Christmas was a bit more special for us this year than it has been in years past. We have not spent Christmas with our extended family since 2005, and we only had Emma then. We have chosen to stay and Celebrate the Birth of Christ in our home each year since. We decided that this year, we would surprise our families and come home for Christmas, only telling my Mom so she could make sure no one came here to Utah.
Christmas Eve, we got to spend some time with my Cousins son, AJ, who I haven't seen in 10 years at least. My Brothers son Adam, wanted to do a play of the Nativity and he prepared all the props and was so helpful. This was so fun. We just can't pull the Nativity off at home by ourselves like we did tonight.
Emma was Mary. Justin played Joseph. AJ played the inn keeper. Elizabeth was the Angel.
Shawn, Paige and Jodi played the shepherds and Mason, Michael and Adam played the Wise Men. I recorded this production and it was so fun to watch these little kids, 6 kids 6 years or younger, play out the story that they have heard so much about.
After the Nativity, Jodi got out the gifts that she had gotten for all her Nieces and nephews.
The were so excited to get to open a gift on Christmas Eve.
She made all of them warm cozy blankets for cuddling.
Mason, Paige and Emma was so excited. Emma had forgotten blankie at her house and she decided that this blanket could take its place while at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
After things at Grandma and Grandpa Clausen's house were done and things started to wind down, we headed over to Shawn's parents house. None of them knew we were coming and it was so exciting for us to be going over there. His extended family on his Dad's side all got together for dinner and a few gift exchanges, so we knew they would all be there. The kids knocked on the door and Dustin answered. The just walked in and before we got in the door they were in the middle of the crowd. As we walked into the entree way, we shouted Surprise. It was such a neat thing to do. There were tears in a few eyes and many happy smiles. I didn't get any pictures, but I will always remember the looks of the faces of those there. It was priceless.
No comments:
Post a Comment