Christmas 2016!

Christmas Eve morning, to finish off the Light the World service, we gave a stocking stuffed full of little gifts and gift cards to a family in need. She had posted on the yardsale Facebook page that I am a part of that they needed help, then she took it down soon after because she felt bad about asking for help, but I was able to contact her and get her address so I could give it to her. She has young teenagers so I think that is why she took it down because she figured they would understand. But I feel like often they get forgotten so I really wanted to do that family. She was very grateful and I am glad we could do that service and show our kids the living conditions of other people who aren't so fortunate and that we can help too, even if it's just a stocking.

The plan was to spend Christmas at the Summers', go home for Santa to bring presents, then go to church at the Summer's 11:00 church (because ours was at 1:00) and then head to the Hancock's to celebrate with my family. Well, we had to have a change in plans. But let me back up.

For Christmas Eve, we were in charge of the program. We had the little ones sing a song or two, Annika played a piano piece, and Matthew or Steven read "Twas the Night Before Christmas." We did the nativity using the puppets so the kids acted it out with the puppets while someone read (Grandpa?) and we sang some Christmas songs throughout. It was nice. Then afterwards, we did the Left Right game (we sit in a circle and Grandma reads a story she has made up and whenever she says right, we pass to the right; whenever she says left, we pass to the left then open the present that we stop on). Kylie did not like passing her present around. She just wanted to open it! But the kids always enjoy that.

After that we went home, left out some cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, put the kids to bed, and then Santa came! Logan's big present was a Wii U, which Santa had to set up downstairs so he left a note to say where it was. Kylie got baby things: a pack n' pack, a high chair that can also be a swing or a baby carrier, and a stroller. They both loved their presents!

The following pictures are presents from family

We had to rush Christmas morning a bit since we did have to go to church (just sacrament meeting). It had started snowing, but we made it to Grandma and Grandpa Summers' house just fine. But going from their house up the hill to the church was not working out. We got stuck! And had to be pushed a bit to get going to make it up that hill. Even then, the car was really struggling. Too much snow and ice. We finally made it after much frustration. They really should have just cancelled church, it was so bad. And unfortunately, the Gees also were struggling and never made it at all up that hill. Because of that, and because the snow was still coming down, we decided not to risk it to go to the Hancock's. We just stayed at the Summers'. 

So instead of spending time with my family on Christmas, we planned a day to go to the Grand America Hotel to see the windows they decorate and to exchange the presents we needed to exchange. They decorated the windows like different countries this year so it was fun to try to guess which country it was. And of course it is always fun to get together with cousins!

The hooded towels that Grandma Davis made for them for Christmas

Logan in front of the gingerbread house. And it is made from real candy!