Christmas Eve

We were so thankful to be able to go to Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Lynn's house for Christmas. We didn't think we were going to be able to go because of the bad snow storms. In fact, the freeway was closed on the day we were supposed to leave. We thought we would have to stay home. Gavin was very upset. He isn't the most flexible child so when plans change, he has a melt down! He said he can't have a fun Christmas unless it was at Grandma's house. Thankfully, the weather cleared on Christmas Eve so we were able to make the drive up and get there in time for the fun Christmas Eve festivities - and before another storm hit. The kids thought it was great to get to Grandma's house in the daylight. We got there around 4:30pm. I guess I hadn't really thought of it before - when we usually go up there, it is after school or work so we always get there at bed time.

Christmas Eve was fun - in true Thompson Family tradition form. This year, Karen had planned a bunch of fun games for the kids - with prizes and all. The kids thought it was great. She took them around in circuits and groups to play each game. Rachel was a wonderful helper with our kids...I was stuck feeding Cambrie (who slept the whole way to Idaho so she was starving when we got there!). Rachel was great to help take the kids around to all of the games. Thank you Karen and Rachel - and everyone else who helped plan the games and prizes for our kids!

We had a delicious Christmas feast. There was turkey and a wonderful leg of lamb to go along with the mashed potatoes, salads, stuffing, baked brie, and other tasty appetizers. There was so much food; I don't think I even got to taste it all!

This year, we had a special program. Rachel and her kids created a cute video presentation of Christmas carols and an awesome poem about a Nutcracker. They then gave us each a Nutcracker and a copy of the poem. It was cute. I had never heard that poem before. After their presentation, Troy and I helped the kids with a little nativity presentation. Instead of having the kids act out the story - we just read a little advent story. We had laminated pictures of the stable, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus....plus all the other animals and characters that came that night. As we read, all the little kids placed the characters on the whiteboard next to the stable. It was fun to see where they placed them. It was fun and simple; I am glad we talked about the meaning of Christmas and reminded the kids that night about why we were really celebrating.

After our little family devotional, Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Lynn gave the kids their presents and they opened them. Alyssa was a little jealous because Kara got a Bye Bye Chou Chou doll and that was what she had asked Santa for. When Kara opened it, Alyssa's eyes popped and her jaw dropped. It was hilarious. I knew it was coming, so I watched Alyssa. I was proud of her because she was really happy for Kara. She told Kara she had asked Santa for that doll so she would get hers in the morning. I thought that was pretty mature for a 4 year old. Gavin and Tyler got awesome Batman cars....complete with the cool motorcycle that shoots out of the car - just like you see in The Dark Knight. They were thrilled. Brandon received a cool transformer (which Gavin also wanted), Alyssa got a birthday cake/party play set, Rylan got a cute pack of Playskool cars (he LOVES cars) and Emily got a huge, soft, pink My Little Pony. Cambrie got a cute outfit. I am sure Brooke got a cute one as well. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the fun gifts....but most of all, thank you for all you do for our family. We love you so much. The grandkids love you and always want to come see you. Spending time with Grandparents definitely is special!

After Troy and Mary and their family left to go home, we had our own spiritual Christmas moment with our kids. On Christmas Eve, we like to give the kids a present that will remind them about Jesus. Christmas Day they can have fun with Santa and the gifts - but on Christmas Eve, we want to make sure we spend some time thinking about Jesus and how grateful we are for Him. We usually give the kids pajamas on Christmas Eve as well; however, this year, money was tight and the pajamas we gave them last year were too big last year - but fit perfect this year. They were happy to wear them again. They looked cute. They all got in their jammies and we took pictures in front of the tree. We then opened our spiritual gifts. Gavin and Alyssa got their own copies of the Book of Mormon. They were so excited. Alyssa loves to play Primary. She pretends she is conducting the meetings and she will call different people (or stuffed animals/dolls) up to give the prayers, scriptures, talks, etc. Needless to say, her new Book of Mormon is already going to great use. Rylan and Cambrie got cute books of the Christmas story. We read their books, again talked about why we celebrate Christmas and then we tried to get the kids in bed.

Gavin reminded us we forgot to bring our Christmas cookies (the ones we made with Kristol's family) - so we left Gogurts for Santa and convinced Gavin that Santa will get lots of sweets and will probably like a healthy snack. Like all parents on Christmas Eve, it is a challenge getting kids to stay in their rooms and go to sleep....but it was fun!

I just love Christmas. I love spending time with family and I love seeing the excitement of kids. It is wonderful watching our kids get older as they understand more about what holidays are and really "get it". It has been fun watching them prepare for Santa's arrival the past several weeks as they get excited about different toys they want....or threaten each other about Santa not coming to them if they do something naughty....or getting excited about Christmas movies and music. Even Rylan has been singing Christmas songs. You can't always understand what he is singing, but he has the tune right! It is very touching to watch them grow and understand the true meaning of Christmas and to appreciate their Savior and truly love Him.