The Wonder of the Season- Christmas 2008

We hope that you and your families had a very Merry Christmas full of memories to treasure!

The Christmas spirit filled our home and our hearts during the weeks leading up to Christmas 2008. We were so busy celebrating the season that I didn't have time to post about our adventures! Now that Darin is back to work and the kids are in school, life has returned to it's normal routine and I am here... blogging..... finally!

This year we tried something new to help teach the kids about the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Each night during the 12 days before Christmas we read in the scriptures about the Christmas story. Starting with the Angel Gabriel's visit to Mary and Samuel the Lamanite's prophesy to the Nephites about birth of the Savior, to the Wise men, Shepherds, and the Christ child, laying in a manger. I was excited to find coordinating pictures for nearly every scripture in the gospel art kit (a must-have for parents of little ones). It was the perfect way to teach our little ones and bring the true Christmas spirit into our home. (We enjoyed it so much that we've chosen to use the gospel art kit this year every night in our scripture reading. We will do one picture a night and finish the entire kit before the year is over. So far it is a hit, the kids LOVE it! )

We also decided that this year we wanted to help the kids think more about GIVING and less about GETTING. During Family Home Evening they chose a name of one of their siblings out of a hat who they would buy a gift for Christmas. They were given a nickel for every chore they completed (this included making beds, getting dressed, brushing teeth, emptying trash, setting the table, etc, etc. ) They were totally into it and it really helped them stay on task during the Christmas break! By the end of the week they had each earned $3-$4 to use for a small gift. They thought so much about giving to each other that I would often find them "making" gifts out of paper and glue to put under the tree and wrapping up some of their own toys to give to their brothers and sisters. This year more than ever we enjoyed experiencing the excitement and wonder of Christmas through our children's eyes. They truly BELIEVE in the miracle of Christmas!

Some of our favorite memories of Christmas 2008 are:

1. Visiting the Christmas lights on Thoroughbred with our friends, the Escher's.
Yes, this is someone's front yard!

2. Drinking Hot Cocoa

3. Setting up the Nativity and reading the Christmas story

Love the Hot Cocoa mustache Jules!

4. Making Ornaments for the tree

5. Caroling at a convalescent home with the Darin's entire family

6. Watching the holiday fireworks show and seeing it "snow" at Disneyland........ SO MAGICAL!

7. Watching the kids Christmas programs

Julia's Tiny Tot Class

Trey's Kindergarten performance

8. Attending the ward Christmas party where Trent got to dress up as one of the wise men and Darin was asked last minute to participate in a special musical number singing "We Three Kings" in front of the the entire ward...not good, especially since he didn't even know the song!!

That's Trent, on the top left. The Primary children sang "Picture a Christmas", which is the prettiest Christmas primary song I have ever heard.

9. Spending time with our extended family who we love so much!

That is my brother Joseph under all those kids

All of my brothers and sisters and I with my Dad

10. And watching the eyes of our children sparkle with excitement as they opened their Christmas gifts!

Lauren's 1st Christmas!
Santa brought her a new bottle, formula container and her very own cell phone... what more could a baby wish for!

Thank you to all of our family and friends for the thoughtful gifts and treasured memories!
We love you all and wish you a happy and blessed New Year!