Family Time, Christmas Time

I find that the best part of Christmas is just being with family and friends, watching the happy grandchildren running around with each other, eating too much food, singing Christmas Carols and just enjoying each other's company.

Below we have pictures of us decorating the tree, Elli is being helping by Grandpa. I think the boys are dancing while Riley and Addyson decorate the tree.

Last night we went to the Church Christmas Party and listened to some of the grandkids sing... I recorded it on my camera, but I don't know how to download it on to my blog. One more thing I will have to learn before I die (the list just keeps getting longer, I'll have to live to be 102 like my Granny).

After the lovely songs of Jesus and a wonderful dinner, Kurt and I went down to the San Diego Temple to view the temple lights. Wow, they are beautiful this year, I hope 1000s of people come to the temple grounds to see the gorgeous light display and here the beautiful music.

Here is to family and friends!!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS

It is true, I love Christmas. I love the hearing people talk and sing about Jesus Christ. I love the carols, the nativity scenes, the decorating of my home, and the excitement of Grandchildren. I love the strangers that greet you with happy faces and "Merry Christmas."

Today the grandkids who live in town are coming over to decorate our tree. We started this tradition last year, and I think it is one that will last. So for now, some pictures of the house decorated, the tree ready to be decorated and most important of all, the table set for a pizza party with the kids. I am so excited...this is as good as

the year I got a Barbi dream house for Christmas...and that was in 1960... actually, every Christmas has been wonderful!

I enjoy getting out the decorations that I have had for years and years and holding each one as I decide where to place them. I have ornaments that were on my Granny and Gramp Herrold's first Christmas tree...96 years ago. Well actually there are only two left, the rest were broken when Brian climbed the tree at 18months and the tree fell over...thank goodness he was alright...but he sure did scream with that 13 foot tree on top of him!

I have decorations that were painted by me, and by my mother-in-law, Jan. Getting those out remind me of the tole lessons she taught to the "Marler Sisters" years ago.

There is also my Santa collection, some quite silly and others very beautiful. I'll show the beautiful ones. The two red ones were gifts from Jan (she made them), the white on on the right was from the Graff's and the gold one, from an after Christmas special in 1999.

My other collection is of nativity sets, the one at the top of the page, was given to me by my children...I also have a set carved of olive wood from the Holy Land that Mom and Dad gave us in 1977, hand painted sets, a precious moments set...and a few others. I enjoy having them around the house as constant reminders that we celebrate Christmas as a gift to Christ, a way to thank him for all he has done for us.

I guess it is time to get ready for the family to arrive....