Christmas 2011
Christmas this year was definitely a lot better for our family. As parents it is definitely a blessing to see them growing up so fast and to observe how much they have learned. We all have our moments when we wish things would be easier. But it is so important that we remember to be thankful for the things we are blessed to enjoy. We started the Christmas 2011 celebration with some much needed family time. We loved playing games with our kids and watching them color pictures to enjoy. They sang their songs for us and we enjoyed it so much.
Christmas week, we continued the celebration on the 23rd. We went to visit my brother and his wife and 3 year old daughter. They were so sweet to invite us for dinner then presented the kids with gifts. Our kids were definitely thrilled--not to mention, amazingly well mannered when opening their gifts. They didn't realize it but they had just received the first of many gifts from their Secret Santas.....
The next day, Christmas Eve, they were blessed with a Secret Santa that dropped off more gifts for each of them. Clothing, Toys and hair accesories for the girls. We saved those gifts for Christmas day.
Christmas Eve, we celebrated at our traditional Browns family Christmas party.
We played games, had a soup buffet and desserts, did our nativity re-enactment and finished off with our white elephant gift exchange and the kids decorating Sugar cookies for Santa.
(We can't forget how funny it was when the kids uncle and cousin were wrestling...pretty sure that our nephew won! lol!)
The kids played with their cousins and then we finished off the day watching movies at home.
Christmas morning we woke up and the kids were super excited to open up their gifts from "Santa". We spent our time with Tupea family. The kids opened their presents from Santa along with their cousins. We skipped our traditional breakfast and had some cereal. We attended church for an hour and enjoyed the nice sacrament meeting program centered on the Birth of Christ. After church we came home, ate a HUGE lunch/dinner which consisted of Salmon, Palusami, Pot Roast, Potatoes, Rice, Baked Chicken and later we enjoyed some scrumptious desserts. After dinner the kids watched movies and played with some of their new gifts. Afterwards, my husbby and I were able to relax and talk about our day. (The final part of Christmas that truly made it a great Christmas.) The time we were able to spend together as a couple and with our families is priceless.
We are grateful for the many "Secret Santas" who gave so freely of their time and gifts for the kids. But more importantly we are so grateful that we have a knowledge of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We are so blessed to celebrate his birth. There is a God, he hears and answers our prayers. Our Savior's atonement is a testament of Him. We love our family and friends and look forward to the blessings coming in 2012. Happy New Year, from our family to yours.
FT&P Always...(I luv you honey! Thank your for blessing me with your love, definitely the best gift!)
Christmas week, we continued the celebration on the 23rd. We went to visit my brother and his wife and 3 year old daughter. They were so sweet to invite us for dinner then presented the kids with gifts. Our kids were definitely thrilled--not to mention, amazingly well mannered when opening their gifts. They didn't realize it but they had just received the first of many gifts from their Secret Santas.....
Christmas Eve, we celebrated at our traditional Browns family Christmas party.
We played games, had a soup buffet and desserts, did our nativity re-enactment and finished off with our white elephant gift exchange and the kids decorating Sugar cookies for Santa.
(We can't forget how funny it was when the kids uncle and cousin were wrestling...pretty sure that our nephew won! lol!)
The kids played with their cousins and then we finished off the day watching movies at home.
Christmas morning we woke up and the kids were super excited to open up their gifts from "Santa". We spent our time with Tupea family. The kids opened their presents from Santa along with their cousins. We skipped our traditional breakfast and had some cereal. We attended church for an hour and enjoyed the nice sacrament meeting program centered on the Birth of Christ. After church we came home, ate a HUGE lunch/dinner which consisted of Salmon, Palusami, Pot Roast, Potatoes, Rice, Baked Chicken and later we enjoyed some scrumptious desserts. After dinner the kids watched movies and played with some of their new gifts. Afterwards, my husbby and I were able to relax and talk about our day. (The final part of Christmas that truly made it a great Christmas.) The time we were able to spend together as a couple and with our families is priceless.
We are grateful for the many "Secret Santas" who gave so freely of their time and gifts for the kids. But more importantly we are so grateful that we have a knowledge of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We are so blessed to celebrate his birth. There is a God, he hears and answers our prayers. Our Savior's atonement is a testament of Him. We love our family and friends and look forward to the blessings coming in 2012. Happy New Year, from our family to yours.
FT&P Always...(I luv you honey! Thank your for blessing me with your love, definitely the best gift!)
How fun was ur Cheistmas??...gees Jealous!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you all had a blast! =)
ReplyDeleteSweet! Sounds like a lovely Christmas in your home. I'm so glad. We too were blessed with many wonderful gifts from secret Santa's this year.
ReplyDeleteYou have such beautiful chilren Ane!
Hope you have a most joyous year ahead.
Happy New Year!
Can't believe Christmas is over and done.....along with 2011.
ReplyDeleteAwesome job with the party, Ane! It was fun....although we were missing so many, still a great time for our first Utah Christmas. We love you guys!