Merry Christmas!

The Christmas season has always been one of my favorite times of the year. The excitement of picking out the perfect gift for friends and family. Driving around the city looking for the best Christmas light displays. Hiking through the mountains by the cabin in search of the perfect tree, then spending hours decorating it. Dad recounting the story behind each of our ornaments. Belting out every song on Amy Grant's Christmas CDs for weeks. For some reason it took me a little longer this year to get into the Christmas spirit, but here are a few things that have helped (and don't worry, life has been feeling pretty Christmas-y for a few weeks now):

1. The National Christmas Tree. Well, the one in front of the White House - in my two Christmases in DC, I haven't been to the one by the Capitol

This is actually a picture from last year's tree. The huge bow ornaments were a little bizarre.

2. SNOW!! Ok, I hate driving in it, but it does look pretty and I miraculously was able to get home to Boise without the delays that everyone else in the country has had.

3. Amy Grant's Christmas music. I discovered that I cannot live without it. As hokey as it may be, Amy Grant makes Christmas at my house. I have no explanation for why, but her "Tennessee Christmas" was always my favorite.

4. Magical Mint Kisses. Not something I grew up with, but they're amazing.


5. Shopping for a Sub for Santa family with the roommies. I was reminded again why I hate Wal-mart, but why I love Christmas.

6. The Air Force Band's Christmas concert. Their rendition of "12 Days of Christmas" was fabulous. And I tried to get a picture of the woman sitting in front of us, but failed. She was wearing reindeer antlers. In public.

7. The annual ward Christmas program. It just wouldn't be Christmas without spending hours rehearsing for and performing in the choir. And then coming home and actually getting to watch a Christmas program, a la my parents ward.

8. Duke Ellington School of the Arts' (the school where i teach) "Motown Christmas" concert. Check out the Temptations' "Little Drummer Boy". Really, you'll love it.

9. Christmas movies galore. A couple of the really bad Hallmark/ABCFamily/Lifetime movies. White Christmas (a couple times), A Christmas Story, etc.

10. Dinner and a visit to the DC temple to see the lights and the nativities with a few of my coworkers. The DC Temple has a light display every Christmas, as well as a live nativity, nightly Christmas concerts and a display of nativities from around the world. Smaller scale than Salt Lake City, for sure, but beautiful.


11. Getting to talk to Cody and Paul!!!! Paul actually already called, to set up the time when he would call on Christmas day, so we got to talk to him for a few minutes. He sounds great!