Christmas Memories 2009

Christmas Eve

We had a spectacular Christmas this year in the U.S. That alone made it special! We got to enjoy Christmas lights, Christmas pageants, Christmas parties, yummy food, Christmas Eve service, and a very special Christmas Day with my Dad. He went to be with the Lord 4 days later.

Some of the fun little things we enjoyed this year included Gracie making a Gingerbread House with her Mims. We decided the store bought construction materials were lacking... but Gracie completely enjoyed eating her creation one gum drop at a time.

We had a Christmas party at my mom's house and played a really cheesy gift exchange game. It was fun to be with everyone though! Gracie and Lola had a ball with William (their 2nd cousin). He got a remote control car that Gracie loved driving and Lola loved chasing! Gracie about to enjoy a homemade chocolate covered cherry.

She shared it with her cousin Luke.

We went out and got a real tree. That was fun. We took a hay ride out to the back tree lot and chose carefully. Gracie helped her Daddy cut it down! Getting it decorated was another challenge. All our ornaments were left in China so we made some originals. We strung popcorn and created penguins, reindeer, and manger scenes. We also hung candy canes that had cute little covers that gave them character.Lola on the hay ride!

We spent Christmas Eve in Griffin and ate Mexican for lunch. Then we went to church where we celebrated the birth of our Savior through song, prayer, candle light and the Lord's Supper. It was really special. My Dad was sitting next to me belting out those hymns like only he could do. What a precious memory.

Christmas Day was great! The kids woke up late then discovered their gifts out on the covered patio where we put the tree. My parents arrived a few moments later and we enjoyed watching the girls and started off our time together with a pancake breakfast. We stacked some together and covered them with whip cream and called it Jesus' birthday cake. We stuffed ourselves! Then we opened presents! My niece Chelsea made us this delicious fudge that I ate the majority of... Mom gave me a keepsake locket that my grandmother Martin had given her. Matt got his comic book fix, and of course the kids loaded up.

We had a relaxing morning and Mom and I cooked several dishes. Mims made her famous Cranberry Relish and we enjoyed an awesome Christmas dinner of roast, potatoes, carrots & mushrooms, broccoli salad, green beans, sweet potato souffle, and pumpkin pie. I think there were some more things - but I can't recall... My Daddy ate so much food I wondered where he out it. He weighed about 130 lbs and had just recovered from pneumonia - but he was feeling so good on Christmas Day. I fully enjoyed watching him eat and enjoy his dinner so much. I will hold on to that memory forever.

After dinner we played games - Matt, Mims, Paul & Chelsea played settlers of Catan. Daddy and Marty played Wii. Gracie and Christi played Hungry, Hungry Hippos, Wii, and the Leapster. My sweet sister in law, Wanda helped wash dishes and everything was just as close to perfect as it could be.

I am so thankful for such a wonderful Christmas with the people I love. God has been good to us. His mercies endure forever!Gracie liked to pretend she was Mary and she loved wrapping up her baby Jesus.