Christmas 2012

We celebrated a quiet Christmas with Emily, Crismon Jr. and Danielle. It was the calm before all the events of the wedding happening just days later. Julia took the Amtrak train to Seattle and met Austin to be with the Doutre's as all their family was together. We missed her, but we were happy she could be with Austin. We relished the joy of the season together and remembering the humble birth of our Savior in a manager long ago.

Vivi brought over a huge 20 lbs. ham for me to put in our oven on Christmas day. Later all the family would gather for a Christmas dinner in our home. Vivi planned everything and she and Ondalynn did most of the meal, which was a nice break for me.

Crismon was a help to me in the kitchen.

Crismon & Danielle were in charge of the preparing the Christmas Eve dinner and doing the program. They prepared delicious scalloped potatoes and ham.
We were taught well by Crismon from the scriptures, along with many good insights that he shared.

Danielle filled our home with beautiful music.

Christmas morning we took time to have breakfast together before opening gifts. Emily made some "melt-in-your-mouth"cinnamon rolls for all of us to enjoy! Notice the bouquet of flowers on the table. Crismon gave those to Danielle for their 1st Anniversary that they celebrated on Dec. 16th. They went to the beach for a 3-day "Honeymoon trip," thanks to a gift from the Swain's.

There was lots of hugging on Christmas morning as everyone expressed their thanks after each gift. 

With Emily leaving on her mission to Argentina in just a month, this was a missionary Christmas for her. Luggage was definitely needed!

Emily excited to receive a "Argentina" blanket.

 Danielle worked for weeks putting together a picture book of their wedding for Crismon. It was beautiful!

We enjoyed many Christmas greetings from friends and family, and it was fun to post them on the door in my kitchen.

My Christmas Card Door in my kitchen

What a delight to have Crismon and Danielle with us as we got better acquainted with Danielle. We feel so blessed to have her in our family. They both were a great help during the busy days of the wedding. Danielle was also spending hours typing up recipes for a bound recipe book for her Mom for Christmas of family favorite recipes. She is a hard worker!

Dad Crismon and I took a gal I Visit Teach, Melissa McMullen, to the airport Christmas morning and then we met Emily, Crismon and Danielle at the movie, Les Miserables. It was tremendous! Before the movie, Dad and I visited the Caudle's to see those cute kids and enjoy the excitement in their home. We were blessed to be able to use Melissa's home during the time of the wedding. We took care of her cats and the Doutre's were all able to stay in the home together without having to have several motel rooms. It was just minutes from our church building and it was such a blessing to us and them.

I didn't get a picture of everyone on Christmas Day with the Vance's and the Caudle's, but this is Paxson who was patient on the floor while everyone played games.

Emily is a fun aunt and her nieces and nephews loved playing games with her on Christmas night.