Taking Time

Every year my Mother and Father in-law would give us a new ornament. I was playing around with my new camera and took a pic of an ornament on the tree. I didn't really look at which one I picked and when I saw this saying I thought it was very appropriate for today. We do need to take time for this special holiday. We took time this morning to attend Church and enjoyed a nice program with scripture readings and beautiful music by a tiny choir of adults and children with special numbers that brought tears to my eyes. I'm very grateful for the time we spent there this morning to remember the real reason for this season, our Savior Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us. Then we went home and spent time with family. Our children that live here in Ashland came in the afternoon to open gifts, eat and share fun times with each other. I was grateful for a loving family and the beautiful day we had.

Even Eddy was excited to open gifts today.

The tables were set with the Christmas china. When I looked closely at this pic I was surprised to look at the outside from the dining room windows..it looks like snow! It's been a very mild December and we haven't had any snow...yet...but this pic makes it look like we are having a white Christmas.

We set up a Children's table for the first time. It's the first time we haven't had any kiddos that needed a highchair or had to sit on a parent's lap!

Lexi and Addy came a little earlier than the other kids so I had Lexi help me make some appetizers. She's a good helper!

When our son Jack arrived with his family the first thing Driana was excited to show off were her new boots! Of course PawPaw had to comment that he thought she just forgot to shave her legs....what a kidder he is! I thought they were really cute!

Lexi was excited to show off her "super cool" feather in the hair look. Cute Lexi!

Addy was more interested in seeing what was behind all the pretty wrappings! After everyone arrived we snacked a bit then opened gifts. We had fun and I think everyone liked what they got. Tomorrow is a shopping day for the teens and I think if anything needs returned, they can have fun doing that! Me? I try and avoid any and all malls at this time of year....actually I don't enjoy shopping that much and I think staying away from all the crowds keeps me healthier. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!

After gifts were opened, everyone was ready for the big feast. Ham and tons of fixings were put out on the island buffet style. Everything turned out great even if I did spill the green bean casserole all over the inside of the oven...

After the meal was over I took the kiddos that wanted to head outside for a nice walk. The weather was perfect...around 40de. and sunny. Felt like Easter instead of Christmas! It was also windy and I wished we had some kites to fly. Oh well, it was fun anyway.

The walk down our country road was perfect for "cousin follow the leader" game!

As the day ended, I thought I'd better snap a few shots before everyone left. Summer and Driana are the cutest sisters around! Well, all my Granddaughters are beautiful and I can't believe how fast everyone is growing up.

Then there's these two monkeys...I think they had a great Christmas day and now they're ready for a nice week off school to play with all the new video games they scored this year!

I made this little decoration years ago and I still like it even though it's got some very obvious flaws. But then, don't we all have very obvious flaws? And won't our Savior make them Ok if we just ask for His help and guidance? Merry Christmas everyone....