Christmas Joys

Christmas Eve is always spent with the Gold family. We missed Grammy and Papa, who decided to celebrate the holidays in Alaska this year with Ann and Jason, but we still had a rockin' good time at Jim and Clarka's house. The food was plentiful and the company great. There were a lot of people there! Santa made a surprise visit, which the kids loved. He gave everybody in the room a gift. And of course, Christmas Eve wouldn't be complete without the kids reenacting the nativity. Sophia and her cousin Ashley were in charge of gathering costumes and giving out the parts. They did a great job.

Sophia left Santa a letter this year.

And believe it or not, Santa wrote back.

Christmas morning came a little too early. The kids had been instructed to NOT set that early alarm. But they didn't listen. Matt tried to be a scrooge and shout bau humbug! But that only made the kids giggle and try even harder to get us out of bed. It ended up being a good thing waking up early, since we wanted to be sure to have time to open presents and eat a yummy Christmas morning breakfast before heading off to church. 

Matt got a new electric razor. Tonya loved the new skirt Matt got her. Rylie was so excited to get a new red pea coat. Sophia loved her cake pop maker. Eli was in heaven after he opened his new electric guitar. And Ivy was in Barbie heaven. 

It was a great morning. And it was wonderful to attend church services on Christmas day as well. I was impressed with how full the congregation was. And the program touched my heart.

After church we headed off to Grammy and Papa Tripp's house, where the festivities continued. 

It was a wonderful day.

The entire week before Christmas a little elf kept leaving different parts of this sweet nativity on our door step, along with a scripture and some treats. On Christmas morning we found baby Jesus who completed the nativity. I loved this. The kids loved it, too. It was wonderful to be the recipient of such a thoughtful gift. I have to wonder of this little Christmas elf knew that our nativity broke two Christmases ago and that we really did need a replacement. This will be just perfect. 

So, thank you! 

And Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.