Thursday, December 25, 2014

         Merry Christmas!!  What a pleasant day it has been for us, and we hope you have all had a beautiful celebration with family and friends. 

         Reminiscing about our Christmas traditions was pleasant, if nostalgic; and we really missed the family Christmas Eve gathering at our house that we have done ever since we moved to Garfield. 

Running up and down the stairs to the freezer every half an hour all day stirring red and green slush drinks; cleaning every nook and cranny in the house; rearranging all the furniture and setting up chairs to make room for everyone; smelling wonderful pastries baking and making cheesecake; listening to the Christmas music of Neil Diamond, The Carpenters, The Three Tenors, and The Oakridge Boys; wrapping the last of the presents; taking the last of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” surprises around the neighborhood; getting a pecan pie from the Daniels and taking strawberry bread to the neighbors all made for a wonderfully fun and busy Christmas Eve.  Then the house would fill up with all the aunts and uncles and cousins and we would eat Grandma Cook’s yummy meatballs, pizza, and cheesecake before launching into the program, the gift exchanges, games, and Nativity reading with child actors.  Santa surprised us with more gifts and then it was time to clean up all over again!!  What great memories!  And now our families are making new memories and forming new traditions that will delight them for decades.

There has been more time this season for reading stories and messages about Christmas. They have touched my heart and made me want to be a better person.  To become more like our Savior is what will bring us eternal happiness.  May we feel His love and follow Him.

We love you all and miss you on this beautiful day.

Here are a few pictures from ourChristmas Lunch today.