A Very Merry Christmas

It's Christmas time again,

and, as always,

my favorite moments come from

spending time with those we love most

and taking part in traditions

that have been a part of our family

for many years:

Christmas Eve always starts with a

Christmas Concert,

followed by the reading of the Nativity Story
and some favorite Christmas hymns.

There are special ornaments
chosen specifically for each person,
and then the stocking madness begins.
Over the years they've gotten so full
that we now have to resort to using
grocery sacks to contain all the goodness...
but there are still tiny treasures to be found
down deep in the toes.As soon as we get home from Grandma Great's
the kiddos pop into bed in anticipation
of the gloriousness of Christmas morning.
Okay, not so much anticipation this year...
they didn't rouse until 9:00!
But good ol' Santa came through again...
Bringing everyone "something they want"
(used to be "something to play,"but who "plays" with tennis shoes?)
followed by traditional gifts from Brad and I...

"something to share,"
"something to read,"
and "something to wear."

Same four kinds of things every year. (This is my attempt to keep my life and my budget under control at Christmas time!)

Every year on the morning of the 26th,
we trek on over to Grandma & Grandpa's house
so we can do it all again.
Here's how they looked 7 years ago
when we got our first digital camera...and here's how they look now.
(oh - they were so much cuter and
so much easier back then!)
Grandma is a master at picking great gifts, then...
and now.
Then...
and now.
Then...

and now.

But just like that First Christmas,

this year the best gift was the gift of life.

We're so grateful to have little Molly in our lives...

Just like we're grateful to have the Savior

each and every day.

We hope your Christmas was blessed-

full of family togetherness

and gratitude for the gift of God's Son.