Tis the Season...

I am a HUGE fan of December & all of the festivities! I love spending time with family & friends, & the spirit of Christmas & the meaning of why we celebrate it. I love EVERYTHING about Christmas! It truly is a magical time of the year.

We had a lot of family functions this year (we do every year). And that is what makes it so much fun!

December 9th, started the first festivity with family. We went to the annual Richards family Birthday/Christmas party for Grandma Richards. She was unable to make it, due to her health, but it was still nice to celebrate her day & be with family. Every year the family donates money or canned goods to a family in need. This year it was money. They also had everyone write Grandma a letter. I really admire Grandma & I am very grateful for her & all that she does for the family. She is such an inspiration & truly loves her family. I have always been comfortable around her & felt welcomed by her. She is the glue that holds us together. The dinner was delicious, & the games & socializing was quite entertaining. Dave has a huge family & I am still trying to get to know all the names of everyone. Just when I think I have names down, then more arrive or there are new additions. It's a lot of fun though & we look forward to it EVERY year.

Lyvie with Santa at the Richards party.

December 18th, was our next family shindig. This time it was in Mountain Green with the Jaques side of the family. My Grandpa Jaques arranged to have dinner & games at the church close to his house. Dinner was delicious & the games were a lot of fun! The kids got a surprise visit from Santa Clause, & it was fun to see their excitement!!!

Lyvie telling Santa what she wanted for Christmas

Abi not so sure about the man in the red.

All the kids with Santa!

Decemer 19th, My parents have a dinner with us kids and our families. This year we had the dinner at Tanya & Adams. We ate good & played good. Every year we choose a differnt "theme" for dinner. This year it was taco salads & all that goes with it. Oh it was so good!!! After dinner the kids get to play a game with the gifts they give to each other. Then the adults do an auction with some fun ideas & gifts that we make or buy. It was so much fun & always something I look forward to.

Dave's brother & his family, Jay, Tita & kids, surprised everyone by traveling from Texas to spend Christmas with us all. It was SO good to see them. We spent a few evenings at Dave's parents to spend it with the family. Christmas Eve we had dinner there & then had the kids do the Nativity program put on by Jay & T. You couldn't deny the spirit that was felt that night.

We came home and finished out the night by opening our jammies & ornaments. Both the girls seemed to like their pj's. Dave surprised me with mine & I love them! Lyvie made sure that the cookies & milk was set out for Santa & went to bed without a fuss.

Christmas Day was very nice. It was very relaxed & not rushed. The girls got what they wanted, & even Dave & I got spoiled. We visited both sides of the family & then came home & spent the evening with each other. It turned out to be a nice day. Thanks everyone for the cards, treats, gifts. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives.

Lyvie & all her Barbie loot that she got for Christmas.
I don't know why I never got a picture of Abi and her Christmas gifts.


MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!