A Good Christmas

On Friday family arrived!  Dan and the children were first.  Then Miranda and Dan and Andy and Kera and kids carpooled over from Tulsa. Tom and I had gone out to do a little shopping, so we didn't get to see the joyful reunion of Camden and Dan.  Actually, I think Camden was still sleeping and not all that ready to face being away and seeing Dan after about 2 weeks of not having him around.  However, I definitely became the bottom of the pecking order.  My hugs, which had been so welcome to sooth all ills were suddenly repulsive.  Yes, repulsed with great volume and the push-away-arm.  That's okay.  We got snuggling time while Miranda was gone.  He's a smart boy.  He knows when he's got to be happy with Grandma's lovings and when he doesn't.

The weather was chilly, but sunny.  So the kids raced outside to the zip line and the woods to play.  They returned when hands got too cold.  For dinner we'd prepared a ham and some lovely potatoes.  Alas, the potatoes took too long to cook, so we had to make do with delicious garlic beans instead.. and a few pies-- pumpkin, pecan, and french silk.

Saturday the women spent most of the day in the kitchen: dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, more pies: apple, blueberry, key lime, lemon meringue, chocolate chess-- Rebecca says we made 19 pies all totaled of 9 different varieties.  We cooked yams and turkey and stuffing... and most even took a break mid-day to go thrift store shopping.  Tom took many of the grand-kids out to collect fallen wood and then build a bonfire.  They came in to snag some marshmallows to burn... er... roast.  There was the traditional last minute wrapping and amidst it all 12 giggling, laughing, screaming, crying children.  Below: A cute moment with Camden and Rylee.

 We invited Barbara to dinner and ate about 5.  We digested for a bit,  and a variety of kids got bathed in the early evening.  Then we had the Christmas Story read about 7pm and the Bombider Christmas story from "Christmas Stories I Love."  And we sang some carols.  No one seemed to be ready for bed, but we stuffed a few in.  Put the rest of the kids in front of a Christmas movie, and the adults went to play 5 crowns.  At way to late-- we put gifts under the tree and went to bed.

The sleeping arrangements were...er... cozy.  Rebecca had her entire family of 7 plus maybe a borrowed kid in the suite.  Miranda and Dan and Camden took the lower bedroom.  Andy and Kera filled the office with themselves plus 2 kids.  We bedded down with Aaron and Emma on our floor.  And Grandma had the small bedroom.  I think no one slept in the living room or family room.  Actually... I'm not sure how much anyone slept anywhere at all.  We got up a little after 6 on Christmas day.

Some of us went to Church about 9am for choir practice.  Kera and Dan came along as they were singing O Holy Night in Sacrament.  It was a lovely service.  Lots of singing of Christmas Hymns.  The reading of the Christmas Story from the Bible.  Some people talking about Christmases they remembered best. And our sweet Bishop gave a short message.  The Choir sang one song, Dan and Kera sang, and there was lots of congregational singing.

Tom had to stay back and count tithing, so by the time WE got home, the kids were well past ready to eat and some to nap.  We still dragged them outside for pictures, then ate-- leftovers and pie!-- and put the little ones down for naps.  Then we gathered around the tree for what Rebecca calls "the loot-fest!"  I think all were delighted with their gifts!  Rebecca had bought some balls that vibrated and swirled colors and played rap music... well something that might be considered music.  They were a hit with the little kids.  Camden wanted to hold it all during the picture taking.  It would shake his whole arms!  We were really glad there was an off switch.  The noise got a bit wearing. Joshua got a camcorder that he's had much fun with.  He's taken videos of him careening down the zip-line.  Not sure how I feel about a one-handed zip.  Rylee got a  stroller and shopping cart. Charlotte had a doll.  They had great fun sharing toys and pushing them around the house.  Charlotte filled her cart with her gifts and pushed it all over.

Some settled down with books.  Adults visited, napped, ate, chatted and ate some more.   Tom took us all for a walk to the pond and around the fields.  Maybe it worked of a slice or two of pie.  In the evening, we pulled out our new Dominoes game and had fun.  Kera won with 21 points compared to the rest of us with over 100 each!

Today we slept in a little.  Kera and Andy packed up and were gone by about 10am.  We kept Nathan back to be a worker and earn money for scout camp this summer.  By noon, Miranda, Dan, Camden and Dan White left.  They drove Dan White to Tulsa to fly home.  He couldn't miss work.  Rebecca will stay to play for another week or so.  Dan will pin on Major at the first of the year.  We are proud of him!

So the house is a little quieter.  But we are having a single mom and her two kids over for dinner and Family Home Evening tonight.  Don't need to worry about desserts.  We still have parts of 6 pies.  Oh.  Tom called on the way home from picking her up.  Can we feed two more?  Sure.  And indeed, as with the loaves and the fishes, we had enough.  But now.... I be tired.