3 Days of Christmas

 We kind of had 3 days of Christmas this year.  We usually have Dan's family Christmas party a week or so before Christmas, but because of the wedding, we had it on the 23rd.  And, we usually do Christmas Eve with my family, but this year my sister had to work so we did it on the 23rd in the early afternoon.  My mom got G some adorable jammies, and the boys these cool air compressors, and the girls some yummy brownie, roll, and cookie dough mixes.

Gwen was very festive with her ruffle bum, Christmas Tree shirt, and red and green leg warmers  She is simply adorable.  And Halle girl absolutely adores her, and Gwen returns the feelings.  Halle walked her all around and Gwen was in Heaven.

And what's Christmas without the Nativity?  Gwen was the Angel, Leo was baby Jesus, Halle was Mary, Blake, Jack and Josh were all either shepherds or wise men, or maybe both. :)  It was so cute to watch them!!

Then it was off to the Schofield family party.  Almost everyone was there, so we had a big crowd.  We started off by doing a little program where all the kids who wanted shared their talents.  Then Tony & Becky had a little spiritual thought.  Then we ate.  There was a lot of really delicious food.  So we ate a lot.  After the eating, we cleared the room and participated in or watched the annual feats of strength.  This always consists of each boy running and jumping to see who can touch the fan blades, or the light of the fan.  The ceiling is vaulted so it is actually up pretty high, and not everyone can do it, but it sure is fun watching them try! After that we watched as the boys all tried to do a pushup with their heaviest brother on their back.  No one could do it, but I am proud to say, Dan was the closest.  And before presents, we did the annual "Airing of Grievances" No one is serious, and it usually dates way back to childhood, but it's pretty entertaining.
This year, Easton had Gwen and he got her this ADORABLE owl beanie.  It is simply to die for.  Nice job!!  Gwen had Will, and she got him a really cool (according to Dan) build it yourself robot.  Hopefully he likes it as much as Dan did.

And here are just a couple pics of her in her Christmas dress by the tree.  She is our little angel and we have loved having her be a part of our family this year!

Now, onto Christmas Eve.  We hung out at our house for the morning and afternoon, and then went to my mom and dad's for dinner.  After dinner my mom and I busted out the piano duets (a favorite Christmas pastime) and later, we watched A Christmas Story, tradition, though I'm not really sure why, since about half the family doesn't like it.  Then, we bailed on the usual annual sibling sleepover because now we have Gwen and she's not really into stuff like that. ;)  So we headed home.

And finally, CHRISTMAS DAY!  Santa was good to us.  He brought G a little play table, which she loves.  She can stand up to it and move around and play with all the different buttons and such.  Plus it has like 6 balls, and Gwen loves balls.  So she is in heaven.  Then, Dan and I got her a build a bear, which she also loves.  Every time she sees it, she points at it and smiles and laughs.  Then she tries to hold it and play with it, but it is a little big for her.  And we also got her a little VTech laptop that sings and teaches cool stuff.  So she was spoiled.  Dan totally spoiled me too.  He got me a lot of fun/cute stuff and I loved it.  It was the first year since the first year we were married that we have got each other gifts, and it was fun.

Later that day we hit up both the parents for a visit.  It was fun to be with so much family so often through the holidays.  My mom surprised Gwen with another present, an awesome rocking horse that neighs and makes a galloping sound.  She's not quite big enough to do it on her own yet, but she loves it when we help her.  She sure was a spoiled girl this year!

 

Though we were very blessed this Christmas, we did try to focus on our Savior, and his birth.  We want to make sure we teach Gwen that it's not about the presents, but it's about His presence.  We had a great season and I am so grateful to my Savior for the most wonderful gifts of all, which aren't toys or things, but the gospel and my family.