We were able to spend all of Christmas at "home" this year and enjoyed being with our families! Christmas is such a magical time with children. I love spoiling them and seeing their joy in every little thing.
Christmas Eve was our traditional party at Matt's parents complete with the Nativity, bell playing, singing, a visit from Santa and the Grinch, Jesus's birthday cake, and bingo! Karen goes to a lot of work to make it fun for the kids and to be sure they know why we are celebrating and not just focusing on the excitement and presents. Each year it is tradition for each of us to light a candle and give a gift to Jesus, then we sing happy birthday and the kids blow out the candles. This year Brooke's gift was to not throw a fit when mom and dad say no. Cole's was to not kick his dad's seat in the car. Bailee is going to go nicely to nursery every week ;) (mom helped her). Matt's gift is to have FHE every Monday and mine is to continue to attend the temple every month. I love this part of Christmas as it gives us all something to work on, kind of like New Years Resolutions, but they mean so much more. I love hearing as the kids are getting older that they realize what they are giving Jesus and trying harder to be like Him. I love hearing each Christmas Eve how our gifts as adults have improved our lives and how each new year brings us something more to work on.
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| Happy Birthday Jesus |
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| Singing the Christ Child song |
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| Grinch was not such a hit with the kids. They were terrified. |
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| The whole nativity |
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| Shepard Grandma and Wisemen David and Cole |
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| Mary and Baby Jesus |
Wow! Your Pictures look identical to mine.
ReplyDeleteI loved all the things you said. Thats what in my heart too, but I am not nearly so elequant.