CHRISTMAS 2012--
Although we missed Ashley and Heather and their families this year, we were thrilled to have Michele and Jennifer and their families for Christmas, along with Camille's new husband and boys! Surprisingly, we actually had 5/7 of our children at our home on Christmas Eve.
This is our "Memory Tree" that we put up each year in our basement family room. The mostly handmade ornaments date back--some of them--close to 40 years. Michele and Jennifer laughed at seeing their grade school ornaments they created with their pictures on them.
(Wondering why there is so much blue Hanukkah wrapping paper--Michele must have found a good deal while living in New York where there is a large Jewish population close to where they lived.)
These stockings were made out of felt by me when Tom was about five months old!
The first thing on the agenda--Santa Claus' appearance! The kids are waiting patiently to hear him come down the stairs.
All Doug cared about was holding a baby and sitting next to Michele! We still can't believe they live close enough for us to celebrate Christmas together!
Liam's first Christmas!
Finally, Santa arrived and each child took turns sitting on his lap to have their pictures taken, tell him what they wanted for Christmas, and being presented with a small gift.
From the youngest grandchild in attendance to the oldest--
(I had to include two pictures of Rett--he always poses with one eye closed for a picture--like a pirate!)
(Cohen--still feeling a little under the weather)
After the grandkids, the rest of the "kids" had to sit on his lap!
One of the most tender moments of the evening, is when Michele and Brian gathered their family around Santa so that he could read something to them. The note read, "I am happy to let you know that Brian has accepted a new job in Boise and will be with your family in February." This was a total surprise for all of us!! Michele and Brian had known for about 1-1/2 weeks.
Brian hugging a very emotional Cole! Brian has been commuting from New York to Boise as many weekends as he could for the past five months. Both Brian and Michele felt very inspired to move the family and had faith that Brian would find a job eventually. Now, that dream has come true for them.
Andrea surprised us with her smile--all she wants for Christmas "is her two front teeth."
Next thing on the agenda--Christmas Eve dinner for 32
Third thing on the agenda (the most important)--Reading of re-enacting the Christmas Story--a tradition for 41 years!
McKenna and Olivia--narrators
Garner--Joseph
Isabella--Mary
Liam--Jesus
Holland & Abigail--Angels
Adelyn, Rett & Brielle--Shepherds
Jaden--the donkey
Elsie--a sheep
Cole, Jaxon, Carter and Tanner--the "four" wisemen and
Channing--the "wanderer"
The entire cast of 17 grandchildren
And darling little Claire sat quietly in her seat all dressed up for Christmas. I'm sure she will have a part in years to come.
I'm always grateful for the Christmas season where we are able to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Our family has been so blessed this year to have two new little grandchildren born healthy and strong, for the Anderson and Lake families moving from the East to Utah and Idaho, for Doug's improved health, for Camille's marriage to Scott and her new family and for so many other blessings.
We hope all of you had memorable Christmases and wish you a Happy New Year from our family to yours!!!
7 comments:
Oh, what a beautiful post! I loved seeing all of your family together--well, mostly all. And the pictures of each of the kids on Santa's lap was just priceless. They will love those pictures in years to come! The news about Brian is so great! I know how hard it is to be without a husband for awhile with him working far away. It's not fun at all! And the re-enacting of the Christmas story was fantastic---you had a spot for everyone!
Oh goodness mom! What a great post! Such good memories you and dad provided for all of us all those years! Love everything about it, the tree, the homemade stockings, those two sweet new babies, Andrea's teeth (that girl makes me smile), Olivia and Mckenna's Christmas socks, the nativity and jaden as the donkey and the Lakes big surprise...what a good good Christmas! Thanks for sharing....can't wait to be apart again soon:)
you completely captured it all! I am so happy we were with you all this year and many more to come! Thank you so much for everything!
you made me cry, Mom. Thanks for keeping a record of our best memories.
Thank you Mom for summing up the special day. And for doing it so well! We had a wonderful Christmas with you and everyone else. Thank you so so so much for making it so special and memorable. We love you and Dad and all that you are in our lives!
With me not feeling well I' didn't take a single pic and so I'm so glad you did...thanks for the great night!
Gosh, Joyce, you finally have the opportunity to have most of your children together for Christmas and it looked like it was one of the best ever for you and Douglas!!
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