Christmas Memories

We had a super duper Christmas.  And now that 2010 is bearing down on us, I figured I better get these memories chronicled.  Prepare for an overload of photos.

This is what the week before Christmas was like …

Sunday: we made decorated a gingerbread house.

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It turned out pretty good!  It was fun to see the artistic touches the kids provided.  Make note of the “Wendy door” – designed to look like her.  The view of Sam’ door comes with a side of “jazz hands.”

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Monday: I hosted the 2nd annual  neighbohood cookie exchange party — we enjoyed many delicious confections.

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Wednesday: The kids and I took a couple of platefuls of goodies to the Department of Environmental Services, to thank the snowplow drivers for their hard work.

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Before we knew it, it was Christmas Eve.  We went to my brother’s for a yummy C’mas Eve meal, then to our church for the 5pm “kids service”.  I prefer a more sedate, traditional service, but they do a high energy program that keeps the kids engaged.   Mike was surprised to hear his name called in a “Sing the Lyrics” caroling contest and he wowed the crowd (see clip below).  The service concluded with the traditional “Silent Night”, sung in a not so traditional arrangement.  Instead of candles, glow sticks were distributed, which were another hit with the kids.

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Short, clumsy clip of Mike’s singing debut:

Then it was home to bed, but not before I got one picture of the kids dolled up.  Don’t they look lovely?

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The next morning was Christmas!  The stockings were stuffed, the tree was trimmed, and the kids were bedecked in the Christmas jammies.

Every year I pick out a special ornament for each kids.  Wendy got a pencil (first year of school), Sam got a “race car”, and Adam got a “Lammie”, just like his beloved lovey.

The stockings were full of sweet treats.   Santa always brings Mike (& I) a six pack of Coke in glass bottles.  Yum!   The kids got fun glasses, charms for their crocks and other fun doodads and candies.

Christmas breakfast was our standard fare:  monkey bread, fruit salad, and a egg strata for Grandad.  We were glad to have him join us in the morning.

After stockings and food, the gift opening began in earnest.  The big present for Adam was a new glider.  He kept saying, “Bike!  Bike!”.  Sam got a huge train track set, and Wendy got an American Girl-esque doll.  There was an abundance of gifts – we are truly blessed.

In the afternoon, Bear, Melis and her family joined us – I love to have a crowd.  We had a nice afternoon hanging out, waiting for Christmas dinner to finish cooking.

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Finally the feast was ready to eat.  And boy did we![pie center]

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It was a wonderful day to celebrate the birth of a Savior.  Thanks be to God for the goodness he has given us in our family.