Merry Christmas!!

This year for Christmas we spent it down in Grandview with my parents.  We were able to go down around lunchtime on Christmas eve. That afternoon we made gingerbread houses with Lisa's family.  They were spending most of their Christmas with Jaime's parents, so they came in the afternoon to build gingerbread houses.  I helped grandma build her very first gingerbread house.  We had so much fun.  It is always fun to see the finished products.

Thanks Lisa and Jaime for building these with us.

The kids all love to play with their Uncle Jon.  Jon likes to play with them just as much. :)

For Christmas Eve we did our traditional Family Home Evening.  We had a talent show and read the Christmas story to remind us all of the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  This is one of my favorite things to do.  I look forward to this every Christmas.  This is a tradition I will carry on in my own family.

Jon and I sang the song "Were you there"

Grandma asked if Lori and I would sing Star of the East with her.  We gladly accepted.

Mom played a beautiful Christmas Medley on the Piano.  It was beautiful and brought the spirit in so strong.

My dad read the Christmas Story out of the Bible in Luke 2.  We sang songs in between verses.  Lori and I switched off playing the piano for each song.  After we were done reading the Christmas Story, we heard some wonderful testimonies from Grandma and Grandpa.  It was so great to be able to hear them testify of the Divinity of the Savior, and their feelings on the Birth of Jesus Christ.  I could feel the spirit testify to me that what they were saying was true.  I'm so grateful to them for their testimony.

After we were done, My dad asked me to play some Christmas songs while we all sang around the piano.  We were surprised to hear sleigh bells.  As I stopped playing who did I behold?  None other than Santa Claus.

Santa gave us all a box of Chocolate Covered Cherries!  Yummy!

I saw Grandma Kissing Santa Claus

I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

So I thought I should give it a try :)

Then Grandma had 1 more turn

It was so fun to have Santa visit.  It brought back so many memories of when I was a little girl and the fun times we had at Christmas.

Christmas morning brought surprises all around.  Christmas morning Jon was excited with what Santa brought him.  As was I.  We had a great time opening gifts with the family.  I always like to see what everyone gets.  Here are a few highlights.

Jon wasn't quite awake when I started taking pictures.  I did make his pajamas for him.  He got to open those on Christmas Eve.

Mom and Dad both got guns for Christmas.  They went shooting the next weekend.

Grandma got her first coat in years.

Grandpa got an Ipad!!!

I am so grateful for this wonderful Christmas season.  I am so grateful for the Birth of Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for his atonement and for the knowledge I have of the Plan of Salvation.  Jon and I had such a great Christmas and we look forward to many wonderful Christmases to come.  Merry Christmas to all.