Our Little Family: Christmas 2014

Oh how I love Christmastime. The girls are at such fun ages where everything is so magical, and they also understand what the season is truly about. Having a newborn son this time of year gave me greater love and appreciation for Mary. I admire her willingness to carry and give birth to the Son of God in the humblest of circumstances. Her faith never wavered as she knew the part she played in God's great plan. The Church released a beautiful video that taught how the first gift of Christmas was not wrapped or bought in a store, but it was a gift from a Father to all His children. It is a gift of love, hope, peace, and joy. The end of the video encourages us to discover the gift, embrace the gift, and share the gift. We loved watching this several times and trying to remember where our focus should be during the holiday season. I have to add that when the girls saw the video, they asked if the sweet baby Jesus was Jack. They do look a lot alike. :)

As usual, it was a busy time of year! Me with extra Relief Society responsibilities, and James with finals, but we enjoyed lots of time reading, talking, giving service, making, eating, and delivering treats, shopping, wrapping, and reflecting on the joy of the season, and our many blessings.

Buddy was back again, and the girls loved finding him each morning, telling him about their day, and hoping he would observe them doing good deeds. He was not up to as many shenanigans this year...he must've been more tired this year. ;)

Two nights before Christmas, the girls had a sleepover in front of the Christmas tree. Claire ended up in her own bed, but the other two had fun in their sleeping bags.

On Christmas Eve, we drove around and looked at the Christmas lights after dinner. Right before bedtime, there was a knock at the door, and a special gift was delivered from "Santa's Elf". The girls were so excited and the box was full of fun gifts like colorful striped and polka dot socks, books, blankets for Jack, pancake mix and buttermilk syrup, hot chocolate, and a couple other things. It was such a fun surprise that made us feel so special.

Super early on Christmas morning (I think around 3 a.m.) Avri came in and said she couldn't sleep, she also told me that the wrapping paper we hang across the hallway entrance to hide the tree and Santa's visit had fallen down. I asked her if Santa came and if she caught a peek. She told me what she saw and then helped me tape the wrapping back up before heading back for a bit more sleep. I was sad her big Christmas morning surprise had been ruined a bit, but oh well, she was still excited.

We enjoyed giving and opening gifts, playing, and then we headed down to brunch. As usual it was wonderful and delicious. Of course we missed Grandma and the special touches she adds, but we all loved being together. We ate, shared gifts, visited, played games, and the cousins acted out the Nativity. That evening we headed to my Mom's for dinner. We had a nice dinner, shared more gifts, played games, and visited. We spent the night enjoyed the next morning and part of the afternoon together the next day.