Our Christmas celebration this year started on Saturday. We started off by going to my parent's house in Shelbyville to celebrate with the LeClerc clan. We had a wonderful dinner (lunch) and then grazed all afternoon. We did our normal gift exchange. For this exchange all of the males put their names in a drawing separate from all of the women. I had my uncle Rick this year and Elizabeth had my cousin Nicole. As can be expected, Hannah and Noah played with the packaging more than the presents themselves. Here's a picture of Hannah enjoying one of Elizabeth's presents (the package contains gingerbread men pillows).
All kidding aside, Hannah and Noah did seem to enjoy their presents. In fact, Hannah really enjoyed getting pajamas. I'll have to remember to remind her about this in a few years when she's complaining about opening more clothes.
One final tradition from Christmas with the LeClercs is to get family pictures taken. You can check out the album if you want to see the rest, but here is a picture of Grandma and Grandpa with all of the grandchildren.
Click here to see the rest of the pictures from the LeClerc celebration.
We got the babies ready for bed and then drove up to Kokomo to spend the night at Elizabeth's parents. We arrived there around 8:30-ish and put the babies down for the night and enjoyed a light snack. Besides us and Elizabeth's parents, Bruce and Alyssa were there. We enjoyed chatting and reminiscing before turning in for the night.
We started off Sunday morning by going to church with Elizabeth's family. It's always fun to visit the Kokomo ward and see people there. We ended up leaving church fairly shortly after Sacrament meeting so the babies could take a nap. They were NOT cooperating. It worked out well anyway because we needed to hide Elizabeth's parents' present in the closet. We got them a luggage set (thanks to Elizabeth braving it with the Black Friday crazies and saving something like 80% or so on it). Since we thought they were expecting this gift we wrapped a much smaller box weighted with magazines and containing a note that said to look in the closet. I think I sensed some disappointment when they saw the box. Boy it was fun to surprise them!
Anyway, back to the timeline. Once we got back from church we put the babies down for a nap and waited for all of the family to gather. All of the Joray kids made it for the celebration with their families. We enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner (lunch again). After eating we opened presents. With so many young kids it turned into a free-for-all. It was fun!
For our gift exchange this year we exchanged by families for the adults and then just got small dollar-store or homemade type items for the kids. We drew the Hamlins. We got them a small resin nativity set. We actually started giving it to them back at Thanksgiving. They have been opening one piece of the set each week since then. Elizabeth also made a little book to go with it that has the scriptures that tell the story. They got the last piece of the set on "Christmas" day--Baby Jesus, of course!
We got the babies ready for bed before heading home so they could sleep in the car again. Of course, after we got them ready to go they got their second wind. They had a good time playing with the french doors between the playroom and the family room. Noah especially enjoyed smashing his face against the glass.
Here are the rest of the pictures from the Joray celebration.
On Christmas Eve we spent most of the day around the house. In the afternoon and evening we went to celebrate at the Cain's house. I'm related to them through my dad's side of the family. We used to go there every year when I was growing up. I haven't been since I've been married due to the way we used to arrange all of our visits. Since we spread it out a bit more this year, we were able to make it! We had a great dinner (actually dinner this time) and opened a few gifts before going back home. Unfortunately I didn't remember to take the camera, so I don't have any pictures to share from that night.
Okay, we're finally up to Christmas morning. Hannah and Noah must have been really excited to see what Santa brought them because they got up before 5:00! We managed to hold them off until around 6:30, but we finally got up and opened presents. Santa brought all kinds of fun stuff for everyone!
Hannah and Noah especially enjoyed their new toy kitchen. It's a neat one because it "grows" with them. Once they are a little bigger we can raise it up and there is another level with two more doors to open and close. We all know that's Noah's favorite!
It was really neat to have Christmas morning at home together as a family! It made me feel all grown up. I'm looking forward to many, many more. Here are the rest of the pictures from Christmas morning at home.
Phew, are you worn out yet? I know I sure was. But hang on, there's still two more celebrations to go!
After having a light breakfast at home we loaded up the car and headed to Ray's Crossing to visit with the Cook (my dad's family) clan. We had a yummy breakfast that included scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, and the infamous chocolate gravy. I'm not a fan personally, but it a Christmas tradition after all!
As soon as breakfast was over, the presents began. The present-opening scheme at Granny's house has always been open it when you get it. It was crazy!
My granny is so hard to shop for. The woman has everything! This year Elizabeth put together and ordered a personalized calendar with pictures of the babies. You think she liked it?!
Click here to see the rest of the pictures from the Cook Christmas celebration!
After we finished up at the Cook's, we headed back to my parents' house to celebrate with my immediate family. We put the babies down for a nap as soon as we got there. While they were sleeping the adults opened all of our presents.
Just before the babies woke up my Grandma and Grandpa arrived to share the rest of Christmas day with us. After the babies woke up they opened their presents. They weren't that interested. They helped tear the paper off of a few, but they still don't quite grasp the concept. Maybe next year!
If I had to guess what Hannah and Noah's favorite gifts were from Nana and Papaw, I'd guess it was their Little People school bus and fire engine that they could ride on. Papaw enjoyed pushing them around on them.
After opening presents we had Christmas dinner. It was a little non-traditional, but I hope it becomes a new tradition because it was awesome. We had hotdogs! My dad even fired up the grill so we could have them grilled. It was perfect, because if I had seen another ham or turkey I think I would have screamed! If you don't believe me, I have proof!
Here are the rest of the pictures from the Scott Christmas gathering.
We ended off Christmas night by getting the babies ready for bed and driving back home. After we got home and got them into bed, we plopped down on the couch and let out a sigh.
We had a truly wonderful Christmas. We had the opportunity to visit with our families. We had the opportunity to share and receive wonderful gifts. We enjoyed safety in our travels.
As I reflect on the events of the last several days, I can't help but be grateful for all that God has blessed us with. It's hard to understand sometimes why we have so much when others have so little. It helps me remmber the responsibility that comes with blessings. However, I am most grateful for Heavenly Father's gift of His Only Begotten Son.
1 comment:
Wow. Now I am tired. :) It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas, all the gathering sounded so fun.
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