Merry Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, I made a Chicken Enchiladas for dinner. After cleaning up, we gathered in the living room and Mike read from Luke 2 in the Bible (the Christmas Story). In between verses we sang some songs.

Next, we went downstairs and played a white elephant game. This has become a tradition at our house. In the center of the floor we placed enough gifts for everyone to have one. Each person drew a number and that was the order in which we were to take and open a gift. Cameron got to start. He ended up with a train set. Corban really liked that train set and waited patiently for his turn to pick a gift.

As the game goes, when it is your turn, you have the option of picking out a wrapped gift from the pile, OR taking one from someone who has already opened one. Cari chose to open a new gift.

Trevon took away the candies I had opened...REALLY, I was glad about that...who needs 'em!

I got to choose again, and ended up with a piggy bank - just what I wanted!!! When Corban's turn came around, he took the train!

By the end of the game, everyone had something they were happy with. We filled a table with different snacks and goodies and watched the "Santa Clause" movie before heading to bed.

When the kids woke on Christmas morning, they found NEW stockings were hung for them.

 I put a breakfast casserole in the oven and the kids came upstairs to see what was waiting for them by the Christmas Tree.

 New bikes for Cameron, Elise and Corban were the first things they noticed...

 ...then Mike passed out the gifts and we opened them together.

 We ate breakfast and got dressed for church. The boys had a little time to enjoy some of their gifts.

 We had a nice Christmas Program at church. I led the choir in singing almost a dozen different songs. Cari played her flute while we sang "Silent Night." A narration of the Christmas Story was spoken between musical numbers. I loved going to church on Christmas Day. When we returned home we had a turkey dinner and some apple pie with ice cream for dessert. We enjoyed visiting on the phone with loved ones and spending time together.

One of the movies Santa brought was "The Testaments: Of One Fold and One Shepherd." It is a favorite of our family and we watched it together. How thankful we are to have a Savior, even Jesus Christ, and for the special day in which we were able to reflect on His birth and life. It was a very happy day for us.

We asked our family to write down what they liked about Christmas this year. Here are the responses:

* Spending quality time with family; The ward choir program; watching my kids grow up and learn to appreciate Christmas more. Mike
* Sewing stockings for each family member; Attending church on Christmas Day to worship our Savior through music. Shelly
* That so many people thought of others (usually the kids don't get gifts for anyone other than the person they draw). Cari
* CHURCH. Trevon
* I loved the bright smiles on all of our faces - the smiles stayed all day. Sadie
* I got to spend so much time with my family and got to know my family better. Kristi
* The funny movie, Santa Clause; I love the laughter. Cameron
* The presents. Elise
*Trains; Sleep when Santa was here. Corban

Leading Up to Christmas

Most of our December happenings will be told through the following pictures. The calendar was completely covered with all that has happened this past month, but here is a glimpse of SOME of what we did:

The kids did a great job decorating the Christmas Tree...

I loved having the tree lit up with all of the houselights turned off. It was a beautiful sight! My favorite ornaments are those depicting the Nativity.

 We had a Ward Christmas Party with a nice dinner and program at the beginning of the month. The kids put on a little play of the Nativity. Cameron was a shepherd, Elise was an angel, and Corban was a cat. I'd never seen a cat in the nativity before, but as soon as the curtain opened, Corban yelled, "Hi Mom; Hi Dad; I'm a CAT!!!" In some ways that "cat" of ours stole the show with his "meows" and such. After singing some songs, Santa Clause appeared and the kids took turns sitting on his lap.

We had a problem with mice at the beginning of the month. We caught a few with traps and then found a few "baby" mice running around. I think they were missing their parents. Mike caught and released a baby, then caught two more and decided to make a playpen for them - UUUGGHHH!!! Kristi was especially excited about having a new pet. I still can't believe this happened - THE MICE BELONG OUTSIDE!!!

On December 14th Trevon had a band concert. It was WONDERFUL! The BEST concert I've ever seen at the high school. I was amazed at the transformation that has taken place, thanks to the new teacher that was hired. One person CAN make a difference in the world and influence others for good.

The very next day, Kristi and Sadie both had orchestra concerts. I enjoyed them as well. They really put me into the Christmas mood. Christmas would not be the same without the wonderful music that accompanies it!

On December 17th, I went to Salt Lake City with Grace Notes, a singing group I perform with. We had a great time. We performed twice at the Dickens Festival in SLC on Saturday. (Earlier in the month we sang at the Dicken's Festival in St. George).

 

It was fun to shop at the festival and meet new people. Later in the evening, we went to Temple Square and sang in the North Visitor's Center for an hour. For one of our numbers I sang a solo titled, "Do You Have Room" by Shawna Belt Edwards. It is a beautiful Christmas song that I love sharing with others. Click on the title above to hear it on YouTube.

  While at Temple Square, I took some pictures of the beautiful Christmas lights. There were HUNDREDS of people there. A nativity scene was on the lawn and periodically lights and narration would play, telling of the story of Christ's birth.

 

 On Sunday we went to the Primary Children's Hospital and sang there as well. This was where I became emotional as I saw some of the children there who were patients. It was a special place to be. It helped me to count my many blessings. Below is a group of everyone who was with Grace Notes for our SLC tour. Shaeli Bettridge (flute), Shelly Jacobson, Rachael Nielson (violin), Nielson (page turner), Britta Nielson, Shelly Beutler, Celeste Shamo, Shani Dutton, Janine Wertz (piano), Kia Willard, Jacob Nielson (Cello), and in front, Jessie Barraclaugh (percussion).

 

Cari returned home from college and taught us how to make chocolate covered peppermint pretzels.  The kids shared some of these with their teachers. They took bread and jam to some of our neighbors and we also made a brownie mix in a jar to give away to others for Christmas.

 

On the Friday before Christmas, we decided to make and decorate sugar cookies for fun. The girls made the dough and everyone got an equal amount to "play" with. 

The older kids helped the younger kids when they needed it and everyone enjoyed themselves.

The kids were very creative in their decorating of their cookies...Mike decided to have a little decorating contest and decided on different categories to "award" them with.

Look at these amazing cookies! We have some very artistic children at our house! It was hard to choose a favorite. Mike had each of us vote individually for our favorite.

The winner on the "People's Choice" award was Elise! Her snowflake cookie was the favorite of the night.

 In all, there were twelve categories to be "awarded" by Mike, who was the judge for this contest.

Corban won the "It POPs" award; Elise won the "People's Choice," and "Most Spiritual Theme" awards; Cameron won "Best Ornament Cookie," and "Most Life-Like" awards; Kristi was amazingly artistic and won "Best for Eating," and "Best Use of Color" awards; Sadie won "Best Design," "Most Detailed" and "Neatest Cookie;" Trevon was awarded the "Best Cookie for Santa;" and Cari won the "Most Original" award for an ornament cookie she made without a cookie cutter.