We had a beautiful Christmas season this year! We've tried to keep the focus on Christ. With all of the commercialization and emphasis on the worldly things that isn't super easy.
We headed to visit family on Christmas Eve. On the way down, we read lots of Christmas books, sang Christmas songs, and I finished reading Charles Dicken's classic "A Christmas Carol". I've seen the play/movies several times, but never read it. It was a wonderful read, one everyone should read. My favorite line from the book was from Scrooge: "I will keep Christmas in my heart all year." I love the feeling, the special efforts everyone makes, and the happiness this time of year. But it doesn't just have to be at this time of the year, we can celebrate Christmas each day by celebrating Christ. We've also been enjoying the Church's Christmas website and their "He is the Gift" media campaign. We've watched lots of videos (Piano Guys one being the favorite we watched and listened to over and over) and taken some of the ideas to keep Christ in Christmas we've read from that.
We had our annual dinner and program with my Dad's side of the family. Everyone loves having little kids around again, thanks to us, ha ha! We had ham, turkey, rolls, and salads and visited around tables. It's fun to see everyone, I think it's been about a year since I've seen most of them. The program was nice. Cov's been working on saying "ho ho ho", and so we were going to have him do that, but forgot. Lucy did some cheerleading moves (with the help of her spotters Emma and Amber), Cal played "The First Noel" on the piano, and Emma played the bells with Grandma Di playing the piano and Amber. I played "The Christmas Song" on the flute and my mom played the piano. Dave and I did a photo booth photo op for our "talent" and then took pictures for people. That was quite a hit. I loved when Uncle Rex shared an experience about one Christmas when he was 23 and how he had to fill in for his Dad one year who got sick, who usually played the part of Santa and visited everyone on Christmas Eve each year. That got him started and he soon began serving others by being the Jolly Man. He talked about some neat experiences of faith, hope, joy, giving, the Priesthood, and prayer. We had some great guitar playing and singing (3 of my cousins did that), and I loved Aunt Lois' Christmas Card bingo game. Love my extended family and the traditions we share.
Then we zoomed through the toll road and on the freeway to Grandmother Sue's we went. It was Brian's birthday party, of course! This year, we had a smiley face pinata, which was pretty weak, so Dave of course Duct taped it up a bit, and then we let the whacking begin. Even Covey seemed to remember what to do and really hit it. All of the kids got to go just once, and then by the time we got to the Uncles, it was history. I love that Dave put the pinata head on his head and Randy was pretending to crack him open. Those boys still wrestle and fight (in a playful way) just like when they were younger. Too funny! Then, we had ice-cream cake and let the kids open their new pajamas. They all liked them - pink cheetah print/kitty for Em, camo for the boys, and pink and purple hearts for Lucy. I also got some sock money footie jammies for me and some red long-john underwear pajamas for Dave (they even had a flap, he he!). Before bed we read about Jesus' birth in the Bible. How great it is, how wonderful the story of His birth! I know He came as a babe in Bethlehem and is our King today. We finally got the kids to bed, then got out all of our stuff and wrapped presents, and went for a Slurpee run with Randy and Brian and Ryan (Brian's friend). Sorry about the blurry pictures, I forgot to turn on the flash!
Christmas morning, we woke up to a beautiful white Christmas! It was perfect! And the kids woke up at 8! I think this must be a Christmas miracle, because usually it's about 4 a.m.! We lined them up, as was tradition in Dave's family growing up, and they went to go check out their new swag. The kids were so excited! For their main presents, Emma got a Nerf bow and arrow, Cal got a remote control 4-wheeler, Lucy got a Merida bow and arrow, and Cov got a little baby tablet. From Dave and I, the boys got stuff to make a tee pee for their camping room, and the girls got a canopy to make an under the sea reading loft, cotton candy machine, games, and a few other things. We also got our nativity. Each year we get a new one, this year was a cute gingerbread one. They loved it all and had so much fun playing with the new stuff. Then we opened all of the presents from grandparents and family. Jerry and Stacy and crew got there at 10, and big hugs were exchanged and we opened the adult gifts we exchange and cousin gifts. Spoiled, these children are! Stacy and Jerry made the kids a cool gift, they had a fort kit they put together. Stacy sewed little bands on the corners of sheets, and gave them rope, clamps, and clothespins. Then they gave them all books and a stuffed animal that matched the books to go with it. So creative and cute! The kids loved the peg dolls we painted for them, and Dan and Sue enjoyed the nativity I made for them. Cal got Jerry the Poo Pourri Master Crapsman set, which everyone thought was hilarious, and I got Dan a weather station, which he enjoys using. Todd made Dave a wooden chest, which was neat, and filled it with some peanut butter and chocolate goodness, and Julie got me some of my favorite stuff - Vanilla Bean noel, infinity scarves, and Mindy Mints. We then made pancakes for breakfast, with all the fixings...tasty, tasty Christmas food! We all played with the new toys and games more, and then in the afternoon, we acted out the Christmas story. There was a script in the Friend magazine that had parts we used. Emma helped me get together props and costumes at home and we brought those down. Tayla was Mary, Cal was Joseph, Cov was Jesus, Emma was the angel, Lucy was a sheep, Kaison was a wiseman, Brody was asleep, Uncle Jerry a shepard, and Uncle Brian the Innkeeper. The kids (and Uncles) did so well, and it brought the Spirit to our Christmas celebrations. It was a sweet and happy time! We all agree this is something we want to keep doing, now they're old enough! We had a ham dinner together that night, and then we headed over to Mark and Mayela for games and goodies. We generally go to my parents on Christmas, but they left to Michigan to see my brother and fam that morning. We played Cranium Cloode, and Sherriff of Nottingham. The kids ran around and played. It was a great way to end a perfect Christmas! That night, we read more about Jesus in the New Testament. I'm so thankful Christ came to this earth in such a humble way, and demonstrated humility throughout his life. I hope I can be like Him someday, with His help! I love Him! He lives! He is truly the gift, not just for this season, but for all seasons!
The day after Christmas, we met up with some of my friends from high school. We got to go to Mikie's parents house (just like the good old days) and had breakfast together and caught up. I'm such a lucky girl to have such great friends who still keep in touch. They are amazing!
Later that day, Lucy, Emma and I went with Grandma Sue to go shopping and get out of the house. We had to check out the clearance deals, right!? Lucy kept saying "I want that!" Didn't she just get about everything the day before? Note to self: never take a tired 3-year-old to the store right after Christmas, he he! We had a big talk about being grateful for what you have and the difference between wants and needs after that. :) We just relaxed, played games, and played with family that day. The next day, we did some Costco and other shopping and were thrilled to see gas at 1.99! It was good to be in Utah with everyone. We went home and it was snowy, snowy! We were sad that we couldn't stop at Amy & Kolby's, but were worried that the roads would close. But we planned for the next week. It was a wonderful holiday and a great time together! Merry Christmas!
