Then the kids all dressed up and acted out the nativity. Uncle Jon read from the scriptures and we sang the songs that went along. The second picture might be my favorite....Talbot is "diggin' for gold!"
Next we do presents. Lee hands them out, and we watch as each one gets opened. It always takes forever, since there's 17 grand-kids....however, Stephen & Crystal had a special gift for us all this year. As Cheryl opened up a card Crystal had made that had a number 18 on the front....inside it read "due July (something)," and there was an ultra-sound picture. We're so excited for there to be another little cousin! Congrats guys!
This year we had the girls all wear matching sweaters. Aren't they so festive!
Then of course; before the long trek home, we had a "night before Christmas" gift for our kids. Matching jammies. We usually give them a book to read as well....but this year decided on a DVD instead. Since we knew they'd be asleep before we made it home to read to them. This way they got to pick one of the DVD's and they watched it on the ride home. They chose Hairspray-since none of them had seen it. I don't know how I feel about the movie yet....it seems a little advanced for my young ones. It's rated PG, however, one line was "kiss my ass," and my kids AND I, about died. Parker and I just looked at each other, hoping none of them had heard....as I turn around to find them all still awake-lovely.
Parker made some reindeer food last week at school, and had been waiting till Christmas Eve when he got to sprinkle it all over our grass. It's oatmeal with a little bit of glitter mixed in, so the reindeer can see the food in the grass. He was so excited when he was spreading it around. They all slept so well that night, and NONE of them woke up in the night and came in our room.....the first night in a long time. The threat that Santa might not come unless they were all tucked in their OWN beds-may have influenced their decision at 2am ;)
