Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve
December 24, 2010

The magic of Christmas is very alive in young children! The week leading up to Christmas our little family passed around our Christmas Star. We do nice things for each other in secret and leave the star on top of the pillow of the receiver. They in turn do something nice for someone and the star continues to get passed around all week. I love this tradition. The kids really got into it this year. They even thought up some of their own services to do for us. One morning I saved a basket of socks that needed to be folded so Tyler would have a "service" to do. He told me he did not want to do what I had planned for him. Later that evening after dinner, he quickly ran downstairs, showered, dressed, and brushed his teeth without me even asking him to. That was his service to me, and it was fabulous! The next night, Susie (who caught on quickly), got herself ready for bed without being asked as well. So refreshing! I also found my bed made on multiple occasions throughout the week too. :) In fact, I have caught two little elves making my bed a few times even since Christmas has been over. One time I even heard Susie say, "Get the star! Get the star!" She obviously forgot we were done passing the star around.

Christmas Eve day was a bit too hectic for my taste. Kevin and I had to finish up our Christmas slide show for the Christmas Eve program. That took a few hours in the morning. We were also in charge of cooking the meat--Prime Rib. It required quite a bit of attention. I don't think I really relaxed until we sat down to eat that night at 6:00pm. I even stayed home (Amyah was also napping) to keep an eye on the meat while everyone else went to the Ward Christmas Eve gathering.

We took this picture of our kids just as the evening began! I love it! I love their sweet smiles! So cute and Christmas-y!

Every year we re-enact the Christmas Nativity. Tyler chose to be a Wise Man this year. Susie, like always, was Mary. She actually wanted to be something different (like the angel). I almost had to force her to be Mary because we had no other girls wanting to fill the role! I kept telling her, "Maybe next year Amyah can be Mary."

The cute cousins all dressed and ready for the nativity.
Mary and Joseph (Jonathan)
The Three Wise Men and their Gifts
The entire cast...Bennett was not too excited about being an angel (Michelle ended up taking over)
Tyler's talent this year was reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to everyone. Susie sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" complete with hand actions. No pictures of her. Oops!
Marc's amazing talent! Thomas Kemper bottles filled with water were his instrument to play Jingle Bells. He recruited the kids to help hold the bottles. So much fun!
Opening 1 present on Christmas Eve (from Grandma Janae & Grandpa Mark) - pajamas!

Writing letters to Santa. This year all the older kids wrote their own letter.



The newest tradition (in honor of Uncle Myrl) - the money jar! You get to reach your hand in and whatever you can hold in your hand without dropping you get to keep!
Reindeer dust - a tradition that has stuck! The kids love it!
Looks like Santa enjoyed the milk, cookies, and orange!