There's nothing like Christmas in Utah surrounded by family. Adding a brand new baby this year made this Christmas even more special. Sometimes the hardest part about living away is thinking that this precious baby won't grow up knowing her family and them knowing her.
We were so happy that we got to spend 3 weeks in Utah.. and the best way to sum up that time is through pictures. With the blessing of modern technology, society has the opportunity to document their lives through taking pictures. It's a modern form of journal keeping and in so many ways it is a big big blessing!
I feel like with Lydia I just want to capture all my favorite things about her. Her squeals and smiles when I get her from her crib in the morning. Her spasms of energy when she gets really excited, and even her pouty face when she is about to cry... things that I know will quickly disappear.
Whenever I see these two pictures, I just can't help but feel a twitter in my stomach from all that cuteness. I just want to squeeze that cute face! I loved having my family meet and see this girl in all her glory!
She sure loved seeing her aunts and giving them big smiles. And I think Lydia was obsessed with all the Christmas lights on the trees and houses. She loved to just stare at them all.
Grandpa Kendell and Lydia.. (the lights from the tree reflected on my camera lens and reflected back on them.. whoops haha)
Holding my baby girl helped me imagine a bit more about how Mary may have felt holding baby Jesus and the love that she felt for him, I too feel for this baby girl.
Christmas Eve we had our traditional "Gingerbread house making" which pretty much just mean taking graham crackers and candy and build something awesome. We saw some great things this year!
Brooke made an awesome beach house, Raquel and Brad moved into their first home over Christmas and so she made a graham cracker version while Brad made a fourwheeler. Camille made Noah's Ark, complete with animals ha. My mom made a Christmas tree. Claire was making a barn but ended up eating more than she put together and Ben made a stadium! All were pretty clever and well done!
Up close pics of Harry Potter and Chief Powtan. Ice Skating the night before-with Brooke doing some Michael Jackson moves..
Lydia and her cousin Jace that is 4 months older. And then some more cousins below. It was so fun to have Lydia meet them all! Kyler stayed home from school so he could play with her and Claire kept saying, "Oh I wish my name was Lydia! I wish I could keep her!"
We went to Christmas Village and to the Ogden Temple. Boy is it beautiful! It was chilly but it was so fun to bundle Lydia up and walk around with that cute girl! 
I had to take a picture with her by the light-up moose since that is my nickname for her. Christmas Eve we also went to Speedway and got real with the go carts. Phew! The Kendell Clan is one competitive group of crazies! What a blast!
Christmas Day we got the chance to talk to my brother James who is serving in Seattle Washington on an LDS mission. What a hunk! "The relationships you build with Christ at the foundation are the strongest. (dang...that was a good one...you can quote me on that if you want.)" -Elder James Kendell
He couldn't have said it any better. That is our family perfectly... So grateful that we can all be together forever through the sealing power of the temple.
Then it was off to spend time with the Larson's. Here are the adorable granddaughters altogether! Such beauties! 
Olivia and Lydia are 8 months apart! Already best little friends! 
Oh how we love our Larson's! The was the first time we were all in the same place for a very long time. It was an energetic bunch and full of so much love! Love all these people!
"It is a glorious thing to have old St. Nicholas in our hearts and in our homes today, whether he enters the latter through the open door or creeps down the chimney on Christmas Eve. To bring happiness to others without seeking personal honor or praise by publishing it is a most commendable virtue. . . .
Good old St. Nicholas has long since gone the way of all mortals, but the joy he experienced in doing kindly deeds is now shared by millions who are learning that true happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service." -President David O McKay
What a MERRY 2014 Christmas!! I hope to catch a bit of this Christmas spirit and love and keep it in my heart all year long.
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