Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve with some of our church friends, eating a candlelit dinner of fish, flatbread, pomegranates, pistachios, grape juice and olives.  As we ate we each shared something that we love about Jesus.  It was a simple but perfect way to reflect on our Savior's birth, life and mission while he was on the earth.  After dinner we acted out the nativity.

Noah was a sheep- 

Emma was an angel, Leah and Adam were wise men.  As most children's nativities go, it was a bit chaotic but so sweet to watch the miracle of the Christmas story broken down into it's most simple form.

And then at home the kids quickly got ready for bed, prepared their note and treats for Santa, and lined up to share their sibling Secret Santa gifts with each other.  

This is always one of my most favorite parts of the whole Christmas season- watching each of the kids experience the joy of giving to someone that they love the most.  Watching the sincere love, gratitude, and giants hugs that they share with each other is just the best.

Then it was off to bed, with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads, most of the kids dropped right off to sleep.  Poor Leah came stumbling into our room at 12:30 in tears, frustrated that she just couldn't fall asleep.  There is an awful lot of build up and anticipation that comes with Christmas morning, and we were finally almost there!

Deck the Halls

Starting with the tree, which the kids were so excited to decorate.

We keep Christmas books under our tree until Christmas Eve, when they are replaced with presents. 

 The stockings were hung by the chimney, as well as a homemade evergreen wreath.

 Garlands, 

and as many poinsettias as I could get my hands on!

More evergreen sprigs,

and more boughs of holly. 

More of our favorite Christmas books, 

 and nativities.

The elves have been busy at work, skipping around the house and keeping an eye out for good little girls and boys to tell Santa about.  They always end up surrounding baby Jesus before they head back to the North Pole- 

There is something so magical about the glow of Christmas lights-  

and the delight of Christmas boxes, apparently... 

Everything seems a little more joyful at Christmastime!

Grandpa!

Grandpa came to visit us, so we did a whole lot of this-

and this- 

 and this. 

Oh boy, and even more of this- 

He got to join us for Leah's first ever school concert- recorders and rounds!  Music class has come a long way since I was in it a few years ago, and it was actually pretty tolerable to listen to 85 kids playing Hot Crossed Buns on their recorders.  And having Grandpa there was an extra special treat!

He came to ordain Jason as a high priest, and arrived just after the official ward business of sustaining Jason as the bishop finished.  Having him with us was so special, and, like he said, we're so glad he "wouldn't miss it".

He was a huge distraction to the kids and I as the first few days of life with the bishop commenced.  We we are all too excited to have him here to visit to think much about the changes that are coming our way with Jason's new calling.

And, of course, just like that it was time for him to go again.  But we will never forget this special trip that Grandpa Mark came to be here with us!  (Or the way he tells silly stories about when he was "a little girl", the grateful way he eats anything I cooked for him, and the guy time that Jason only gets to enjoy when he's around!)

Merry Christmas to All!

Christmas cards, matching jammies, gingerbread houses... none of those things happened in our home this year, but we did spend many moments together celebrating our favorite season. 

Visiting Santa (I spy Grandpa!)

Caroling with Santa around the nursing home- 

and visiting with him at the church Christmas breakfast- 

No matter how old, in our house we believe.

Games and carols with some of our neighbor friends was an especially fun night

And by a Christmas miracle, no one was burned or spilled the wax from the candles, despite their being lit for almost an hour.  Carols by candlelight equals magic.

 Another ugly sweater/white elephant Christmas party was a hit!

 My homemade creation didn't win any awards, but it got a lot of laughs!

 We spent a few nights snuggled up around the fire watching our favorite Christmas movies-  

Adam's drawing was selected as a winner to be displayed at the fire station, so we made a big batch of cinnamon rolls and delivered them to the firefighters one night.

They were kind enough to give us a tour of the station and let the kids crawl all over the different trucks and ambulances.

  Checking out "the Santa house"- 

 Class Christmas parties- 

and Christmas concerts- 

Emma did a great job singing along with all of the songs, and acting like a duck in between.

She got to help with the jack-in-the-box.

Her two best school friends- Lexie and Leah.

 And another visit with Santa-  

 Snowman pancakes on Christmas Eve- simple things can be so exciting at Christmastime!

 

There was a lot that we didn't do this year (the things I mentioned above never happen, actually.  I love receiving Christmas cards but I have yet to send one of our own, and my kids are too darn picky about their pjs to even attempt making them wear matching ones on Christmas morning).  I don't know if it was the Thanksgiving trip to Utah, Jason getting called as bishop, my being released from Relief Society, or the need to make plans for our upcoming trip, but the days in December seemed to fly by, and we did our best to chase the Christmas spirit all the while.  As expected, I felt it most when we were serving others and singing our favorite Christmas carols.  But no matter how busy we got or how many Christmas to-do's we checked off the list, it still felt like the most wonderful time of the year!