Christmas Eve

In the morning Lydia and I went shopping with my friend, Kristie. I was finished shopping so just along for the ride. We had a lot of fun. Travis took Zoe and Liam to the park with Kristie's kids. They ran around for 1 1/2 hours in the cold and had so much fun. When they got home Lydia and Travis crashed (yeah, vacations).

At night we were invited to spend the early evening at our friends, the Poulsens. They had also invited the Empey's and Salways (none of us have family in town). They do a "Our Favorites" meal every Christmas Eve. For dinner there was potato soup, sushi, tamales, chicken dinos, clam chowder, and all sorts of appetizers and desserts. It was great!

After dinner the kids acted out Luke 2. If you are wondering where Cinderella fits in-I believe they were shepherds. Elegant shepherds.

Travis's family does a "Christmas Program" Christmas Eve night. So we came home and each person participates. Lydia did an interpretive dance. Liam sang and air guitared Feliz Navidad. Zoe sang all million verses of The Nativity Song. I read/told a story my mom told us growing up on Christmas Eve. Then Travis read some scriptures and bore testimony. It was a great program with a wonderful spirit. Liam said afterward, "Mom, I think I am going to cry my heart is so happy". Then each of the kids got to open a gift.

Christmas Eve Night is so full of tradition and memory. We had a wonderful day full of our family and lovely friends. How blessed we are at this wonderful season, even though we miss our other family a lot.