Merry Christmas 2010

This has been a great Christmas for us this year.  I have loved having the kids here at home.  It is so nice to have more freedom and not have to be a slave to homework and schedules. 

For the past couple of years our family and our friends the Robisons have done the 12 Days of Christmas for different families.  It has been a highlight of ours each year.  This year has been extra special for us I think.  Our dear friends the Rudolph's that lived across the street from us were the recipients of our Christmas "doorbell ditching".  They moved several months ago, but we have stayed in contact with them.  We were so shocked to hear that dear Randy had passed away about 1 month ago.  It shook us up terribly.  Immediately my heart went out to Dee and her girls.  I knew they would be the ones we would surprise with our little gifts. 

We had a great time buying and preparing our gifts for the Rudolph's.   We split up the nights with the Robisons and were anxious to start the 12 nights of sneaking.  We had lots of fun things for them,  games, activities, goodies, a couple of DVD's, a book and a few more fun things.  When it was our time to make the deliveries, it was always something fun for the kids to do.  Spencer was always the first to jump up be ready to go with Steve to doorbell ditch.    On the last night we all went together to deliver.  On Dee's porch was a large wrapped gift with a sweet message on it... "With friends like you who needs Santa.  Thanks for thinking of us during this really hard time for our family.   We love you"  We went in and gave hugs and shared some tears.  My heart broke for Dee.  I can't imagine how sad she and the girls must be.  I really hope that our children will remember how good it feels to share and lift those that are down trodden and sad.  This is what Christmas is all about.  This experience has definately been the highlight for me.  Her gift to us was this great painting of Santa Claus.  This will help us remember our Christmas with the Rudolph's and the dear friends they are to us.

Christmas Eve night was a fun night for us.  We had the Mason's, Bill, Susan, Whitney, and the Robisons over for dinner.  I made a nice dinner which everyone  helped with and enjoyed.  After dinner we all gathered downstairs and relived the Nativity.  Every child was dressed in whatever costume we could find  and we read and sang about the birth of the Saviour.  It was a great time and we all loved the time together.  Tera surprised me with such a sweet gift- a labor of love.  She gave us a start of our own nativity costume set.  I was so touched by this gift of love.  I know how much time this would have taken especially when she was already so busy trying to finish other major projects of her own at home.  I will cherish these always and hope to follow her example and compete the set. 


Christmas Day!!
The kids woke us up  about 7:00 and we all went down together to see if Santa had made it.   Sure enough he didn't forget us.  We were all excited!!  Even I was a bit amazed at all the presents under the tree.  Steve and I  wanted to keep it simple, but we don't always stick to that as much as we say we will.  Most of what Santa brought revolved around our upcoming trip to Duckcreek.  Lots of boots and warm clothes were opened.  There was the not so original, socks, underwear, pajamas, and toothbrushes but some surprises as well. 

As you can see Spencer is ready for his new pj's. can't wait to get them on.

Steve went above and beyond and surprised me with an unbelievable camera AND video camera!!! That is a lot.  I am so excited to learn  how to use both of these new toys.  Our video camera died years ago and the only camera we have doesn't take the best photos, so I am thrilled to have these.  I feel like I have missed so much of our children's lives and it makes me so sad.  I can't change that now but will hopefully learn from my mistakes.  My goal is to learn how to use them and capture the memories all the time now.

I think the favorite gifts are the wii hunting and Just Dance games.  We have already played for hours.

 Steve called Bill Skousen over to play today as well.  It was pretty hilarious to see him get so into it. We spent the day hanging out and spending time together .  I loved being home with the kids and having Steve home with us.  Later in the evening we went to Tera and Mike's.  We took some of our tamales and helped them eat all their treats.  Mike and Steve picked oranges for their trip to Utah, and then we all played Banagrams.  It was a great and fun Christmas.  I hope now that we can go enjoy playing in the 7 feet of snow in Duckcreek tomorrow.