Christmas Eve/Christmas Day

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve we had four of our local missionaries over for dinner. We had a non-traditional Christmas Eve dinner (curry, rice, naan, chutney) but it was yummy and we're glad we could share it with the missionaries. Especially since three of the four were spending their first Christmas away from home. 

After feeding the missionaries we headed over to Brother Smith's house (Jenn Anderson's dad) where we met up with the Anderson family and had yummy snacks and treats and read from Luke while the kids performed the Nativity. It was a lot of fun!

Gathered 'round the "Baby Jesus."

 

The Nativity Crew (minus Delaney, Justin & Wade)

Urs & Jenn

Tora Family

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A VISIT FROM SANTA

When we got home from our evening with the Anderson Family we had to get things ready for Santa. Gabriel INSISTED that Santa would like STRAWBERRY milk. He also insisted on making it (syrup got everywhere). Then I helped him write a note to Santa...and it was written (word for word) EXACTLY as he said it. By the time Gabriel got into bed it was 10:45pm! I told him that Santa had called and said he would be here when Gabriel's clock (in his room) said 11:11, and if he wasn't asleep at that time Santa would fly over our house. Needless to say he was fast asleep when 11:11 rolled around.

Cookies,  Strawberry Milk and a Note for Santa

Gabriel's Note

Looks like Santa came (notice the empty glass and eaten cookies)

Santa's note to Gabriel

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

CHRISTMAS MORNING
So, since Gabriel went to bed at 11pm on Christmas Eve he slept until after 8am! Then we headed downstairs, and the first thing Gabriel checked was to see if Santa drank his strawberry milk and ate his cookies. He was pretty happy to find an empty glass! I forgot to take pictures when Gabriel came downstairs and opened presents (but we got it on video). I was too busy enjoying his reactions! But, we got some "after-thought" photos:

One of several books from Grandma - He is so excited to read them!

Nana got him a tool set -complete with hard hat and tool belt!

Our little Handy Man

A Tonka Race car from Papa, Grandma, Julian & Jory!

I got a new (and very nice) food processor from my parents - mine had burn out earlier this year.

Gabriel received many more gifts including Hungry-Hungry-Hippo game and a cash register from Great Grandma and George, and Moon Dough from Uncle Greg. He was so excited about all of his gifts. Every time he opened one he would say, "WOW! This is JUST what I wanted!"

After we opened gifts Gabriel played with all of his toys and I started on our Christmas dinner. This year we had ham, my mom's scalloped potatoes, broccoli salad, rolls, and cake! It was a yummy feast, but before we ate we sat down and watched "Joy to the World," a video the church put out several years ago about the birth and life of our Savior. It was a perfect reminder and end to our Christmas!