On Christmas Eve we had a nice evening with my parents, brother and his wife and children. They came over to our house and we had a simple pizza dinner and opened a few gifts. It was nice to have them there as we gave them our gifts, since a lot of times we miss each other on Christmas Day. We even had Isaac over, which I think is the first time he has been over in a few years. My parents gave the girls a lot of books (which they LOVE to read) fairy dress up for Olivia, and a scripture case for Tabatha and stationary to write on. Ken and I even received a gift of a date night for next year (which we will be doing soon) and a family gift of a Discovery Pass (so we can use all the WA state parks without a fine). The girls opened only one gift from us, and that is the traditional homemade pajamas I made. They didn’t take them off until the day after Christmas.
Matt & Ilea and family got our gifts, and so did my parents. Along with dinner, we hope they enjoyed coming over.
We ended the night reading the Nativity out of Luke 2 and even the story of the wise men in Matthew 2. The girls asked a lot more questions than they have in the past, and I think it is because of our ward’s Journey to Bethlehem night that they are so interested. Thank you all who put that on.
We set out the homemade cookies for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer and we all went to sleep for the big day.
The next morning, the stocking were magically filled and Santa presents were on the couch. Here the girls are opening them up.
The girls got what they wishes for. Olivia got a Leapster 2, Alicia got an ipod with Hello Kitty headphones, and Tabatha has a new camera.
The girls continued to open and wore hair accessories from the DeCremers, opened homemade gifts from mom and dad (it was a homemade Christmas around here) and opened gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Hale who were unable to come over since they were in Eastern Washington with Ken’s sister.
We spent the day at home (the first in our 12 years of marriage) except for one quick trip to my parents by me to drop off a forgotten gift. The girls spent the day putting together headbands from a kit, listening to Selena Gomez on their new CD, Alicia couldn’t stop listening to her Ipod and looks like a teenager doing it. They wanted to make snow from their blizzard making kit, eat Christmas cookies, and play with all their new things. I even had some down time to call everyone in my family to wish them a Merry Christmas, even my own Grandma and Grandpa High who I don’t connect with enough.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures Tabatha took from her new camera of the day. Tabatha’s new infinity scarf and Peace sign necklace & Shirt & earrings (the shirt is over her pajamas so she wouldn’t have to take them off).
Peace signs are a big hit with Tabatha. She insisted on putting up her new Peace Sign in her bedroom, she even took this picture of it hanging right by her bed.
Alicia listening to her songs.
Olivia on her Leapster.
Me talking to Grandma High in Idaho.
We had Ken’s brother’s family over for dinner – the traditional ham, potato, rolls, devilled eggs, and orange jello salad. We had gluten free apple or pumpkin pie, or traditional sweet potato or french apple pie for dessert (topped with ice cream or whipped cream).
The kids couldn’t stop running around playing. We could barely get them to sit and eat. Tabatha got a few pics of them too.
I couldn’t have asked for a nicer family Christmas. If you weren’t here, I missed you but I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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