Merry Christmas!

We spent Christmas morning at our house this year, I think we've only ever done this once before. We had such a great time opening presents together and watching our kids glow with excitement. So fun.

Nathan had the best expressions by far this year, each present was so exciting. I loved watching his face.

Opening an exciting gift from G&G King, that we can't wait to set up in the spring!

In the afternoon we headed down to Vernon for dinner, more presents and partying with my family. Turkey dinner and a great game of killer bunnies was enjoyed by all. We also are proud to say that thanks to my mom and dad, we now have a new addition to our family, a new shiny Wii!! We are so excited and have been playing all morning. Yay for Christmas! So fun to be together.

A Visit from Santa on Christmas Eve....

and new Christmas jammies!

On Christmas Eve, as tradition in our family dictates, our kids put on a Christmas pageant along with their uncles and aunt who were great sports. It truly was a pageant unlike any other. I've never seen a nativity where Mary (Lucy) and Joseph (Nate) fight over who to put in the manger, a baby or a stuffed sheep. Only to have Mary, in a fit of rage throw down the baby and climb into the manger herself. Or a nativity where Joseph finally throws off his head peice and refuses the gifts from the three wise men. Oh it was so great. The highlight of the pageant was definitely the angel of the Lord played by Jordan, who had the only speaking part of the night (aside from the narrator), which she made up on the spot and did so perfectly.

Mary was so done.

We were so happy to host Christmas Eve this year, our first year ever, to have Christmas year at our house. We had Grandma and Grandpa Lee, Great-Grandma Lee, Jared, Britt and Zach all come over for appies, treats, performances, carols and games.

With Zach on piano, we had a great time singing carols and Christmas hymns together. I love singing with my family because we have all four parts and several pianists, so fun. The kids also sang Christmas songs they had learned in primary. They have such beautiful voices, but I may be a bit biased.

Santa's Workshop

We were so happy to have Grandma and Grandpa King come and visit the week before Christmas. We had so much fun playing games, going to movies, visiting Santa and learning how to make Bernice's delicious almond roca while they were here. I'm not sure how, but somehow Jordan and Jared managed to squeeze work and school into the busy and fun week. Jordan also had her Christmas piano recital while they were here. Jordan once again, totally rose to the occasion and completely rocked (in a piano-recital sort of way) her rendition of "Good King Wensenslas" and "Sleep baby, sleep." One of the highlights of the week was visiting Santa and his workshop which is located right here in Salmon Arm. I know, crazy!

Nathan in particular was mesmerized by the toys displayed in the workshop, which really was quite impressive.

Jordan and Nathan with the jolly old man himself. We were the only ones there so Jordan got to have some good conversation with Santa and had the opportunity to ask some insightful questions about how he comes down chimneys and why he didn't eat all the cookies we left him last year. Although she definitely had him on his toes, Santa definitely held his own and left Jordan quite satisfied with his responses. Hopefully we're not doing irreparable damage to her by letting her believe in Santa (I never did, but wished that I had.)

Lucy, understandably, completely freaked out by the old man in red. Poor thing, but the picture is so great.