CHRISTMAS EVE SPECIAL

Christmas Eve is our big family gathering lately.  Christmas is celebrated in each home but we like to go all out on Christmas Eve.  We have a dinner and this years we said be here at 5:00PM which in istelf is a miracle for most but we did start early.  We roasted a ten pound Rib roast with the bone in.  One has to cook meat with love and concern and this year it was perfect.  Everyone brought sides and desserts.  Doug, Emily, and Mike and their families were there.  Doug brought Dr. Lee, his Chinese surgical shadow as well.

We all sat around and sung Christmas carols. Then we had the Mapleton  Bells performers from Mike and Emily's families.  They are getting pretty good and it was delightful.

We then read from Luke 2 and the kids performed the nativity.

Here are Mary and Joseph and a charming donkey.  We interspersed the scripture with Christmas carols and all had a jolly good time.

Here are the Three Wise Men; Joseph, Michael and Spencer,  Sometimes I wonder about doing it but the kids learn the story so well and so look forward to playing a part.

Here they all are.  Following the skit, we had Oma's White Elephant Gift exchange.  Everyone bought a gift, slightly daffy but still a good gift.
One of the kids picked out a really nice Pogo stick Mom's was a set of Reindeer Antlers which was popular.  It was fun!

As this was going on, John slipped out and got into his Santa Outfit complete with pillows and beard and came rollicking in with another bag of gifts.





He placed each person on his lap and did the pre Christmas interview...,"Have you been a good boy/girl this year?".  Here is Emily getting the questions by Santa, (her husband).  One of the teenagers asked Santa for a car which brought forth a lot of Ho Ho Ho's from all.

As this Santa was leaving, a second unannounced Santa appeared.  It was wacky Cathy with a huge gift saying, "I heard Opa was good this year!"

Each family gathering seems to get better with so much joy and love around.  What a great time of the year and how special it is to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We wish you all the best in the new year!

Love, Mom and Dad