Christmas break was so much fun! It started when Marie came home from college. Then my brother, Pere, and his wife, Jeanne, came to visit.
We had a blast building gingerbread houses and playing games. Lots and lots of games.
Christmas Eve the three oldest and Joseph and I served at the community soup kitchen while the younger kids went to the family get together at my sister-in-law’s house. It was a very fun evening!
We started Christmas Day with our tradition of reciting The Living Christ as a family before opening any gifts. Two surprises, Joseph and the older girls bought me a new recliner. I knew they were getting something but didn’t know what. The older girls and I also conspired to surprise Joseph with a new recliner but he didn’t have a clue we had done anything so he was shocked to see TWO new recliners! The girls wanted old fashioned night gowns for their Christmas PJs.
The favorite gifts of the day were the homemade rubber band guns Joseph made for all the kids. There was an epic rubber band gun war!
Of course, the two boxes the recliners came in were also a big hit. The kids put them together to make a fort.
This video shows what its like when we go anywhere with all the kids in our 15 passenger van.
Other fun things over Christmas break included playing with more Christmas gifts, hanging out with a sick Henry, observing snowflakes that fell and, at the request of our kids, recreating a picture taken 21 years ago.
Now we are back to the daily grind doing school and trying to get back on a consistent schedule. The first week of getting up early to teach seminary (an early morning scripture study class for teens) is always a killer!
How was your Christmas?
AuntSue
What a lovely Christmas you had! Those rubber band guns and big boxes were great toys! I knew a family that was having a really lean Christmas. They rounded up big boxes and some spray paing to make a marvelous castle the kids could play in. Yes I was a jealous child.
My Christmas this year was very different. My daughter lives way out in Oregon country. Her baby was due just after Christmas , and decided to come early, out I flew to spend 3 weeks. Four year old big brother was excited to see Grandma Popcyc. (yup I fed him popcycles when he was two). Lots of baking, story reading and play. The new baby was 3 weeks early and only about 6 lbs. So tiny. Big brother was 9 1/2 and 3 weeks late. What a little sweeheart. Mom had to get some newborn clothes to fit the little princess. This was an unexpected way for me to spend Christmas, but it was fun.
A new baby at Christmastime is such a treat! I hope you enjoyed spoiling your daughter and grandchildren.
Love the photo recreation! Where did you get the old fashioned nightgowns for your girls? I also get my children Christmas pajamas (matching when I can) and they would love these!
I had originally ordered the nightgowns from Zulily for $20 each and then there was a mix-up with shipping and they somehow got shipped to the UK instead. So I looked up the brands on Amazon. They weren’t as good of a deal. The older girls got these ones. http://amzn.to/1MZrv1u Surprisingly they aren’t see through!
The two younger girls received ones from the Lanz of Salisbury brand. They were cheaper on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/1SG9CMq
Loved the two recliners. For a minute I was expecting to hear a Gift of thE Magi type story, but luckily nobody had to sell their hair or watch ;). Glad it was a happy Christmas for you guys!