Let me preface this whole post by explaining something:   Last year I wasn’t much into the Christmas Spirit.  My body was still recovering and I was pleased to have put up my Christmas tree and decorated it – let alone do any other Christmasy activities.  So I decided this year I was going for it – going hard.

To really kick things off – I got Sloan her very own advent calendar.  Growing up – my advent calendar was one of the highlights of December for me.  I wanted Sloan to have one to enjoy, too.  The problem with giving a one-year-old an advent calendar is that you can’t fill each day with a chocolate or candy, you have to get creative.  Thus far, out of all 7 days, her favorite prize has been the mini rubber ducky.  Her least favorite – a tiny pair of mittens that fit her perfect…that she absolutely despises.
This week we stole Zach during his lunch break and drove down to Salt Lake for the Christkindlmarkt – a German Christmas Market.  There were small booths set up (deja vu of Swiss Days, I might add) and tons of delicious food.  Zach got a pizza – because that’s the least authentic German food item he could find – and candied nuts.  I left with a live bay leaf and berry wreath.  I’d call that a win win.

We thought it would be the perfect time to visit Santa and take some photos – turns out Santa takes lunch breaks, too.  And he was on his right when we arrived.  So we snuck into his tent and took a photo on his Santa seat.  Sloan was bummed we missed him, but she enjoyed the animals more, anyway.  This week Zach got all of our Christmas lights put up on our home.  He put in so much work – both he and his brother Chad – spent a few days over at our place on the roof.  All the time and effort was worth it.  He absolutely crushed it.  He even obliged when I asked if we could line the windows…

I got my neighbor gift tags all designed up and printed and spent a few nap times getting everything prepped.  Gift wrapping is one of my favorite things to do this time of year.
Sloan is still under the weather, so we spent a lot of time at home this week.  I am the type of personality [a toxic combination of ADD and OCD] that can’t stay cooped up inside for too long.  Before I knew it, Sloan and I were organizing my entire kitchen, pantry, and basically the whole first floor of my house.  Only taking breaks to introduce her to her soon-to-be favorite Christmas film:  Elf.  

Friday night we stayed in and watched Home Alone as a family.  It was on our December-to-do List.

Saturday morning we woke up and got ready bright and early for breakfast with Santa at the Grand America.  I’ve been trying to get into this secret society for 3 years now, and have never had any luck.  Thursday night I decided to call and see, if it just so happened, if there were any reservations that had canceled.  Turns out a table of FOUR people had canceled just that morning – and I was the only one that had called and asked.  SO after three years, I got my wish.  But this time – I got to take Sloan AND Zach with me.  We were a tad early so we walked around the hotel and peeked in all the windows, the Bakery, and went ga ga over all the holiday decor.

The meal was honestly to die for – I didn’t even get a chance to discuss it with Zach.  He was too busy in line for the omelet bar on his third round.  There were berry waffles, macarons, a cereal buffet, an omelet bar, a crepe bar, cheese stuffed pastries, SO many jams.  All three of us, including Sloan, overindulged and didn’t feel bad about it for one second.  The best part was that we got professional photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Clause.  Sloan didn’t trip out like I was fearful she would.  Instead, she didn’t move a muscle.  Like she was frozen at the sight of magical whimsy.  She was overcome with Christmas spirit, perhaps.  

After we got home that afternoon, Zach let me go on a run outside because the weather was so pleasant.  Afterwards we got ready for our date night.  Dinner at Market Street and a movie down town.  It was incredibly crowded – there was apparently a Jazz game and hordes of people to see the Temple Square lights – but we didn’t mind one bit.  

Sunday I stayed home from church to be with Sloan.  No matter what we did or how hard we hoped for her to get healthy, her cold decided to stick around.  So when Zach got home from his meetings we all got in our jammies and had the laziest Sunday in recent memory.  We ate dinner, watched Christmas Vacation [now that I am typing this I am realizing it wasn’t the most appropriate film for the sabbath] and wrapped presents.  We’re only a week deep into this month and we’re totally crushing our December-to-do List.  Let’s not talk about the fact that I totally spaced the dates of the Festival of Trees this year – but we still have plenty left up our sleeves.

17 sleeps until Christmas!