Christmas, C style

Several years ago, we made the decision to move our family Christmas with Shaun's side to the Sunday before Christmas so that we wouldn't be faced with the "every other year" scenario with everyone's in-laws.  Shaun's sister has hosted each year and its become a treasured tradition.  Shaun's mom sent out a thank you email, counting the blessings of the day, and I couldn't have said it better:

Love was present...the joy of the children

playing instruments

and excitedly opening gifts and

laughing at big cousin entertaining...the combined

efforts to prepare that wonderful meal

and clean up afterwards...the happy sounds of

aunts and uncles playing with nieces and nephews...

the joy of watching babies playing

and being loved...the hand-picked and

well-thought-out gifts...the blazing fireplace

and music of the season in the background....

so many wonderful memories to cherish forever.

All the cousins on Shaun's side: Jared, Alayna, Amanda, Avery and Aiden

Shaun's brother Micah, Sienna and Alayna. Shaun's brother Nathan and Laryssa (their first Christmas as newlyweds)

Shaun's sister Sarah, Tony and Jared

Us, now as a family of five!

Aiden was totally into the presents and actually opened several...just had to keep doing a mouth sweep to be sure.

There are three kitties in the house and two of them were happy to be around getting into mischief.

Every year, Shaun's Nana sends up carefully selected and wrapped presents from Florida.  Most recently, they have been hand-picked at one of their travel destinations of that year.  This year, they took a trip to India and we were the recipients of beautiful silk.  We all got handcrafted, silk tops in an array of colors and in addition, the girls got lovely silk scarfs.  And, for the men...the traditional sock gift. 

Thank you, Nana and Grandpa John.  We missed you, though you were with us in spirit!

First Christmas, times two!  One thing about having two babies is there is never any fighting...Grandma gets as much snuggle time as she wants.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9: 6,7