We spent most of Saturday, December 21 with my family, celebrating Christmas. It was a great day filled with food, fun, laughter, presents and games.
Eliza and Grandpa being silly!
It is an annual tradition to take a family photo. What a fun keepsake to see how much the children have grown! This year's photo was less than perfect, making us glad we had Paul out over Thanksgiving to take some professional photos--we haven't had those done in a couple of years so it was time!
After the photo, it was time for presents. Mom got each child only one or two presents . . . a perfect number in my opinion!
Eden got a horse trailer and pickup to match the one Eliza got for her birthday. They both might enjoy different ways to play but they still enjoy playing together even if it means that Eden has to play horses with Eliza and Eliza has to play Barbies with Eden.
And Eden got some Ken doll clothes to go with the Ken she is about to get.
Ephraim was happy with two books on his wish list and a herd of cows!
Emmet's main gift was a bow and arrow set. It is a youth version but at least now he can be outside with Ephraim and start practicing.
He was pretty excited about this gift!
Eliza got some Barbie and Ken clothes, too. My mom found a lady who sells homemade Barbie clothes at a craft show so that's where she got these.
Eliza got a horse barn "that she's waited a long time for!"
The adults opted out of gift-giving this year. Instead, we gave our money to buy goats through Many Hands for Haiti. Of special interest is that at least one of our goats may be presented to the family that my parents sponsor in Haiti. Truly a life-changing gift for them.
Mom did bless us with some of her special canned beef!
The girls were excited to get a Barbie DVD from Alyssa.
Both girls would each get a Farmer Ken "Barbie" set.
Emmet got a skid loader from Garret.
Ephraim got two books on Dragons of the Deep and Sea Monsters.
We took a break so Emmet could practice his aim on his new bow. The hay barn was a perfect location for target practice.
We always do stockings after supper. So, after a yummy soup supper, the kids wanted to open their stockings!
All my children got a elaborate Color-by-Number book. They are thrilled with them!
The girls got some Legos, a bookmark and color books, too.
On Facebook, I posted a photo of the girls in 2007. They were IN their stockings. Now, in 2013, this is as far as they get.
The picture from 2007:
No family gathering is complete without a round or two or three of Spit.
It was so nice to spend the day together (I'm grateful we don't HAVE to have our gathering on Christmas Day). It was so nice to give our money away, pay it forward, bless those who have very little. It was nice to have the whole day together and not be rushing off to another event. An all-around memorable day.
" . . . see that you also excel in this grace of giving." 2 Corinthians 8:7
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