Thursday brought the gathering of women to my sis-in-law's home for our annual lefsa making. For those non-Norwegians out there, lefsa is a potato tortilla which is usually served warm with butter and sugar and then rolled up and eaten quickly! Flour usually ends up covering the kitchen and the cooks, as does laughter and joy. The babies come along too and join in the fun. Below is my mother-in-law (Mavis) holding her newest grandchild, my nephew Ansel at his first lefsa making.
Friday night was Sabbath dinner at the in-law's. Mexican done right, or so I was told! Putting up the tree and stockings, hanging the lights and decorations, eating lots of yummy food and treats makes for an evening full of precious moments.Saturday was a special Christmas Eve service at church. Lights, candles, special music, stories and dance. I always love our Christmas Eve services!
Saturday night we spent in Iowa City with my side of the family. Lasagna, salad and cheese bread...yumm! The guys played some games and the kiddos enjoyed a movie while we ladies visited and caught up on our week. Below is our Little Miss in her adorable little Christmas dress opening a gift from her Great-Grandma.
After the kids are in bed Christmas Eve, "Daddy Santa" and his "Elf" helper fill the stockings, put presents under the tree and eat cookies! The kids know it is just mom and dad, but seem to really enjoy this tradition. (It also keeps little ones from discovering gifts before its time!)Sunday morning...Christmas morning! Sweet rolls baking in the oven, lights twinkling on the tree and little ones dancing around the house excited open their gifts. Each child receives one gift from us and a handful of items in their stockings. Christmas is not about getting "stuff" in our house. We emphasize the gift that God gave us in the birth of Jesus and the awesome opportunity we have to give and share with others. This year, the older three got a Toy Story 3 "life size" doll. Here are the smiles of joy after opening them!
After loading up the vehicle and heading out of town, we stopped by the "house site" to make some special Christmas memories in the new house. We had been gifted an additional artificial tree and set it up in the entry way of the new house (without telling the kids). Then we bought them each something else they weren't expecting and set them up around the tree. Then daddy brought them in through the front door as I tried to capture their surprise with the camera.
Our oldest got a "Polar Express" train set (Menard's Black Friday sale!). Next one received a guitar to replace the one lost this summer, which she uses for music at church, as well as a new princess doll. Little Man got a Batman toy (a recent favorite) and a little Mario toy for his new room. Little Miss received a toy purse. And I surprised Ben with a rc helicopter to replace the one lost this summer. Very precious memories!Then we traveled the five minutes to Ed & Mavis' for Ben's family Christmas. Yummy dinner, lots of laughter and more fun!
From our family to yours...Merry Christmas!
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