The Christmas Season

This year I made a goal to not stress too much about the Christmas season and only focus on what I felt was the most important. It was such a wonderful month because we kept it simple and focussed on the true meaning of Christmas. 

 We got to go to the live nativity again this year. The kids loved petting the camels, horses, sheep and goats. The people who put on the nativity interact with you as if they really lived in that time period. We got to see Roman soldiers, how they made bread and cloth and got to see the gifts the wise men brought. I went a little overboard on dressing them warm, but I didn't want any complaining. 

Tanner has told me a lot about a bakery right by his Office so we went and checked it out one day. The kids loved the fun cookies that they had and I loved their sandwiches and salads. 

I thought to take pictures after they had taken a bite already. And Austin had a homemade nutter butter bar. We passed them all around so we could each try them, and to make sure we all got a nice head cold together later. 

The church has an initiative during the month of December called Light the World. Each day there was a different video about different acts of service. We didn't do huge acts of service every day, but we did try to make this holiday a focus on how we could serve others. One morning Chet woke up and while still in his bed told me, "Mom! I've been dreaming all night about how I can light the world!" I noticed Mariah and Chet doing more to serve each other, their family and their friends. That is what I love about this time of year. 

 We did a program for the ward activity where the primary children got to go on a journey with the shepherds to find the Christ Child. As they walked into the overflow area they were each handed an LED candle and sat around Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus where a special musical number was sang and then we all sang Silent Night. I think it was a special experience for the children and I hope they felt the excitement that the shepherds must have felt when they found the baby Jesus. 

We got to have family for Christmas! The Hiltons came and we had a wonderful time. Their children are all within a few months of ours so they had such a good time. Except Terron...He probably would have enjoyed himself more if Austin wasn't always on the attack. Sorry about that...

Because Christmas Eve was on Sunday we had a musical program at church that was wonderful. After dinner Tanner read the Christmas story from Luke 2 while the kids dressed up and acted it out. We had to do it a couple times so everyone could be who they wanted to be. 

 Because we have a toddler we didn't put presents under the tree until Christmas Eve. It was fun to see how excited the kids were looking at the presents. We had Mariah and Chet pick out presents for each other and one for Austin and pay for them with their own money. We spent way too much time at the dollar store but they were so excited to give gifts. 

Christmas morning was exciting with sugary cereal, top ramen, juice and gum...doesn't get much better than that. What? You don't put Top Ramen in your children's stockings? 

 We woke up Christmas morning to a light dusting of snow so after the presents were opened they all headed outside for a while.

The Hickmans joined us for Christmas dinner and we played a game after the kids were in bed. 

 Tanner made his gingerbread cookies again so we decorated cookies too.

We have a "sparkle box" where I write down different acts of service that I see members of the family doing throughout December. Those acts are our gifts to the Savior. It was neat this year to read them all together as a family and remember the wonderful feelings that come with service. 

I am so grateful for the Christmas season and the peace and joy that it brings. I'm grateful for the many examples we have been able to learn from as we create our own family traditions. It really is a magical time of the year!