This Christmas just went so fast and I feel like I didn't even get time to stop and enjoy it... Luckily we do have incredible family that made the actual Christmas so special. We did our annual Christmas eve breakfast dinner with pajamas at my parents. I always love seeing the kids in their matching pjs.
We woke up Christmas and had the best time opening presents with the kids. The big hit this year was rollerblades and finger monkeys. They got lots of craft and science kits and lots of fun books. Jake got new clothes, shoes and an iPhone x, which he has been playing on just like the kids with their new toys! I got spoiled with new shoes I wanted and a big oil diffuser along with some clothes. We had so much fun playing with toys that morning and being together.
Grandma DeeDee's breakfast was next and we had it at Tara and Drew's new house. She made us yummy scones with her special sauce and lots of bacon and sausage. Her scone sauce is amazing and we had so much of it! This year we had all five of her kids at breakfast. We had our family gift exchange and everyone got really fun games. One of these nights we will have to have time for a family game night! Deedee spoiled all the kids and working so hard made each one of the kids and the moms super soft and cozy blankets. Benjamin got a green sweater and plaid blanket. Emma is obsessed with pink and blue and got flowers and plaid in her favorite colors. Noah got little fish all over his blanket. Navy's has stripes and flowers in the prettiest mauve and plum colors. We love blankets at our house so these are so perfect.
We headed to my parents next. We had a delicious ham and my mom's rolls which are the best rolls ever! I think we could all eat just these rolls all day! Our sister gift exchange was so fun. I love seeing what everyone gets each other. Kylee got me a dot to dot coloring book where some of the pictures have over 1000 dots!! The kids got super spoiled by grandma and grandpas! They each got the cutest nike outfit and fun gifts. My mom works so hard to find the perfect things for everyone and all the little things she does mean so much. Thanks mom for feeding the whole tribe this entire season with everyone here!
Thank you all for spoiling our kids and making our Christmas so special by just being together. I truly enjoy watching everyone open presents and their excitement over the gifts and the givers excitement for working so hard to think of the other person. We all love each other and are so blessed!
This year was really special to me and I had my grandma and grandpa Jardine and my grandma Schraft with us for our holiday events. I am so grateful they both made the trip. It is the best getting to spend time with each of them individually and together. I miss them so much everyday. They are all the perfect grandparents everyone wishes for and do so much for us in their own ways!
The most special time this entire holiday season was on Christmas eve. We went to my parents church. What a magnificent way to spend Christmas eve. Even though we had kids up and down and books and treats to keep them quiet I would not have chose to be anywhere else. I was there with my parents and all of my sisters and brother in law. Jake's brother Chad and his family was with us. We had all my parents grandkids drawing and smiling and Navy dancing :/. Grandma and Grandpa Jardine were there to cuddle little babies. Grandma Schraft was there to add her beautiful singing voice to the hymns and to sit by my dad where I know that Papa Buzz was right next to them in spirit. It was the epitome of a perfect sacrament and ended with a beautiful song where everyone there felt the spirit so strong. I marvel at the blessing I have and that this family has. We all have had a lot of ups and downs this year which can make for really hard times. How perfect though to end the year together and knowing our Savior's love for each and everyone of us.
My dad sent us an email Christmas morning and said it all so perfect. Here is a part.
"I can picture parents and grandparents pleading on that first Christmas eve and being comforted by the voice of the spirit. I think the same words that came to Nephi would have come to them. I testify that similar words have come to me as I pour out my heart for each of you. I know God is mindful of you and He knows your yearnings, He sees your tears, He hears your prayers. I know this because the Spirit testifies to me that angels are round about my family. ...
I hope and pray that your Christmas Eve was full of hope and anticipation! I pray that we can all wake up this morning to see that the darkness of the night has been replaced with the glorious light of the Son, even the Babe for Bethlehem. I pray that there is room in the inn of your hearts this morning and every morning for His light and life and joy. After all, we are to lift up our head and be of good cheer!"
