Christmas Eve was Sunday. We had a beautiful program. Keith and I are in the choir and the songs were just beautiful. They took a bit to learn but were so pretty once we got them down.
Treyson went to his own ward and the kids, namely Kel and Kai didn't behave the best judging by the pictures they took during the program. :-/
In the evening we made and decorated Christmas cookies. We didn't have any yellow food coloring and couldn't make green frosting, but we made do with leftover gingerbread candies.
At 8pm that night we got out the lanterns to light and send off. This is one thing I love. They look so pretty floating up into the night sky.
Kel made a candle at the ward Christmas party last year and was so excited to find it. He made a candle holder from a toilet paper tube and painters' tape so that he could hold it while it was lit.
After that we jumped in the car to look at Christmas lights. We saw quite a few more beautifully lighted up homes than in the past as well as a couple of regulars that we visit.
I had to include a picture of our own house that Joe decorated for us. He set up the creche in our front yard which looked pretty sweet at night.
The kids thought it was hilarious that we found the leg lamp from A Christmas Story.
We came home and the kids got ready for bed. Keith worked on the brisket so he could get it on the smoker. I heard some cute conversations between the kids that went something like this.
"Who's room are we sleeping in tonight?"
Kai - "Mine"
"Actually, Treyson has the biggest room with the couch and the bean bags"
Kel: Mom, you need to read to me downstairs in Treyson's room, we're all sleeping down there.
Me: You are?
Kel: Yes mom, it's a tradition"
I snuck down a little later and heard them talking and recorded some of their conversations. he he
Christmas morning, Kel came up at 6:30am to say Merry Christmas, probably sent by the older ones. We told him it wasn't 7am yet and needed to go back to bed. At 7am on the dot there was lots of scurrying up the stairs to our bedroom.
I think the kids all enjoyed their gifts. I know that Keith and I did.
After everything was opened, we gave them the first note for a scavenger hunt to find the family gift Keith had bought. I haven't done a scavenger hunt for them in a while, but they really enjoy them.
The new Zelda game, Tears of the Kingdom has been a hit in the house for all the boys since as well as Keith. They love quest games.
We made our traditional Christmas breakfast of Ebelskivers. Which were delicious with all the different jams, especially the blueberry jam Keith's dad made.
After a little down time, we had the kids come and help with Christmas dinner. Lani chopped veggies, Kai made rolls, Treyson, funeral potatoes and Kel helped Keith with the homemade macaroni and cheese.
Afterward, we chatted with mom and Joe in Africa. They were making calls to all the kids.
The food turned out delicious and the brisket was moist and tender.
Grandma came down and spent some time playing games and ate with us. My brothers weren't able to make it nor Grandma Iris. But that meant naps later which is okay also. ; )
We had a wonderful Christmas and have been so blessed this year.
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