Christmas Eve

Another tradition in our family is that we spend Christmas Eve together and then Christmas day is spent either at your own home (if you live in Houston) or with my parents (if you don't).  So this year Bob and his family stayed in Wisconsin since they have a 3 1/2 month old baby but the rest of us were here.  We don't eat traditional Christmas dinner but always have lots of wonderful food (we have turkey on Christmas day).

We had 4 babies born within a year (Joy, May 31st, Michael, July 3rd, Aurora, Dec 27th and Victoria, Jan 25th).  We had to get a picture with all the babies.  We had this same experience before but those babies are 6 or almost six (David, Andrew, Ethan and Lizzy).

Last night we gathered at five and Dallas and Beth also joined us (thanks guys, Dallas took the pictures).  We ate really yummy dinner and then inspired by President Eyring's Christmas devotional talk about acting out the nativity (we go between that and a family talent show).  The cast of children was incredible, we have very dramatic children, and Shelly did a good job narrating.  Mama put together the program that went from Samuel the Lamanite to the Wise Men coming with songs to go along with each part.  It was really good and we got to "throw" arrows (balls of foil) at Cameron who was our Samuel.  It was fun!  Can you guess what was happening from the pictures below?

 

Then of course there were tons of presents and opening them became a high priority.  This year we bought family presents and everyone got great gifts (thanks everyone for making that fun).

We of course had to have dessert to end the night.  What a fun and special memory for all of us!  I feel so very grateful for such a wonderful and loving family - it is my favorite present of all.