I think that every Christmas season that passes we are getting better at focusing our time and the season around Christ. We did a 12 days of Christmas count down that focused on Christ and his life, mission and example.
We always do some regular things during the season to help us get in the spirit: the First Presidency Christmas devotional, school Christmas concerts, making gingerbread houses, reading Christmas stories, taking the kids shopping, visiting with Santa, baking cookies/treats, Legislature lights and the ward Christmas party. We enjoyed it all this year. The temperatures made it sure feel like Christmas and making me want to just stay inside. But we still managed to go skating and sledding outside.
For Christmas Eve we had a "regular" dinner of salmon, baby bok choy, wild rice and salad. We did the pickle prize, then I read the story the Christmas orange and those chocolate oranges, we listened to Grandma and Grandpa share a few stories about their growing up years around the Christmas season, we watched the Church Nativity, and sang some carols together as Spencer played the piano. Finally before bed we all opened up new PJ's!
Christmas morning as usual started early for Megan. She got Aaron up and tried to head downstairs but we told them to both go back to sleep until 7am. So by around 7am we all made it downstairs for the opening of the stockings. We write letters to each other and take turns reading them on Christmas morning. We have been doing this tradition for 4 years now and it is neat to look back and remember all that has happened in those years. The kids all got a few smaller toys in their stockings along with some chocolate.
Then almost painfully we started the present opening. We try to keep it to one gift at a time and rotate between everyone getting a chance. It goes pretty good and we all get to see and enjoy each others gifts and excitement as they open them. The gift highlights for our family include a new Wii system. Megs and Evan got a new DS game and Aaron got a leap pad. All the kids got a electricity free make-your-own marble run game that they all really enjoy. Spencer got some running stuff and ties and I got some kitchen gadgets. We also got a new popcorn popper. The kind that goes on the stove and you turn the handle. I love that machine! It pops popcorn beautifully and really quickly!
Here is a gift that was probably the highlight of the gift giving this season. Our other Wii finally died so we have been patiently waiting to purchase this one.
Here the boys are playing with an "old fashioned gift". A real wooden do it yourself marble run. This has kept them all quite busy for awhile.
We got together with my brother and his family for a Christmas dinner which as delicious! It was a nice time to visit with each other since we really don't get around to seeing them very much. The temperature was extremely cold that week with temperatures dropping to near minus 30 degrees at night. Burr! The week after Christmas the temperatures improved so we got to go ice skating and sledding.
We really enjoyed our time and days that we got to spend together. We had a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas season.
