Christmas Eve was fun. Everyone was there but 2nd cousin Ryan & his kids, cousin Jessie and her fam, and Mark & Mayela (had to work). We had an "indoor picnic" which was fun to do. Then we had our usual program. Most people passed this year and the program was short and sweet. Cov had an accident and got his clothes wet for his talent. Lucy did some cheer leading stunts, assisted by Em and Amber, Emma played "Jingle Bell Boogie" on the piano, Cal played "Pat a Pan" on the piano, I played "O Little Town of Bethlehem" on my flute with Mom on the piano. A few shared some stories or shared their feelings on Christ or our family. I love this crazy family! It's always fun catching up.
We went then to do our pinata for Brian's birthday with the Ryerses. Cov got way into it this year, and the rest of the kids had a blast whacking the star pinata open. We had cake - spice cake and cheesecake and ice cream and celebrated Ryerse style.
A couple of years ago, we decided in the Stoddard family, my parents would take turns spending Christmas with us. So this year it was our turn to be with Grandma Di and Grandpa Scott. It was so nice sleeping over with them! The kids got their new jammies, we read some Christmas books, did our scriptures, and sent the kids off to slumber, which took a while. I stayed up talking to my mom for a
Christmas morning, the kids woke us up about 6, though they had been awake since 5. They were so excited! It was also a beautiful very white Christmas, as it had been snowing all night! Cov got his "FOOTBALL HELMET!" which he was so stoked about and told everyone he was getting one. He ran around in it all day yelling "Touchdown!" and "Go football!" It was so cute! Lucy asked for a Minnie Mouse house and played with that thing all day. Callahan got a blue flame acoustic guitar (he asked for an electric guitar, but Santa must have figured this was a good start) and he was strumming all day and kept asking Grandma Di, who plays, for more lessons. He learned a few chords and how to do a few things that day. Emma wasn't sure what she wanted. She asked for some kitty supplies and maybe a new church coat. When she was sitting on Santas lap, he asked her what she wanted and she said she wasn't sure. He posed the question to her "What will you give then?" And Emma told him about how we go and give of ourselves at the rest home and how that makes her feel good. That was a proud moment for me to hear her think more of others than herself. But she got a strawberry cat bed, which she thought was so cute! And an new grey pea coat for church, which looks adorable on her. Then they got their stocking stuffers. They got to open their presents from Grandma and Grandpa, which were a hit. I got Dave Disney's circle and a bunch of other circle things (giant Reeses, slinky, duct tape, circle ornament, yo-yo, rolo candys, etc). Unfortunately, we have to send the circle back to get a refund because it isn't Android compatable, which is the kind of devices we have. ;/ So we will get him something else. Dave's gift to me was so sweet. He gave me a paper voucher and said that for my gift, I get to choose either door number 1, 2 or 3. And he had pictures of a Cricut, a Silhouette, or a Rhumba vacuum. He said that each day when he walks through the "door", the best thing he sees is me and I always make him so happy and that I hold the "door" to his heart. I still haven't decided what I want, but I'm leaning toward the Silhouette or Rhumba. We also helped fill Grandma & Grandpa's stockings, which was a fun surprise for them. And we made them a picture frame with a picture of the prophet, with vinyl letters that say "We thank thee O God for a Prophet" and rosettes on them, though I forgot to take any pictures of them. We took a break from all of the gifting to have cinnamon rolls and hash browns for breakfast, which was so delicious! It was so full of fun! We played with the toys and gifts more.
Then, at lunch time, we left to go to the Ryerses to open gifts together. Everyone was there but Shirley, who was visiting in Canada. Always tons of gifts to go around. All of the boys (including the men) got mega Nerf guns (Julie was laughing that she never gets one so Emma accompanied Sue to the store the following day to get them for her and Tayla and Emma. The older girls got Monster high dolls, a hat and mitten set, and a gift card to Walmart. Lucy got a tutu, wings and light up wand and a Monster high doll as well. Stacy made all of the kids cute pillows and put them in new back packs. The kids loved their aprons I made for them and all of the art or baking supplies we gave to go with them. Julie got Dave and gave him a helicopter, and Brian got me and gave me a Vanilla Bean Noel body wash/lotion/body spray set. We had Shirley and Stacy and gave them some adult learners piano course books and some scrapbook supplies. It's fun to draw names and figure out the perfect gift for each other! We had a great afternoon playing card games, playing with Jerry & Stacy's familys new dog Shadow, shooting each other with the Nerf guns, playing with the new toys, trying to figure out how to fly the helicopter and shoot it down with the Nerf guns, and just being together.
That night, we went back to my parents house for Christmas dinner. We had a tasty dinner, of course, with my mom coking. And great company with Mark, Mayela and Amber, and Grammie. We played a bunch of board games, and sat around and talked and watched the kids. It was so laid back and fun and relaxing, the whole day and was so nice to be with all our extended family.
As I pondered over what a wonderful Christmas we had, I thought over the so many blessings that have come to my life as a result that the Savior was born. Without him, I wouldn't have anything. With him, I really have everything.
"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
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