The Pettit Family: Christmas in Utah 2011

For Christmas this year we took a trip to Utah to visit Jesse's family. We were able to take a plane but I was quite nervous about how our new little baby would handle the trip. We took a car trip to California in November and Calvin did pretty good then so I shouldn't have had anything to worry about but I did anyways. I'm not sure why I was so anxious about the flight, but everything went smoothly and Calvin was the same happy boy he always is.
The trip was lovely; full of family fun and games, cute traditions, and even a little mistletoe action. On Christmas Eve all of the aunts, uncles, and grand kids re-enacted the nativity. Calvin was the youngest baby there so he got to play the part of baby Jesus and did a fine job. I think he liked the little manger more than his own crib, despite his legs hanging off the side of it. He just laid there and smiled as all of the other grand kids were gathered around adoring him. I love my little angel son.
Jesse's sister Mirinda MADE us an awesome AT-AT for Christmas (AT-ATs are the big, four-legged walkers in The Empire Strikes Back). She is so ridiculously talented! We are trying to impress the importance of Star Wars on Calvin at an early age. The goal is to have a good collection of toys and memorabilia going for him the time he understands how awesome Star Wars is. Some parents set up college funds in order to help their kids to get a head start in life; we're making sure he has a good Star Wars collection. I think he'll have a leg up on everyone.
My favorite Christmas gift was visiting my mission president. He and his beautiful wife returned from the Chile, Osorno mission back in July and I swore I would go to their homecoming no matter what. However, I had a 3 week old baby and c-section and it just wasn't realistic to drive 11 hours so this was the first time I was able to visit them since I was a missionary. We visited with them and their adorable family. I just love them. They are such Christ-like people and make me want to do better just from being around them. I enjoyed reminiscing about old mission companions and it made me miss being a missionary and being so involved in the Lord's work. They are probably coming to Arizona in March so I am counting down the days
Such a wonderful Christmas! I'm so grateful for such loving family and friends that make life so sweet and full of joy.
Jesse, Calvin, and I did our own little Christmas a couple days after we got home from Utah. Calvin got a lot of new puff cereal and fruit mush to try out. It fun to see him try new things and how insistent he is about getting more of whatever food we introduce to him. Jesse got me a drawing tablet for Christmas. I am so excited to start researching and learning how to do digital paintings and whatnot. Digital paintings are cool but I'm most excited about the whatnot.
This Christmas couldn't have been any better. I love the Christmas season and I'm always a little sad when I have to take down all my glittery decorations.
Preface: There are a lot of pictures, I'm sorry. I just loved them all.


Jesse setting up the Lego train. Calvin is very interested.

Helping dad put up Christmas lights

Jesse and his a cappela boy band group were invited to sing at the temple for Christmas, they sang seven songs and it was beautiful! They also sang at the Higley Community Christmas Concert, but it was in a chapel so I didn't think it was appropriate to take pictures but it was so much fun. "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear" Elf

I was hoping for a white Christmas up in Utah, but it was just cold.

He didn't love the cold ground

Chirpy baby

The whole Pettit Family

My amazing mission president and his sweet wife

The Nativity

Everyone putting on costumes

Jesse bet Carissa she couldn't fit her head through a child sized tunic. As she proceeded to prove him wrong she got stuck and Jesse started tickling her. She didn't love that.

Jesse's role was the donkey that brought the Kings to the baby Jesus. Someone asked why all three kings were on one donkey. His brother said the three wise men were going green this year so they were sharing a donkey. Jesse said that he was an especially environmentally friendly donkey a "pre-ass" We all had a pretty good laugh at Jesse's silly jokes.