Christmas

Christmas this year was laid back and very low stress- just how I like it! Since we had just been down South, we stayed home this year and had a quiet Christmas (well, as quiet as you can with two lively boys). James was able to get some much needed overtime on Christmas Day, so we celebrated on Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful day. Beginning Dec. 1st we had been reading a Christmas story and singing a Christmas carol every night to the kids. I had carefully selected 24 stories that really illustrated the true meaning of Christmas, and we told the kids that when we ran out of books that would be the day we were celebrating Christmas. It was a fun tradition and definitely something to continue. There are so many beautiful stories out there to remind us of spirit of the holiday season. Reading these stories and singing carols throughout the monthspurred some great conversation and brought the Spirit into our home.

On our Christmas, we woke early and read the story of Christ's birth in Luke. The kids opened their gifts, and we had a nice breakfast. We spent the day playing with their new toys, watching movies, and eating. It was REALLY nice. We need to have more days put aside like this. Days to just "be."

Before

Like our creative wrapping job?

The boys' Batman sofa sleepers- very cool

Nothing says Christmas like The Hulk- they were on sale, I couldn't resist!

Savanna's gift from her Nan

These Hulk gloves are really funny- they say things when you punch things, like "Hulk SMASH!" or "You're making me angry! You won't like me when I'm angry!"

The Aftermath

The kids got some great gifts. Savanna ended up getting a bunch of drawing paper, colored pencils, rulers, etc. and a subscription to Architecture Digest. She is very into interior design, and spends a great deal of time drawing house plans. The boys got their couches, hulk outfits, and a couple of board games. Christmas. Check. Now on to the next holiday- Brad's birthday! Then I'll have a little break. :)

On Christmas day, we went a visited with an older sister in our ward. Her husband is in a care home, and she was going to be spending the day alone. We went and took her husband for a little walk, and then went back to her place and had a lovely dinner and played some board games. We enjoyed her company immensely, and hope to spend more time with her. The best part was the message it sent to the children. Savanna said to me, "This was one of the best Christmases ever. We've never done service on Christmas before. It seems like that is something we should do every year." I can't agree more. Isn't that what Christ would want for his birthday?