Cozy Christmas at home 2022!

We had a different but amazing Christmas this year! The kids decided they wanted to do Christmas at home this year, so that's what we did! 

On Christmas Eve, we cooked, read Christmas stories, made Christmas ornaments, and then Grandma and Grandpa Stoddard came up to celebrate with us. We decided to do a fondue night for dinner for a change. We had barbeque with little smokies, and then made a cheese fondue with broccoli, ham, french bread, potatoes, and zuchinni. Then we had chocolate and caramel fondue with all kinds of goodies and fruit. It was tasty and fun to do something new for Christmas Eve. We then incorporated some traditions from our growing up years. First, we did a program/talent show that we used to do with the Stoddards/Richins every Christmas Eve. Covey sang Mr. Grinch, Sydnie got shy and decided not to dance so we showed her video from her concert, the three older kids sang "Scary Flying Shark" caroling style, Grandma played an Away in a Manger/Braham's Lullaby medley on the piano, I talked about Stars and how the Savior is the Light of the World and how we can be stars for others, Dave said "Merry Christmas!" (but later told some dad jokes that made us laugh and cringe), and my Dad recited a poem he memorized in elementary school by Robert Lois Stevenson called Block City. Then we read some scriptures and listened to some Christmas music. After that, it was pinata time. Growing up, Dave's family always did a pinata on Christmas Eve for Brian's birthday. Emma made the pinata, and it turned out pretty cool and had some good construction behind it! We had a hard time breaking it! Finally after about rounds of each going at it 5 or 6 times, we cracked it open and out came the candy. I love the free for all at the end where everyone is diving for the candy, though we just put it in a big bowl for anyone to take. It was hilarious! And of course, Emma had to put the pinata on her head after, as per tradition. Then we said prayers and got ready for bed. Dave and I watched The Muppet Christmas Carol together and were up late, but we love that movie, golly. Grandma said Santa was a little noisy getting all the toys ready for these good girls and boys.

Christmas morning arrived and it was snowing - a white Christmas! The kids decided to see the presents after church. This was especially hard for Cov, but he did it! We had candy cane danish and egg and ham casserole for breakfast, got ready for Church and were there in time for Cal to prepare the sacrament. Our service was so warm and sweet. We sang a bunch of Christmas hymns together, Mom and I played "Angels We Have Heard On High/Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring "with her on the piano and me on the flute. That was special because we haven't been able to do that for a while, but did it lots growing up. Then the Bishop talked about the condescension of the Savior and read "The Living Christ".  My mom said so many people came up and talked to her after about how wonderful our duet was and so many talked to me and texted me too. After church, I made everyone take a picture. We went to the cemetary because they had big pine trees. Some of the kids said that was a little creepy, but then it was pointed out that because Jesus was born, we can be resurrected so it's actually a perfect spot. You couldn't tell we were at the cemetary, though, haha. Then we got home, and the kids lined up on the stairs. We always go oldest to youngest. Sydnie was first and she got a Sydnee knock off American Girl doll who was a dancer and a doll bunk bed. Covey was next and he got a magic set and a remote control boat. Lucy got a ukelele, a blanket and a basketball. Callahan got a green screen set and a guitar amp. And Emma got some gel nail polish, nail stamper set, and a slushy maker. And everyone got the same stocking stuffers (including Grandma and Grandpa) - some funny Christmas glasses, hot chocolate, candy filled candy canes, candy box, water snake, head massager, fuzzy socks, and book light. Then we opened presents - Sydnie gave us a cook book they put together in kindergarten that was sooo cute! And a sweet ornament. Covey made a Grinch tile for us. Then they gave a few other fun gifts. This year, we did a Penguin Patch store at the school for the PTO. The kids loved it and got to pick out things for loved ones so we got some of that. Then we did the sibling gift exchange. I love their excitement of giving to each other! Sydnie had Emma and we made her a tie dye art apron and got her some brushes and nice markers. Lucy gave Sydnie a bunch of toys from the Penguin Patch and a rock pet she made for her. Callahan gave Covey a pillow he made for him. Covey gave Lucy a bike liscence plate that says "Best Sister" and a bike for her dolls and a sweet card. Emma made Cal some things and got him a blue tooth beanie and gloves. We gave Grandma and Grandpa a photo book based around "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and they loved it! I gave Dave a personalized comb and socks with our faces on it and a card that said "I love you from head to toe". He got me a replacement camel for our large nativity!! I broke ours a few years back and was so sad I cried and cried. He actually put it out earlier this month but I didn't notice it (we have ours high up and I was too short to see it). So sweet! We played with the toys we got that morning. Then Amy's and Mark's families came over for lunch. We had chicken cordon bleu with rice and gravy, salad, Mom's pretty bear claw rolls, raspberry pretzel salad courtesy of Amy, and then a bunch of cookies Mom and Amber made and some baklava too. We were stuffed! Then we talked and played. Amy, my mom and I played some solos and duets and even recorded some songs to share. We don't have many recordings so decided to do that more. It was so fun to play together and made my heart so happy! We did a little program/scavengar hunt on the symbols of Christmas and how they point to Christ and sang some songs all together. Then Amy and Kolby's family left and Cov went with them to sleep over which he and Boji were so excited about! The rest of us sat around and talked and played. Then Mark and Mayela left and took Emma with them to spend the week with Amber. It was such a nice, cozy Christmas at home!