Merry Christmas
The Reynolds Family Christmas of 2010:
Beginning on December 1st, we did something related to Christmas or the season each day...read a Christmas book, sing a song before bedtime, watch a Christmas movie, do service, make treats, etc. We will just include the highlights from the last few days.
Thursday, December 23rd: Made Christmas goodie dough, ruined caramel, and watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas (but only half because we fell asleep). The ward had a great activity planned at the Visitor's Center in Independence, but we had to miss, due to Savannah getting a cold.
Friday, December 24th: Finished How the Grinch Stole Christmas, made and delivered Christmas goodies, read The Night Before Christmas, read Luke 2, sang a Christmas carol, read about Christmas traditions of Church leaders from the Ensign, opened (again) our Christmas PJ's, and ate our traditional Christmas Eve meal of homemade pizza. This year's was a delicious Chicago Deep Dish pizza filled with cheese, green peppers, and mushrooms, and topped with the sauce, tomatoes, pepperoni, and sausage. We also watched Home Alone 2. A classic.
Saturday, December 25th: While waiting for Savannah to wake up, we made a few Christmas dinner foods, and ate our Christmas breakfast of German Pancakes. When she woke up, we fed her, and then opened presents. Santa brought Savannah some puzzles and we got her a beautiful Kanga. We decided that we will get her a Kanga each year for Christmas and that it would be something that she could collect, and one day use however she would like: make a quilt, make clothes, make curtains or other projects, etc. This year's was beautiful blue and white, with blue Christmas trees along the edge, and bells in the middle. The Swahili proverb on it means, "Blessings for Christmas and a happy new year." We thought that was very appropriate for her first Christmas. She now has three Kangas: one from us, one from Mary Kay Green, and one from Imma. Savannah, though, was really only interested in the wrapping paper and bows. For the rest of the day we called family, made and ate our traditional Christmas dinner, and visited with some friends.
This year was much different for Todd and I. And much more meaningful. We both commented how it took a little longer for us to get into the Christmas spirit. We were both feeling the constraints of time and budget. But as Christmas neared, and as our desires and efforts to keep things simple and Christ-centered increased, so too did the feelings of love and peace. While the gifts were few and simple between us, we couldn't have asked for a more wonderful Christmas. My favorite part was actually opening a little box we had been working on all month. It was filled with pieces of paper on which we had written down things we had given to Christ during the month. Just simple things, but special. It will be a tradition we continue with our family as we grow. This year, we have drawn closer as a family, and closer to the Lord. We have felt His peace. We have learned more about parental love, particularly of our loving Heavenly Father.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on His name should be saved."
We are grateful for the example of our Savior, of His love, forgiveness, and mercy. We are grateful for a chance during this next year to more fully try to model our lives after His. A wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
Here's some pictures: PJ's on Christmas morning, Savannah opening presents, Savannah with her baby doll given from Grandma, and two little outfits from Imma.
Go to the board!
Beginning on December 1st, we did something related to Christmas or the season each day...read a Christmas book, sing a song before bedtime, watch a Christmas movie, do service, make treats, etc. We will just include the highlights from the last few days.
Thursday, December 23rd: Made Christmas goodie dough, ruined caramel, and watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas (but only half because we fell asleep). The ward had a great activity planned at the Visitor's Center in Independence, but we had to miss, due to Savannah getting a cold.
Friday, December 24th: Finished How the Grinch Stole Christmas, made and delivered Christmas goodies, read The Night Before Christmas, read Luke 2, sang a Christmas carol, read about Christmas traditions of Church leaders from the Ensign, opened (again) our Christmas PJ's, and ate our traditional Christmas Eve meal of homemade pizza. This year's was a delicious Chicago Deep Dish pizza filled with cheese, green peppers, and mushrooms, and topped with the sauce, tomatoes, pepperoni, and sausage. We also watched Home Alone 2. A classic.
Saturday, December 25th: While waiting for Savannah to wake up, we made a few Christmas dinner foods, and ate our Christmas breakfast of German Pancakes. When she woke up, we fed her, and then opened presents. Santa brought Savannah some puzzles and we got her a beautiful Kanga. We decided that we will get her a Kanga each year for Christmas and that it would be something that she could collect, and one day use however she would like: make a quilt, make clothes, make curtains or other projects, etc. This year's was beautiful blue and white, with blue Christmas trees along the edge, and bells in the middle. The Swahili proverb on it means, "Blessings for Christmas and a happy new year." We thought that was very appropriate for her first Christmas. She now has three Kangas: one from us, one from Mary Kay Green, and one from Imma. Savannah, though, was really only interested in the wrapping paper and bows. For the rest of the day we called family, made and ate our traditional Christmas dinner, and visited with some friends.
This year was much different for Todd and I. And much more meaningful. We both commented how it took a little longer for us to get into the Christmas spirit. We were both feeling the constraints of time and budget. But as Christmas neared, and as our desires and efforts to keep things simple and Christ-centered increased, so too did the feelings of love and peace. While the gifts were few and simple between us, we couldn't have asked for a more wonderful Christmas. My favorite part was actually opening a little box we had been working on all month. It was filled with pieces of paper on which we had written down things we had given to Christ during the month. Just simple things, but special. It will be a tradition we continue with our family as we grow. This year, we have drawn closer as a family, and closer to the Lord. We have felt His peace. We have learned more about parental love, particularly of our loving Heavenly Father.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on His name should be saved."
We are grateful for the example of our Savior, of His love, forgiveness, and mercy. We are grateful for a chance during this next year to more fully try to model our lives after His. A wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
Here's some pictures: PJ's on Christmas morning, Savannah opening presents, Savannah with her baby doll given from Grandma, and two little outfits from Imma.
Go to the board!
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