Our Christmas...

We had a very nice Christmas. Last Christmas, I commented to my parents they should come and spend the night with us so they took us up on the offer. Since we live near them, they haven't stayed at our place for 6 years now. It was a lot of fun. I even made Matt and the girls help me clean house for our "company." Matt thought I was strange for doing that but he reluctantly helped out! We made a gingerbread house on Christmas Eve. I bought a kit and it was AWESOME! I remember making gingerbread houses when I was a kid with my family and it always took so long that you grew tired of the whole process about the time you were suppose to actually decorate it. Ha! The snow was really coming down and piling up Christmas Eve. It was fun to have a very white Christmas. We read a couple of Christmas stories to the girls. We were planning on attending Christmas Eve service at our church at 11:30pm. We were all exhausted--the adults fell asleep during the book reading--and we knew the roads were pretty bad so we didn't go this year.

Christmas morning was a lot of fun. The girls enjoyed their presents from everyone. They were excited that Santa gave them what they asked for--Baby Alives--and that everyone knew exactly what they wished for. (Ummm? Maybe because they told me and I passed the word on to grandmas? :) Mesa was in awe on how everyone JUST knew!)

Later that day, we went to my grandparents' home and celebrated with cousins, aunts, and uncles. We stuffed ourselves full and enjoyed everyone's company. Before opening presents we always have a Christmas "program" where we remember Christ's birth and sing Christmas carols. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays because most everyone recognizes our Savior's birthday and we share it with family. However, as I grow older I realize how much WORK it all is. Since becoming a mom and being responsible for little ones, I admire how my own mom and aunts got (and still get) all the food prepared, all the presents wrapped, all the kids ready, all the dishes cleaned up, and still had smiles on their faces! I'm sure the men help some, too!

This year my cousin Shelly was pregnant and due at Christmas. It made me think a lot about Mary. I'm happy to tell everyone that as of yesterday, Shelly and Darrin had their little baby girl. We hope to go see her tonight. They now have three little ones 3 and under --I think I will be admiring her the most next year!