Christmas is all about family, music, sharing, serving, gathering and so much more. Emily & Bronson came early during the holidays to be with us. The day before they left, Crismon & Danielle arrived. It was great having their help to finish up some Christmas traditions, like delivering caramel popcorn to friends and neighbors.
We had never spent Christmas with Seth & Tiffany's family before. Having them close, was ideal for spending our first Christmas with them. Along with Crismon & Danielle, we traveled to Eugene on Friday, the 23rd. Tiffany was busy with last minute gifts and preparations for the musical gathering in their home that evening with friends from their ward. Dad and I jumped in to start wrapping Tiffany's gifts. By dinner time, we had nearly finished all the wrapping.
We loved meeting their friends that evening. There is an abundance of musical talent in their ward and it was inspiring to sing the Christmas carols with them, and here many of them perform. Danielle, Preston, and Asher played beautifully together on the violin. Tiffany had always wanted to have a gathering like this during the holidays, but living in this ward was the ideal time.
Saturday morning, Dad, Crismon, Seth and his boys met up with cousin, Joseph and his children to go sledding. They had a terrific time. It gave Tiffany, Danielle and I an opportunity to work on different projects while they were gone. Danielle and I had a great visit as we had a nice walk around the neighborhood in the sunny afternoon with bright, blue skies. Crismon shared with the boys later that afternoon some interesting facts about Chinese characters, and the research he has been doing.
Christmas Eve began with Tiffany reading from a book we had given each of the families, years ago, about a Nephite boy on the first Christmas Eve. This has become a tradition in their family. Seth picked up Chinese food, another of their traditions for dinner that night. New pajamas were giving to the boys, and then sent them off to the basement so their parents could finish preparing for Santa to come. So much excitement, it was hard for everyone to settle down.
Jackson put together a pull-at-the-heart strings video of their home in Minnesota and saying goodbye to their life there. It was funny, tender, emotional and a special gift to his parents, especially, Tiffany. Another unique gift was done by Tiffany where she laid out Seth's clothes in a variety of different options, took pictures of them, put them in a plastic photo holder and it hangs in his closet so he can quickly decide what things go together. Very clever! Preston wanted some "Little Debbie's" treats that his Mom never buys, so, of course, we bought him a big box of Swiss Rolls. Sorry, Tiffany! It was fun to see the college gear apparel that some of the boys, and Dad received.
Uncle Crismon was so fun to play with the boys. We had a great time being together. Sunday, Christmas Day turned out to be gorgeous, brilliant sunlight, crisp, but not too cool weather and perfect to remember the source of all light, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the "Light" He brings to this world. We praise his name and worship Him with our hearts...and hopefully, our whole hearts.
Monday morning we gathered up our things and headed back to Gresham to prepare for family to come to our home that evening for dinner.
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