Sunday, January 1, 2012

Christmas 2012

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year! Grandma and Grandpa Young joined us for a busy and fun-filled holiday.

Stan got into town on Thursday. On Friday morning we all met up at the girl’s school to listen to their musical programs. They were very cute and we were so impressed with how well they had memorized the lyrics and choreography!

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Saturday morning (Christmas Eve) we went caroling in the halls of an old folks home in Glendale. This is our second year doing this with the Ely family. I’m so glad we have started doing this. It is such a meaningful thing. IMG_5070IMG_5053IMG_5061IMG_5073IMG_5077

After caroling, we headed over to Gram and Papa Ely’s for Puff Oven Pancakes and a brunch potluck. We did the cousin/sibling gift exchange and a fast-paced white elephant game with the adults. Of course, no Family Christmas Gathering would be complete without a nativity scene, so we got out Gram’s costumes and made it happen….

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After a long afternoon we headed home and started getting ready for Christmas morning. Suzi stayed as late as Stan could handle, helping us wrap presents and help get everything ready for Santa!

The girls slept in until after 7:00! We all got ready for church in Mom and Dad’s room – No Peeking!!! After we were dressed and ready for breakfast, we let the girls come out and see the tree and gifts, but no touching until after church! The girls were excellent (except Little Tori, who kept inspecting any present she could get her hands on)!

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After church, we tried to get a few family photos… got some cute shots, but nothing that we will be hanging on the wall as this year’s “official family photo”.

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And on to the presents….

We open them one by one and watch and enjoy everything together… yes this takes forever, but it is a fun forever that is bonding and memory making!

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We had a wonderful Christmas. We were so blessed to have family with us… Parents/Grandparents that take such good care of us and we are especially grateful for our very own Santa.  We are excited to pay it forward this coming year!!

1 comment:

Linz said...

I wasn't sure if that dog was real... Kind thought it might be a statue. Guess it must not be.