The Child's own version of the Christmas village rests on the kitchen counter.
There's a fire station, grocery store, ballroom and the chef cooking the holiday feast. The holiday collection is made entirely of Lego sets that were built by Matthew Child, who has become a veteran builder at a young age.
"I have been doing them since I was like 4," said Matthew, who lives in North Ogden.
What's unusual about the 9-year-old Lego builder is that most of the kits he has completed are designed for ages 16 and older. Some of the sets of building blocks contain several thousands pieces, and the instruction manuals can be as large as books.
This year alone, he has added the "Star Wars" Death Star to his portfolio and a village bakery to the Christmas village.
"I do, like, maybe 10 a year," said Matthew.
Death Star
There are Indiana Jones kits, Halo figurines and a fleet of "Star Wars" aircraft.
"The Death Star probably took him almost a month (to build)," said Debbie Child, his mother.
She was worried when the giant box was opened to reveal the instruction manual to build it had 200 pages. Every day, including weekends, he spent building the project step-by-step. If he was asked to come eat, his response was always, "One more page."
His mother did everything she could do to help. She separated the pieces into color-coordinated piles so they were ready for him. There were several Lego piles scattered across card tables and counters.
"I was worried about the Death Star," she said. "I was kind of worried he would lose interest. But he didn't. He just went forward."
Matthew knows the ins and outs of each set -- such as where the trap doors of the Death Star are located so that Luke Skywalker and friends can escape the trash compactor or battle Darth Vader.
Yet, these aren't toys to him.
"He'd have a fit if they get broken and he is telling his friends, 'Just look, don't touch. I have worked hard,' " said Debbie Child.
Once the sets are completed, they are placed in closets, bedrooms and even become part of the Childs' holiday decor. That's still not enough room -- they have had to dismantle a couple of sets.
"Depends if I need the space," said Debbie Child. "I am trying to keep them together, but I am running out of room."
Legoland
When the Childs took a vacation early this year to Disneyland in California, they found a perfect side trip for Matthew -- Legoland.
"He loved Legos so much and we had to get him there. It was well worth it," said Debbie Child. "The first thing he wanted to do was the gift shop."
Legoland is an amusement park in Carlsbad, Calif., with rides, interactive exhibits and, of course, lots and lots of Legos.
"And they had the whole world made of Legos. They had a Statue of Liberty and they even had the houses," said Matthew. "They have Lego race cars you can race."
The Childs have their own version of Legoland at home -- sans the carnival rides.
There's sentimental value among the building bricks, especially with the Green Grocer in the Christmas village.
"We own a grocery store, so the grocery one was kind of exciting to get," said Debbie Child. The family owns the Wangsgard's store in Ogden.
This was the second holiday season they have added onto the village.
"We will do it every year now," said Debbie Child.
It's a hobby the family encourages and helps -- as long as Matthew gets to build it.
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