We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I was reminded of a story about my Great Grandmother Lydia Tuttle Atkin. It was told during the Christmas devotional for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is about her favorite Christmas as a child. Their family was very poor one Christmas because the babies had been sick. When Christmas Eve came, Edgar was sure Santa would come and started to hang the stockings. Their mother told them that he wasn't coming that year. Edgar was determined so she told them to put out a plate. In the morning they found a big pickle on each of their plates. Eyes filled with tears but trying not to let their mother see, the children headed back to their rooms. Their mother called to them knowing their heartache. She told them that she was sorry but she couldn't bear to leave their plates empty but they needed to remember that they had much to be grateful for and as their mother and father told them of their blessings they knew that it was true. They had a good day filled with a sleigh ride and family time. As they were clearing the dinner table Edgar picked up a plate and found a dime! He dressed as fast as he could and ran to Jud Stringham's house and asked him to open his grocery story. He opened the store for him and gave him a scoop of candy from each of the bins. Obviously more than a dime's worth and said,"You go home and give that to the little ones and take some for yourself to enjoy as well!" When Edgar got home he told his mother and she was heard to say,"God Bless Brother Stringham!" After Edgar returned, he gave each child a handful of sweets to eat while their mother recounted the Christmas story.
During breakfast I was able to tell my children this story and also the story of Christ's birth. I loved starting the day out this way. Remembering ancestors and what the day is really all about, the birth of Jesus Christ!
After the story we enjoyed our own family time opening gifts that we got for one another.
Timmy gave Ben some Mike the Knight action figures.
Bethany gave Sam an Olaf stuffed animal, mixels, and a lego board.
Matthew gave Bethany a Barbie and a Barbie water slide.
Ben gave Timmy Hero Factory Legos.
Scott gave Matthew a remote control car.
Sam got Scott fishing supplies. Scott that is for knocking out fish, not small children!
From Grandpa and Grandma Jeppsen...a trampoline!!
Thank you Grandpa and Grandma! I can't get Ben and Sam to come inside, they even jump in the dark they love it so much!
Since Grandma couldn't be here this year we wanted to do something special. So to find the present from Grandpa and Grandma Lay the kids had to put together a puzzle.
Look inside the tree and you will see,
a present to you from me,
find the red ornament with your name,
and have a Merry Christmas playing this game!
Scott can't believe what he found.
A Ping-Pong Table!
The only thing Sam wanted for Christmas was an Olaf waterbottle, which Santa delivered and an Olaf stuffed animal, thanks to Bethany, Sam was a happy man!
Once Ben found the ping-pong paddle and ball he didn't put them down all day. He is actually a really good server. But unfortunately he wouldn't let anyone play a game that he wasn't involved in!
Bethany was thrilled to get her new Christmas outfit and boots! She's so beautiful!
It was a wonderful day filled with love, jumping, and lots of ping-pong games!
Merry Christmas!
