Christmas Day

We had a low-key Christmas day. The girls were up early; we could hear them squealing down in their bed (yes, a sleepover all in one bed). Here is a little video clip of them coming up and seeing the tree, and looking in their stockings. It is a shortened version but gives you the joy and excitement of a child on Christmas morning.

The girls have been working on gifts for each other all month. They chose a project out of a little craft book we have, and with very little help from Geoff or me they completed these self-designed gifts.

Adele made the bags, Ceci made the hair bands, and Tennie made the little monster friends. They were so excited for their gifts to be opened, and there was much tackling and hugging afterwards.

Ceci and Adele got Santa slippers from our "French grandparents" who live upstairs, and little dolls from grandpa and Babsie.

I don't know if your house is the same, but toys are strewn around the floor Christmas day with dabblings into each gift. A little painting here, a half put together puzzle there, a game opened and examined but never played, dolls undressed and dressed again, and candycane wrappers that never made it to the garbage with all the distraction. Geoff and I stayed in our pajamas all day, we ate simply, and spent the evening talking with family. It was a great day.

What we can't capture in pictures, or adequately describe in our holiday posts, is that this has been one of our most sacred Christmases because of all the learning and growth we are experiencing individually and as a family. Our reliance on and love for the Savior has never been greater. The celebration of his birth and life and death is deep and personal this year. But those feelings will have to be shared at a different time, and possibly a different place.

We hope you had a joyful Christmas!