Christmas 2019

I like Christmas being a few days into the break, instead of right away, like it had been the previous recent years. We were able to deliver all of our neighbor and friend gifts (we delivered Yankee candles with the scripture reference from Matthew about being the light of the world) without feeling rushed. Many people loved it and commented on the beauty of it's message and the fragrance of the candles. I thought they went well with the Light the World campaign.

Our family got to work at a food bank on the 19th and prepped bags of potatoes to be handed out, as well as fill the carts that actually went to the people outside waiting for their portion of food. Austin and Erik had gone there for scouts, so they knew what to do and loved the service they gave. We also sang at a nursing home on Sunday, as is our usual caroling tradition with friends from the Ward.

Prepping the potatoes.

Onions.

Packing the carts.

Getting ready to put on the first bag.

Jason and I at the nursing home.

I can't believe how many holiday meals there were at school and work! I got to attend mine and was spoiled. Jason had a few at his work with different divisions. He brought his sweet potato recipe to one, got treated for one, and brought a pizza to the last one, since that's the one that was right before Austin's multi cultural lunch where Jason brought a pot of arroz con gandules to, a typical Puerto Rican dish. I made 2 dozen banana muffins for that as well because Austin loves them and wanted to share them at this event.

The spread at Austin's school.

The pink papers have the recipes on them, including ingredients for allergy purposes.

Meanwhile, Victoria was busy baking and decorating sugar cookies for her orchestra party, cupcakes, for another class, and prepping some cake I took home from work to bring to another. That doesn't even count Erik's second grade party on the last day, for which I only signed up to send in pretzels because I was tired of helping prep all the other food for everywhere else!

Speaking of food prep, Jason really impressed our friends with an authentic Puerto Rican meal on Christmas Eve. They are the McEwen family who we used to always trade off Thanksgiving dinner with when Erik was little and before he was born. They moved to China with Ford, where Kayla is from, then moved back again. We're getting back into eating with our "holiday family". Jason made a delicious pork tenderloin, arroz con gandules, pan de agua (I guess I made that), tostones, coquito (PR egg nog), and the dressing for the salad that Kayla brought the veggies for so we could make this PR salad with cabbage, green onions, radishes, tomatoes, and avocado. I made a flan.

I got these Christmas dishes last year from a swap meet, for free! Victoria and Karissa set the table.

Dinner!

We feasted, then played the Tommy Right game with candy, acted out the Nativity, and played another fun game. After they left, we watched the BYU game. Luckily, most of the presents were already wrapped!

Nativity. Jason was the narrator.

7:00 seemed early on Christmas! But that's when we told the kids they could wake us at. We looked at the stocking gifts, opened presents, ate gingerbread pancakes with oranges, and sausage and bacon. We talked on the phone with family members, the kids played, and we went on a walk in downtown Plymouth because it was 50 degrees! When we returned the kids watched The Polar Express and Jason and I prepped an easy meal of Swedish meatballs, wings, baked potatoes, and salad. When we were done with dinner, our friends the Steinegels, who moved here over the summer from Florida, came over for dessert and games. Their oldest daughter is serving a mission in Russia and just arrived there last week. They have twin girls who just turned 14 and another girl who's almost 12. So we had a great time with all the girl chatter.

Christmas morning.

Erik loves to read these books!

Exchanging secret Santa gifts. Jason gave to Victoria.

I gave to Karissa.

On our walk in front of a cute home that's been made into a little shop.

The best part of all, besides spending time with our friends and each other, was reading about Jesus' mission and purpose here on Earth. I always enjoy reading the story of His birth, but I put some thought into it further than that. I also loved watching the new Nativity video put out by the church. It helps me gain a greater view into how it might have been. Christmas day is one day, but it's nice to have the Spirit of Christ with us always.

Merry Christmas!❤️