Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

This Christmas was one that felt very different than other Christmases. I don't know if it is because I was more emotional being 7 months pregnant or that we moved just a few weeks ago and so we are in a new ward and a new place for the holidays, or that we celebrated most of Christmas in our own home, just the two of us, or a mixture of all of these, but this Christmas was different. It has been difficult to get into the Christmas spirit because of all these changes and things going on, but it has also been a strengthening for Chris and I. We had both saved up some cash throughout the year in order to get each other at least one significant gift for Christmas. I saved up to get Chris a new really nice guitar and he got me a nice new sewing machine that I really hope I can learn how to use well! They have been great gifts already, I love listening to him play his guitar and sing. It is a gift that I know I will enjoy for years and hopefully he will to. And the sewing machine, I have been wanting to learn how to sew better for a long time and now I have the chance to. I am so grateful for his thoughtfulness in getting that for me.

We enjoyed spending Christmas Eve at Chris's brother's house with his family. We had a little nativity program/testimony program. It was really nice for everyone to share a little bit of their heart on Christmas Eve.
Christmas morning started very early for Chris and I. We woke up a little before 4:30 a.m. so that we could open our gifts together and enjoy some hot chocolate and find a few more surprises in our stockings that we managed to get for each other. It was really fun to spend Christmas morning just the two of us together. We then went over to Chris's brother's house again to share in their excitement and to open our gift from Kayla, Chris's sister. It was a beautiful afghan that she crocheted for our baby! I love it. She also got Chris "Transformers" and me a pretty wall hanging. It was fun to see the kids so excited for all of their new things. Then I took Chris and Kayla to work. They both work at the State Hospital and had to work at 6:30 a.m.

I went back and took a little (like 4 hour) nap! I was actually really disappointed with myself, but I assume my body needed it. I got up and showered and cleaned up the house a little bit because Chris's family was going to be coming over to our house for Christmas dinner.

We all gathered around our rickety old table (it's over 100 years old!) and enjoyed dinner together. It was memorable and fun amid a chair almost collapsing and sparkling grape juice exploding all over! :)

We then all gathered again at Matthew and Kelly's house for some games and treats.

We appreciate all the thoughtful gifts from all of our friends and mostly our family that made this Christmas a wonderful one.

Merry Christmas 2008