Merry Merry Christmas

 

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. 

I love Christmas, all the lights, decorations, presents, and the excitement and anticipation.

 

We started the week off with the Hatch's, making gingerbread houses. They are a little more difficult than they look. Guess that is why they invented the kit! The girls had a lot of fun making a mess and eating candy. Jeslyn had a brilliant idea to use the hot glue gun to put hers together with. It actually worked really well. Now if she only remembers that she can't eat the candy!

 

These two handsome boys were busy putting out fires!

 

Christmas Eve we had our annual Christmas Family Party.  Jeslyn and Jauncee both read to us the story of our Savior's birth. We then talked about the role that the innkeeper played. In the December Ensign there was a really good article called "Come Let Us Adore Him", in the article it talked about the innkeeper and the offering of a stable and what a blessing it was for our Savior to have been born among the animals where it was peaceful and private. Allowing the most sacred birth in human history to take place in reverent solitude. I think there is often times a lot of emphasis put on the innkeeper indirectly rejecting Mary and Joseph and what a horrible thing it was to have been born in a stable among the animals. The article was very informative and it really touched upon what happened that sacred night and why. Our Savior's birth is full of symbolism  I really enjoyed the article, I think I will keep it as a new edition to our party. 

After we talked about why we celebrate Christmas, the kids got to open 1 present. The girls have finally caught on to what this present is!

 

New PJ's!

 

As a kid I loved the night before Christmas, getting all snuggly in bed, knowing that Santa would soon be there. Setting out cookies and milk and carrots for each reindeer. Then in the morning to our wondering eyes should appear, presents for everyone filled up the room. It was all very magical! 

Christmas time is full of magic!

And this year did not disappoint! 

I was so glad the girls got to be home and Dirk had most the week off to spend together as a family! I am not sure which child woke up first, but it wasn't very early...8:30. By the time everyone got up and got their morning routine out of the way we started opening presents about 9:00. I know, most families are finished up by this time and back in bed for a morning nap! But this seems to be tradition in our home!

 

The stockings are the very first things the kids always go to. I think it is their favorite part. 

 

Santa did not disappoint! I think every want and need was filled!

 

Check out that fancy belt buckle from Papa and Grandma Jill!

 

My hubby has to be the hardest person to buy for! What do you get someone who has most everything and who buys based on quality not price?! I actually really like this about him...most of the time...when I am not trying to buy him a gift!

 

After we finished opening presents we all got ready and headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Johnson's for Christmas Dinner.

 

And where we opened more presents! Clay really liked this part. He was getting in on all the action! Everyone had their very own bona fide present opener!!!

 

Later that afternoon we took the kids sledding. I didn't get any pictures of this event, but we all had tons of fun!

This year Christmas break was quite a bit longer than years past, but it still seemed to fly by. We did keep busy and managed to fit in a little bit of fun. We went to Lava, ate dinner then soaked it up in the hot pools, we hit the sledding hill a few more times, we played and played with cousins and friends, Jeslyn went ice fishing with grandpa and cousins and we made a trip to Logan for shopping, dinner and the Jump Zone, that was super fun.  

Christmas was a joyous holiday spent with family. Lots of love, lots of food and lots of fun.

I am grateful for the Christmas season and the opportunity it gives each of us to reflect on our year and count our blessings. It is a time that our focus is where is should be all year long...on our Savior, his birth, his life and his sacrifice for all of us. It brings families together, it invites peace and joy.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas...and a Happy New Year!