Christmas Day

Christmas day finally came!

Before we start opening presents we usually read our gifts to the Savior.  This year we also read the last chapter of the Book of Mormon.  We had finished reading it again as a family, how perfect to finish this book that is a testament of Jesus Christ on the day that we celebrate His birth.  It was the perfect way to start our Christmas day.

The excitement was heavy when we finally let the kids go downstairs. 

Santa didn’t disappoint and everybody was happy with what he brought them.  Make-up for Emma and Legos for Isaac and Grace.

My favorite part of present opening are the stockings.  So many fun little things in those stockings!

We followed the want, need, wear and read formula for gifts again this year. Each kid got one a gift that fell under each category.  They all got coats for their need.

New books are always good presents.

Grace was thrilled with her sewing kit as her want.  She was especially excited about the purple tomato.

Isaac was beyond excited about his walkie talkies.

Emma just got more that she could wear for her want gift.  Isn’t more clothes just what a 15 year old girl wants?

Lee was happier than you might think about his church socks, and he loved the Superman hat the kids got him.

Lee and Emma had worked together to get me some cute boots.

Then it was time for the kids to exchange their gifts to each other.  Emma gave Grace another one of her old toys that she has been saving for her.  This dog has been very well taken care of by Grace since Christmas.  It was the perfect gift for her.

Isaac was determined to build Emma a Dr. Who Tardis as his gift to her.  He thought of that all on his own.  I had already bought Emma a Tardis ornament but decided that Isaac could give it to her instead.  He paid me some money for it and couldn’t wait to give it to her!

Isaac liked the Bey Blades that Grace bought bought for him, but I don’t have a picture.  Isaac also couldn’t wait for Grace to open the gift he worked so hard to make for her.

She loved it!

After we were done opening presents we ate a yummy breakfast and just relaxed and played for the rest of the morning.

That afternoon we went to Granny and Grandpa’s house to exchange gifts there.

We all got a good laugh when Kaitlin opened her present from us.  I had bought her a blanket but I wasn’t sure about the color so I asked my mom to pick up a different one for me just in case.  Well, she gave that extra blanket to Kaitlin forgetting why she had bought it.  Typical Granny at Christmas time! 

It’s ok, we still love her and she and Dad were happy with the cool family tree we gave them.  I want one for our house now!

More playing and relaxing happened at Granny and Grandpa’s. 

Then we headed to Grandma Dorothy’s for Christmas dinner.  As always it was delicious!  We enjoyed the evening with her. The kids played with their toys and we played the new game that the Myers’ gave us.

What great day!  It was low key, fun and spent with family.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve this year started a little different than usual.  First of all, Lee had to work during the day, which we weren’t used to.  And our friend Jerry Falardeau had passed away the week before and his funeral was on Christmas Eve morning.  MyLiege and I decorated for the luncheon the day before, then I went to the funeral on Christmas Eve, then went back to the church to clean up after the luncheon.  It made things a little more stressful than I would have liked on Christmas Eve, but there is no way I wouldn’t have helped the Falardeau’s.  Both Sharon and Jerry have done so much for us, they were worth the extra service on Christmas Eve.  The funeral was beautiful and a wonderful reminder of why our Savior was born.  It added such a special spirit to my day.

The kids were happy to watch Christmas movies while I was gone.  I was surprised to find Isaac and Grace so engrossed in White Christmas with Emma and Kaitlin.  They loved it!

The best part of Christmas Eve came when we got to talk with Sister Evans in Japan.  It was so fun to hear her and see her.  It was hard to believe she would be home in less than a month!

We may have talked with Tenley a little too long, so after we were done we quickly decorated some Christmas cookies. 

After the cookie decorating we ate a simple dinner of soup and bread while we watched The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert from 2013.  We didn’t enjoy the guest performer as much as in years past, but we loved the story of how Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol.  It was especially fun that even the twins totally followed the story since we have read A Christmas story every year since they can remember. 

We also got a preview of our nativity play to come later in the evening with a visit from some shoulder angels.

Then it was time for the real acting out of the nativity.  This year Lee gave up his usual role of the narrator and Grandpa got it.  I think he was happy to not be the donkey as usual.  Gracie made a beautiful Mary, and Isaac was an attentive Joseph. 

Grandma Dorothy gave a darn good performance of the innkeeper.  I love that she is so willing to participate. 

Lee took the role of shepherd very seriously and he was definitely sore afraid.

We were a little short on wise men, but Emma and Granny made good ones.

Isaac and Grace look forward to this acting out of the nativity.  The spirit was felt. 

Even though things got a little irreverent at times…

Then it was time for the kids to open their Christmas pajamas.

And to sprinkle reindeer food on the front lawn and set out cookies for Santa before Isaac and Grace headed off to bed.

They fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.  The rest of us worked to put together a puzzle that was harder than it looks. 

I love our Christmas Eve traditions.  We don’t do anything fancy and it is pretty quiet, but I love the focus on family and on our Savior.  Just what Christmas should be about.  We were ready to celebrate even more the next day!