Christmas 2011

Christmas is all about family and traditions to me. I have to be honest and say that my favorite part of Christmas is actually our Christmas Eve traditions. We each get to open a gift on Christmas Eve. What is in those gifts is never a surprise, as we all look forward to our new pj's. After they are opened, we all go and change into them and gather around to listen as we tell the Christmas story from Luke. Every year that is when in truly feels like Christmas.

What follows is also tradition, the putting the kids to bed. Waiting for them to come downstairs, just one more time for something, and back up they go. Once we are assured they are asleep, the wrapping begins. Why I never can get things wrapped before Christmas Eve is a wonder, but there it is, and every year it manages to get done.

This year Christmas morning was even more crazy than normal as we still have all 6 puppies (they weren't ready to be sold yet) so before all of the festivities began we had to get the puppies out, play with them, clean up their beds, and get them back in before they could attack unwrap the presents. :)

Next, we get to take part of a virtual Christmas morning with whatever family is up and ready to go. We log onto Oovoo, and this year were able to video chat with my parents and my Aunt and Uncle who are visiting them, and my sister and her family. It was so much fun, and a bit crazy, but a neat way to be able to share the fun and excitement that the kids have.

After that, we got ready for Church were we were treated to a wonderful choral presentation by our ward choir that I truly loved. Back home for our traditional dinner and then to our friends, the Smith's for games and more visiting. While we are not with our families, we are spread out over several states, I love that I do have friends here who are like family to me and we are able to spend holidays with them as well.

I truly hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well. I am truly thankful for my Savior and that we are able to worship him and to celebrate his birth.