reasons i love the holidays

• so much good food--english toffee, almond tea bread (still trying to convince mom this is a must-make), mock chicken legs on christmas eve, creamed corn,thumbprint cookies with melty hershey kisses, and lots and lots of hot cocoa.
• christmas lights--multicolored lights are my favorite, though classic white icicles are nice too. the riverwoods went all out this year with their trees and i LOVE it. and, of course, temple square is always a must see. it wouldn't be christmas time without a visit to downtown salt lake.
• christmas cards and letters--it is fun to get the different letters and pictures from various friends and family. many of them we don't see on a regular basis, so catching up on family news, even if only in a superficial way, is a ritual our family looks forward to every year. also, i have been the designated beesley family christmas letter writer for the past seven years or so, and even though i usually have to schedule writing time during finals, i love writing it and remembering how awesome my family is.
• christmas movies--so many good ones, from white christmas to home alone (1 and 2, in my opinion) to the holiday. also, while you were sleeping--great in itself, but takes place at christmas which = doubly awesome.
• gift hunting--nothing better than knowing you've gotten them something they are going to love. hehehehe
• christmas music--i don't know why, but for some reason this year i don't feel like i've listened to enough yuletide carols. so i have a few days (and however long i feel like extending the holiday season...) to listen to my favorites. like the carpenters (i bought their complete christmas portrait set this year), amy grant, shedaisy (so good), and point of grace. and the new michael buble christmas album is also lovely. also never to be forgotten: the mormon tabernacle choir christmas concert. blows me away every year.
• spending time with my family and friends. on sunday night the six of us sat around the fire for probably two hours just talking and laughing, and i know the rest of the break is going to be filled with more of the same. and i can't wait to see my utah friends outside of p-town :)

merry christmas eve!