TWELVE DAYS

On the 9th Day of Christmas, Aaron and Meghan arrived!



Chimes were ringing, Angels singing...



Who has #12? Who has #12?



On the First Day of Christmas... a partridge in a pear tree..



Nine ladies dancing...

NATIVITY 2010

And Joseph also went up from Nazareth...unto the city of David, Bethlehem: to be taxed with Mary, being great with child.."


And the angel said unto the shepherds: "Fear not: for behold I bring you tidings of great joy."


And suddenly there was with the angel a mulititude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God...."


The shepherds came with haste....There came wise men out of the East...Where is he that is born King of the Jews?


Angel, Wiseman, Mary


Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing!

IF SHE KNEW

20 years ago our family started what has become a long-standing Christmas Eve tradition. We gather as a family for dinner and have a Christmas program with the Nativity re-enacted. We began with bathrobes and towels pulled out of our closets. We now have a tub of robes and other materials especially set aside for the Eve performance.

After the Nativity, we sing carols, play chimes and bells. The program has a format that has varied from year to year depending on the decision of the organizer.

I have never doubted the importance of gathering our children to share in the love and power of the sacred night of the Savior's birth.

As parents we have watched our children perform, grow and now bring their children to our family Christmas night. Schedules have been changed to 'not miss'. Several of us have determined if none of our children come home for a Christmas, we will not leave until Christmas morning before joining them.

This year, the impact of our special night was shared by our 6-year-old grandson with his kindergarten class.

Sam was assigned to share a Christmas tradition with his kindergarten class in an oral presenation. Initially Mom (Denise) was invited to come and be part, but due to her dad's surgery, she couldn't be there. The teacher understood. Sam was prepared with a costume in a bag and a written outline when he went to school on Wednesday last week.

The time for his presenation arrived. He put on his shepherd's costume (a towel and a robe). His report went something like this: "My favorite Christmas tradition is when I go to my Nana and Papa's. Everyone dresses up in costumes and we do the Christmas story. We play chimes that my Papa made. We sing songs".

After school, his mom picked him up. She looked forward to his report. Sam told about his presentation and then said, "A girl who sits at my table laughed at me." His mom was concerned. Sam followed with, "She wouldn't laugh if she knew how much fun we have."

Sweet boy... he was here last when he was 4, two years ago. Priceless.

SWING'N TO DIGGIN'

The swings have been idle for a long time.
Little children stood at the window begging to go out and bring them back to life.



There is always a little reluctance on the part of the parents/grandparents. We know about "the problem". The problem with taking little children out to swing, particularly our grandchildren, is that a swinging time is short-lived when they are reminded that the digging is so near.

December in California... two days before Christmas.
Utah and New Jersey will enjoy snow and cold.
We will bask in a bit of warmth
and instead of building snow caves the kids will dig in the dirt.



Jacob



Clare



Mason



Becks first time digging.

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A stroll into the sleeping orchard.



A resting farmland and Grandpa's new fence.

NANA AND CLARE ADVENTURE DAY

Pick up the office mail.
"I know my numbers. I go to pre-school."

Shadow dancing

Missionary Zone Conference Christmas Luncheon
Clare put the candy canes on the plates.

A gift from an Elder.

Wendy's for nuggets and fries.

To Modesto to pick up Grandpa's Christmas Gift.

We were so excited to get into the Sees Store, that I forgot the camera!
Our last stop was to begin the training of the next generation of See's devotees. My great-grand-aunt, Annie Rose always brought SEES candy to holiday gatherings. There are just some traditions that have to live on.

CAROLING FOR CLARE

Clare, our 4-year-old grand-daughter, went caroling for the first time with "Jon's Caroling Party".