Christmas Eve/Morning

Christmas Eve day we finished up all our gift wrapping and preparations for the evening. We then prepared dinner and enjoyed a nice meal. Afterwards, we had the children dress up and act out the Christmas story as Derek read it from the scriptures.

the Angel (Samantha) bringing news to Mary (Jamie)

Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus

Later in the evening we went on some secret gift deliveries and had a lot of fun doing that. We didn't even get caught! We then drove around a bit in San Jose and looked at Christmas lights. We saw a street that had super tall reindeers (looked 8 to 10 feet tall), about 4 of them hooked together by strings of lights and a sleigh at the end. This display ran in front of 4 or 5 houses since there was one reindeer per yard. It's amazing what people will do to decorate for Christmas!

Once we got home, we got everyone ready for bed, and because we had all our wrapping done, we were able to put things out under the tree and be in bed by 10pm. It was great!

Christmas morning didn't start too early, which was a really nice gift! The children had fun going through their stocking gifts which they had given to each other. We had a breakfast of cinnamon rolls, bacon, eggs, juice and egg nog. Yummy!

Christmas morning

Katelyn was our little elf this year. This outfit was given to Hannah as a baby, by her Great Grandmother O'Dwyer. Ever since, whoever is having their 1st Christmas, has gotten to wear the elf outfit. Thank you Grandma!

Katelyn, almost 3 months

After breakfast we opened our gifts and enjoyed the thoughtful presents we had been given. We then spent the rest of the day relaxing, reading, watching new DVDs, and playing games. It was a nice break after such a busy month!

We love the Christmas season and have felt the great joy that comes from sharing time and gifts with others. We have also felt love and support from family and friends. The Christmas Season truly is JOY.

Caroling

We've had an annual tradition for a few years now of going caroling to about a dozen families and individuals. We usually take a small gift and sometimes stop in for a visit when they invite us. This year we ended up having many people not at home when we stopped by, so it took us 3 nights of going out. Even then we didn't see all that we had planned. Oh well, we had a good time anyway and more of the children joined in singing.

This was taken at a home of friends who we caroled to.

Then a few nights ago we had some good friends over, the VanDams, and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and some visiting. Before we ended our evening together, we sang some Christmas carols together. It was really nice.

Christmas dinner with our friends

Laurel singing along with us.

Hannah's Blog

Hi! If you didn't get my email, I now have a blog! Visit 'The Life of a Bookworm'!

www.hannahlovesbooks.blogspot.com

Don't worry, I will still post on this blog!

Hannah

Katelyn beginning a new skill

Katelyn is now starting to roll over by doing a body curve. She get onto her sides and curves. Here is a video and picture. Such Sweetness!

Christmas Pictures

For the first time ever, I think, all our girls are wearing matching dresses. Well, actually, Hannah's doesn't match exactly, but there wasn't one in her size of the dress, so we got a different one. Anyway, we got a red tie for Adam, and then thought we would take a nice picture of the children for Christmas. This was the Sunday before Christmas. Unfortunately, none of them turned out just right, but a few got close. Here they are.

Jamie, Mackenzie, Laurel, Adam, Katelyn, Samantha, Hannah

Just the girls

In front of the Christmas tree
The girls with Derek

Cathy and Derek

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Parties

This week has been full of parties! It started with Hannah's Piano party with all the students of her piano teacher. They gathered to hear each student play a couple of songs and then enjoy treats. Derek took her and Mackenzie to the party (while I took some of the little girls to a doctor appointment at the same time). Hannah played Pachabel's "Canon" and "Believe" from The Polar Express movie. Mackenzie joined Hannah in singing the song Believe.

Then a few days later we had a party with our homeschool Co-Op friends, enjoying food and sharing gifts. That night we attended the Santa Clara Ward christmas party. It was a lot of fun to visit with all our friends there.

The next night we attended the Steven's Creek Ward party and had a nice time there. They told the Christmas story through acting (Katelyn was baby Jesus) and then we ate cookies and milk and visited.

Katelyn's acting debut

Katelyn was asked to be Baby Jesus for a live nativity program for a youth activity and for our ward christmas party. The first night was for the youth. Katelyn was such a sweet Baby Jesus. She was perfect in everything. As Mary stood at the front of the stage holding Katelyn and singing a beautiful song, Katie just looked out at the audience so sweetly, and then she would look at Mary and give a little smile.

A few days later when it was time to have the ward party, Katelyn was not feeling as well. She had gotten a cold in between performances. She still did very well until the end, when her coughing was just too much and she didn't want to endure the situation any longer. Mary had to sing her song without a baby in her arms. But everyone just loved the little baby Jesus and thought it seemed a little more realistic with the baby crying.

You'll see Katelyn as Baby Jesus, but also Hannah as one of the angels