Christmas 2023

 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were nice this year. Nothing too big, but enough celebration to satisfy. Jason, Austin, and I were a part of the ward choir for the last song in the sacrament meeting program. The program was full of music and only one amazing speaker, so it was lovely. We have a very small, but mighty Primary who sang two songs, and some beautiful soloists in voice and piano. We got to see some people, including college students, whom we hadn't seen in a while, which was really nice. After lunch at home, we went to an assisted living center with a few other families from our ward and from some other wards in the area and sang Christmas carols as they ate lunch. We used to do this every Christmas Eve with this group, before the pandemic. This is the first year going back again. It was so much fun to see the joy on the resident's faces as we sang. We sang about 10 pages of songs, so by the time we were done, I told my kids that we didn't have to sing any songs at home, since I knew by then they were done with singing! Plus, it's much better with more people. 

We had the sister missionaries over for dinner. It was cool getting to know them, especially since one of them is from Rexburg. She and Victoria had some good conversations. We ate ham, sweet potato casserole, Jason's homemade dressing (stuffing, but it stuffed nothing), homemade rolls, and green beans. Pretty much anything with the ham that we didn't get at Thanksgiving, or didn't get the way we usually have it. We had a variety cheesecake from the orchestra fundraiser that was nice to save until now so I didn't have to make anything. I had even bought sparkling grape juice that we drank in goblets, but of course, I forgot to take any pictures of the set table or food. 

After the missionaries left we went to the Remington's house to do the Nativity with them and another family friend of theirs. They had invited us for dinner, but since we had the missionaries over, we told them we'd join later. It's more fun to do the Nativity with younger kids. Before acting it out, we played the left and right game. I wrapped a gift for each person and read a version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, modified to have more right and left words. Most of the gifts were small toys, crafts, or candy that I didn't need for my class, were from my gift stash, or were leftovers from Erik's birthday party favors. I had to buy a few things from Dollar Tree, but it was so fun and worth it! Some kids traded at the end and I'm pretty sure all the kids ended up with their parents' gifts as well because they were all something most kids would like. 

Erik made a good King Herod!

Kade and Austin were 2 of the Wisemen.

Jason was the narrator and Victoria and I got to be in the audience!

The Nativity was much more enjoyable with younger kids, which also meant we left earlier and were able to play a few games and relax at home before going to bed, since we had everything completed earlier, including watching the Church's Nativity video.

Even though my kids are getting older, most of them still wanted to wake up fairly early to open gifts, except Victoria who's still on MST. We didn't allow any waking to happen before 7, though Austin couldn't help it, but at least he didn't wake everyone else. Erik's alarm went off way too early, like 4, because his clock was wrong, but he didn't get up to turn it off anyhow- Jason did!

I think we looked at the stockings at 8 and then opened gifts right afterward. We had waffles, egg bites, sausage, and berries for breakfast. I also had saved some of my 12 days of jam for everyone to try, though Jason was the only one who tried any. So I've been getting to finish off the rest these past couple of days, which I have enjoyed!

Lots of socks were received!

Leia spent who knows how much time getting her kitty treats out of her hanging stocking, which was still hanging, even after she had secured the treats? The bag was full of puncture holes in the hopes that she would rip open the bag somehow. 

Erik was pleased with his gifts.

Victoria got a ski jacket, among other things.

Go Lions!

And make sure to watch the Michigan v. Alabama game on New Year's!

Minecraft Legos!

Guitar strap!

Austin's new weight bench and weights.

Our breakfast spread!

We relaxed, played games, talked with family on the phone, and watched The Hunger Games in preparation to see the new one in the theater on Tuesday. Since it was a whopping 55 degrees here, we went for a little hike at Maybury State Park. 

When we returned, we ate our traditional Puerto Rican dinner- roasted pork, rice and gandules, tostones, and colorful cauliflower. Most of our kids have come to love this meal, so it's fun to serve it and easier to make since we've done it so many times now. 

We did some dancing in the sunroom and Kade told me that this was one of his best Christmas Days. He felt happy and relaxed. Hearing that made me so happy myself!

Merry Christmas!