More Favorite Christmas Moments

 

 

Traditions of Christmas Part 2

#6  Christmas Eve at Grandma Schenks

 

Singing "Silent Night".  Josh played the piano for us which helped greatly.

 

 

Devin was asked to share a brief message about the true meaning of Christmas.

 

Gifts were opened and some were enjoyed right on the spot.

 



Christmas PJ pants for the boys, and a few other fun gifts on display.

 



Holiday tablecloths for the girls this year.

 



 And what beautiful girls they are!

 

 

#7  Hanging Up Stockings and Setting Out Cookies and Milk for Santa

What a fun surprise Christmas morning to discover that Santa had really been here, and he had eaten all those lovely sugar cookies and even downed the milk!

It's such a magical time of year!

#8  Lining up Christmas Morning

 

A very important tradition.  This way everyone gets to see the gifts Santa brought all at once.

 

#9  The White Envelope

 

 

Each year the kids surprise Keith and I with a white envelope on the tree.  Inside they write about some kind deeds or acts of service they have done.  This year they each did service for 50 different people.  Wow!  They had 50 days to get it done, and everyone of them were able to affect 50 lives!  What an amazing feat. Each of them detailed by list who they served and what they did to help them.  What a treasure.  My kids certainly inspire me with their willingness to reach out to others.

#10  A Family Christmas Program

After a wonderful turkey and all the trimmings dinner with both Grandma Schenk and Grandma Hart,

We settled down for our program.

 



Katie and I sang "Mary's Lullabye".  Thanks to Josh for his accompaniament.  He's added a whole new dimension of possibilities to our productions.

 



There was little duet planned at this point, but it was short lived.

 



After a rousing rendition of "We Three Kings" sung by Devin and Eric,

 



Eleanor was ready now to perform and immediately hollered out "MYYY TUUURN" as she sprinted toward the piano.  Then we were favored with a musical number by Eleanor as she both sang and played.

 



With the music portion of the evening concluded, we adjourned to the North Wing.  Dennis shared a great poem told by Presiden Monson about building bridges for those who will follow you.
 



 

Diane shared a Christmas story about giving gifts that really matter. 

 

 

Eric read the illustrated scripture Christmas story.

 

 

And Eleanor made her final appearance of the evening dressed as Mary with a carefully swaddled baby Jesus.

 

These and others are the many traditions of Christmas we enjoy each year.