Dear Benly,

Merry Christmas! Okay to be honest we celebrated Christmas with you last Friday. I loved this Christmas. I didn't love that I couldn't celebrate it on the day because I was working. But I loved this Christmas because we got to do what we wanted to do. Don't get me wrong I love our other Christmas traditions, like going to Grandma and Grandpa Hodson's house and visiting family. But this Christmas was special because we got to focus on our family. Just the 3 of us. You, me, and Daddy. We had a blast! I can't remember the last time I had such a laid back awesome Christmas! Daddy keeps telling me that it was his favorite Christmas ever!

Christmas Eve (The 21st of December) I made a little dinner. Of course I burnt the ham but that's just your Mom and her amazing ability to burn everything! Haha. I made it as fancy as possible, we used the nice dishes and had candle light. We giggled and talked and enjoyed the good food! :) Next I gave you our Christmas Eve ornament. It's 3 little penguins with our names on it! I love it and I think you did too! You kept trying to pull it off the tree. Haha! Then we loaded up in the car and headed to Christmas Street. It's a street in Salt Lake where all the houses are decorated! You my son fell asleep 5 minutes into the drive. So you didn't see any of the lights! But they were cool! I think that's going to have to be a tradition! :) We also went down an adjacent street that had the story of Christ and his birth! It was a very special moment as your Dad and I took turns reading the verses of the scripture and looking at all the beautiful pictures. When we got home you woke up and you sure were happy. I hope you note the sarcasm here. :) We got you in your Pjs and read you a Pirates Night Before Christmas, while you mostly screamed through it. Then it was time for you to go to bed. :)

The next morning was Christmas! It was super fun! I burnt the cinnamon rolls (again shocker)! :) Haha! But they were still yummy! You didn't like them though silly boy. You kept asking for cereal! You loved opening presents! It made it so stinking funny! Your reactions were so cute! Every present you would beg us to open it for you! You just wanted to play with all your toys! We got you a police car that makes the siren noise. You love it! You mimic it and it is so stinking cute! :)

The rest of the day we napped and watched Hunchback of Notre Dame and cuddled and had homemade hot cocoa! It was seriously just awesome! :) I loved every second of your second Christmas with us! It was perfect! Just like I knew it would be! :) I love spending holidays with you my son! You are my whole world and watching you light up with excitement is something I will never forget! I love you more than you'll ever know!

Mom

Dear Bently,

We took you to see Santa! :) Dad was nervous that you were going to cry and freak out! I was actually not scared of that outcome. We were planning on buying the crazy expensive pictures for you and I figured that would be hilarious! :) I know I'm a weird Mom. But I had no fear. You are one of the friendliest kids I've ever met. I knew you would do fine. We stood in line waiting and the whole time you kept saying, Santa! Santa! :) I carried you up to Santa and you didn't cry at all! I sat you in his lap and you just stared at him in awe. Then we got the picture. You didn't smile, no surprise there you never smile in pictures, but you weren't sad either! Santa looks crankier then you do! ;) I love the picture! I love getting to have these fun holiday traditions and memories with you! I love getting to do all things I dreamed of doing with my children with you! You are the sweetest baby and I just love you to pieces! :) Being your Mom is the best! :)

Love,
Mom