Eliza Jane's 1st Christmas

Having a new baby made Christmas that much more magical. It is fun to think about new family traditions we can start and all of the different Christmas festivities Eliza can enjoy in the future. Scott and I made Eliza a homemade felt stocking with a Christmas tree on it, a Cowley family tradition. Scott made me a felt stocking filled with my favorite things in high school and it is still my favorite Christmas gift from him. My mom gave Eliza her gingerbread sweater and candy cane striped pants. Her clothes are still huge on her because she is such a bird eater. Being 7 weeks old, we didn't wrap her any presents this year, but she certainly got spoiled by her grandparents.

Christmas for us began a few weeks early. My sister Calli and her husband Dan flew out from Florida the week before Christmas. Whenever Calli is in town the week in jam packed with activities. Visiting Grand America is becoming a tradition to reminisce their wedding reception. The life size gingerbread house was amazing. We celebrated my dad's birthday at the new Maxwell's downtown. It is our favorite pizza place and another tradition when Calli comes. We use to make a regular visit to Park City just to eat there. After dinner my family walked to Temple square to see the beautiful lights and attend the church concert. Scott and I passed on the lights because of the bitter temperature and didn't know about bringing a baby to the concert. Life is a little different with a baby. My mom treated the girls to the Nutcracker ballet. Loved it! It had been forever since I had last seen it. We drove through Christmas street. We started a new tradition instead of drawing a sibling name we decided to do a sibling date night. Scott and I enjoyed our first dinner out without the baby. Afterwards we stopped by This is the Place and caught the view of the awesome Zoo Lights from across the street. I get so excited about all the many Christmas hotspots I can take Eliza in a few years. This year she slept through most everything.

The sawyers hosted an ugly Christmas sweater and white elephant gift exchange. These parties are always full of delicious food and guaranteed laughing until our stomachs hurt. We are so happy we still get invited since moving away. Scott's outfit was hilarious. When it comes to dressing up and costumes he takes the cake!

We couldn't love this baby anymore!

We spent Christmas Eve at grandpa Cris' house. He always has a wonderful dinner and gives us our traditional bed and breakfast gift certificate.

Grandma Betty

Sam and Rei who live in Atlanta were in town for Christmas. You'd never know cousin Ian is only 6 weeks older than Eliza when they are next to each other. We loved having Rei here a few weeks before Christmas while Sam was in China. We were able to pile all of the kids and car seats in Julie's car and drive down to Thanksgiving Point to see their Holiday Lights from the view in the car. The best way to experience Christmas lights with two little babies. We went on a fun date to see Mission Impossible. It was the first time Scott and I had been to a movie in the theater since having Eliza and the longest time I'd spent away from her. She was well taken care of. Grammie did a great job juggling the 3 kids under the age of two. Thank you!

The chocolate cake from the book Matilda.

Decked out and tuckered out in the darling Christmas dress from Aunt Lisa. We spent Christmas morning at Scott's moms for a delicious breakfast and presents.

Eliza loves grandma Julie

Always tricky getting a great shot with a bunch of kids and having them all look at the camera...

take two... we can't believe our gorgeous twin nieces are 16 and dating. Eliza is going to have lots of fun with Maia as she gets older. We will miss Fiona and Ian!

We had Christmas dinner at my parents house. We usually go to a movie on Christmas day. I thought it was special having Christmas on a Sunday and hearing the beautiful Christmas music. My mom hid a pickle ornament on the tree, which is a Norwegian tradition. Grandma gave Eliza the cutest Janie and Jack clothes she bought on sale for next winter.

Aunt Kates and Uncle Ben. We are sure glad they still live close.