This year we were able to do the potty training thing; which went great! His vocabulary is growing so fast, sometimes a little faster than I’d like… meaning we have to watch what he hears now. He is learning his letters and knows most of his numbers, and all of his colors and shapes. He loves nursery, and loves learning about the Savior. We are so proud of him. One of my favorite memories this year was listening to him learn to pray. Nothing melts a mother’s heart like listening to the prayers of her children.

Wyatt Russell Keith is the newest member of our family. On
April 17, 2008 we were blessed with our second child, a beautiful baby boy weighing in at 7 pounds 11 ounces and 20 inches long. He has tons of dark beautiful hair, and inherited quite a few of his dad’s beautiful features. Wyatt is so much fun and such a good baby. These days he is sitting up, playing, laughing, and starting to scoot on the floor. He has 4 teeth now with more on the way, and he is eating everything he can get his hands on. He loves songs, his brother, cheerios, and hanging out with Nali (Russell’s Dad.) He has such a great relationship with Evan; they are such good brothers to each other. Evan loves to comfort him and take care of him. Wyatt loves the attention from his best play mate.

We hope that this letter finds your family well. I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to celebrate the life of our Savior, spend Christmas with family and friends, and enjoy the sweet blessings that He has brought into each of our lives.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Russell, Jennifer, Evan, and Wyatt Keith

Decorating

After bringing our tree home, it was time to decorate. We ended up cutting the tree almost in half to get it in our house. Evan decorated most of the tree this year.

Evan wanted to start with the candycanes. It was hard for him to understand that they needed to stay on the tree and not be eaten all in one day. He put a clump of about 6 candy canes in a back spot on the tree. About a half hour into decorating we found him hiding behind the tree trying to get the plastic off the candy cane to eat it.

Wyatt and Dad watched for the most part. Wyatt liked playing with some of the toys and books we only bring out at Christmas. He wasn't feeling very good that day and ended up participating from afar.

Evan has been "camped out" under the tree ever since we got it up. He enjoys looking at it and moving the ornaments, changing the lights, and playing/reading the book that we keep underneath the tree.

Needless to say, we were out of candycanes by about the 3rd day of the tree being up. I think for about two days he had a steady flow of sugar and peppermint running through his veins.

The Keith Family Christmas Tree

Growing up... I believed that Christmas Trees came from lots. I knew there was the possibility of cutting one, just never had the opportunity. Since we have lived so close to the mountain I insist that we cut our own. I love the experience, Russ not so much. I'm kidding. Russ likes it but the majority of work falls on him and until this year, we have chosen to cut our tree on the worst weather day of the year. This year was Russells turn to choose our tree.

This year the weather was great. It wasn't too cold and the boys were able to enjoy it, instead of having to sit in the car while dad chopped down the tree in the snow. Evan was so excited to put the "tag" on our tree and helped me pick pine cones for our mantle while dad cut down our tree.

Without having to fight the snow, cutting, loading, and tagging our tree took all of 15 minutes. Which was great because the boys were getting tired and ready to go home for naps.

Frontrunner Train

Okay so I know this will sound a little cheesy, but were from a small town, we don't have public transportation in our town. So while we were up north for our last visit. Evan was enthrawled with the frontrunner trains. We had told him that Jason catches the train to school, and of course he wanted to try it. So when we went to temple square we took the train, and rode trax through town. It was actually really fun and Evan really had a good time.

Wyatt was a little less than impressed, but still had fun hanging out with us. It was nap time, and a little cold to wait for the train. So he was a little grouchy. We bundled him up though, and the train was actually really warm.

Waiting for the train... it was cold.

Evan and Grandma riding the Trax.

Temple Square

While we were home, we did our "black Friday" shopping that weekend but we also took the time to go to temple square and enjoy the lights with the boys and the rest of our family. It was so crowded, but beautiful and you could feel the change in atmosphere the second you stepped onto temple square. It wasn't too chilly and Wyatt managed to sleep through all of it. It was nice to off set our frazzled shopping weekend with something uplifting and it helped to bring us back to what Christmas is really about. I love Christmas time because I can truly feel the love of our Savior and am glad we got to share that experience with our boys.

Jordan ended up carrying Evan most of the way. Evan pretty much got what he wanted all weekend.

One of the cutest things of the night, was that Evan (when he did walk) would try to "blow out" the lights like they were candles. He has been so much fun this holiday season. He is finally old enough to grasp the concept of Christmas and loves to celebrate.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was so nice this year. We got to go back to my house and have Thankgiving with my Mom. Evan loved being with Grandma they were connected at the hip for most of the time. It was so nice to have the help. Wyatt loved playing with Grandma when Evan gave him his two minutes of Grandma time. My brothers had a great time with their newphews, and we just enjoyed being together. Mary Jo and Mike came over, and Turner was there. We just had the usual, Evan helped make stuffing and pies and Russ carved the Turkey. I am so grateful for my family, extended and my own. I love my boys so much and they make my life so much better. I enjoy every minute I have with them; I am so greatful for a wonderful husband with whom I am so in love with. I truly am so blessed.