daily december: 25

Dave "sacrificed" and got up before any of the kids to make sure no one got any sneak peeks. Emma was the first up and they played Warcraft together. When Sawyer woke up around 8:30, Emma got to go and wake up everybody else. We were so glad that Mom, Dad and Colin were here with us this morning. We are not ready to do this on our own yet. I have dispensed with the tradition of eating a banana before opening presents but we still line up by age and go in all together.
Santa doesn't wrap his presents and for some reason he also does not know how to spell. Emmmmah, Sleighde, Naythun, and Saayur all were thrilled to see what he brought. Emma got a new nightstand and CD player (I didn't get a picture of her with it though), Slade a pirate ship, Nathan a scooter, and Sawyer a Little People car thing.
It is very important to me that opening presents is not a free for all. Dave, just like my dad always did, hands out the presents so that there were only one or two being opened at a time. There also must be lots of hugs given to the giver.
I decided to put the camera down and just enjoy the festivities so I didn't take very many pictures. Here are a few.
After we opened presents, we had Scotch eggs and hashbrowns for breakfast (sausage wrapped around a hard boiled egg, baked and then served with white sauce). Dave's family always had a big breakfast and that is the one tradition that Dave really cares about continuing. In my family, on the other hand, Mom did not want to do any cooking on Christmas so she just set out lots of goodies and we got to eat whatever we wanted. It is a tradition I whole heartedly continue. At one point, Slade asked Dave if he could have another piece of candy. Dave said, "Of course. It's Christmas." Slade with wide eyes then said, "You mean I can have anything I want?" and then squealed in delight at Dave's confirmation of that. Isn't Christmas great?

Mom, Dad and Colin headed up to Keri's for the afternoon. All of Dave's family then came over to party. I didn't want to cook so everyone brought an appetizer and treat to share. We played board games and Wii games, ate food, lazed around and had a great time. And I didn't take one single picture!

The day was really wonderful. We felt blessed to be surrounded by family. I think the Savior would be happy that His birth was celebrated in such a way. At least I hope so. I am so grateful that He came. That Mary, who being so young and far from home must have been terrified, was there in Bethlehem with Joseph, to bring love embodied into the world. I am even more grateful for the man that baby became, my Savior and Redeemer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!