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| Sisters Debbie and Cynthia |
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| Christmas Eve dinner |
Aw Christmas! So much work and preparation go into making this one day a meaningful memory. But so much fun and family come along with it. Here's how our Christmas went: Christmas Eve is spent with "The Cousins". Debbie and my mom (Cynthia) are sisters. They raised their families close to each other and we did many things together. So even though I have 50 first cousins between my mom's and dad's families, Debbie's family was always referred to as "The Cousins". We spend most Thanksgivings and Christmas Eve's together. Even though we've grown older and have our own families now, most of us are still able to get together for the holidays. Angie, who had a baby 4 days previously and Kelly, who was with his wife Laura's family weren't there this year. Jessica was sick, but she made a last minute appearance for which we were all happy. But the rest of us were together and I got some great pics.
We start off with a wonderful dinner which for some reason usually consists of chili for the main meal. This year Jenny made some chicken noodle soup also and of course there's the veggies and other side dishes. My mom always orders a Christmas wreath, a cinnamon pastry with cream cheese icing for dessert and this year we also had fruit pizza with yogurt. Yum! Then we sat around and talked and exchanged presents. I got the new Marshall McDonald sheet music "Hymns for the Sabbath Day Vol. 2" which I love! Aunt Debbie said it was to play on my new piano. Thanks Aunt Debbie!
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| My wonderful Lyle squishing me |
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| Uncle Greg |
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| Cousins Adam and Jenny |
When we were young we also acted out the nativity story. We had an adult narrator and the rest of the people in the families slit up the parts of the Wisemen, shepherds, angels and of course Mary and Joseph. We had costumes and everything. I was usually an angel. I know, you're completely shocked! And some years we go caroling with the cousins too. You should hear us sing! My aunt and uncle were both in the Tabernacle Choir, my aunt and 2 cousins are music teachers and everyone in their family sings well. It's like going caroling with a professional choir. This year we weren't able to, but here's hoping for next year!
We went back to my mom's house and watched Garfield's Christmas special which has been a favorite of mine and my siblings for many years. Another one of my favorites is the Muppet Christmas Carol. I didn't get to see that one yet this year, though. Then my mom reads our Christmas Story. It's titled "How Come Christmas". This is one of my favorite traditions. This year we had Lyle videotape my mom reading it so I could put it on the blog. So without further ado, here she is. You'll love the story. It's so funny!
Then we went to my mom's house. She made French toast and Wendy and Mike brought breakfast casserole. We ate breakfast together. My dad came. We don't see him much during the year, but he's always there on Christmas. He is a loving and silly man.
Then we opened presents. Mom gave me Sherlock season 1! I'm a bit of a Sherlock Holmes fan. I love the original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The movies with Robert Downey Jr. are fun and the series Elementary on CBS, I watch with Lyle and my mom. Sherlock is the BBC version of a modern day Sherlock Holmes set in London. My sister Allie got me hooked on it.
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| Wendy w presents for baby Harper due in Feb |
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| Annie and her coal (it's chocolate!) |
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| Kurt the Squirt and his presents |
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| Mike and Mom with the snowblower |
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| Dad and Paul |
Christmas gifts between my siblings and the spouses and I, we draw names. My brother-in-law Reed and his wife Heather drew Lyle and me this year. They sent us to The Forgotten Carols last week. I'd never been to it before. It was so much fun. I hope to go again another year. Lyle drew my brother Kurt. Kurt has a record player and loves vinyl. We got him a Beatles record. But when we were at the store, the owners had a lot of Barbra Streisand's Christmas album they were trying to get rid of for practically nothing (25 cents per record). So we decided to play a joke on Kurt. We wrapped up the BS album and gave it to him on Christmas. You should have seen his face. Everyone was laughing...except him. But we then brought out the real album. Oh, we're so evil! A few of us kids chipped in and bought a snowblower for my mom this year. Now that all the kids have moved out, we wanted to get her something that will make her life a little easier. I'm excited to see how it will work for her.
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| Lyle and his mom (Grace) |
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| Taylor, Annie and Grandpa Wickham |
Then we went to Lyle's parents house. Because all of Lyle's sisters live out of state they hadn't had anyone to visit them yet. Lyle's brother Rob and wife Marcie came while we were there. Mom and Dad had a delicious lunch for us and we sat and talked together. They gave our family a tent which we've been in need of. They did really well in selecting presents for the kids. For Taylor they got him a pocket watch. He's wanted one for a while now. It had a picture of a train on it. Lyle's father, Ralph, is big into trains and has taken Taylor to train shows before. For Annie they selected a charm bracelet and necklace that had magnetic, exchangeable charms with the YW values on them among other things.
Then it was time to take the kids home to their mom's house. Next year will be her year to have them on Christmas Eve and we'll pick them up on Christmas Day.
Now I'm left with Christmas goodies, a tree to put down and wrapping paper and boxes that still need to be cleaned up. I'm so thankful for such a great Christmas season and Christmas Day.
Hope your Christmas was as wonderful as mine!
Laura
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