On Christmas Eve, the Plowbuckles met up with Mom and all of my siblings' families for family dinner in West Bountiful. After enjoying a meal featuring ham, chicken, mashed potatoes, and a number of other holiday goodies, we listened to Dad narrate the Christmas story, as told in Chapter 2 of the Gospel of Luke—still one of our most prized possessions. Meanwhile, the niblings acted as Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and the animals in the manger, and we also sang a number of Christmas hymns found in the Church hymnal.
Once that had concluded, the 15 niblings (on my side) exchanged gifts with each other. This is a still-relatively new tradition for us, and we are loving it so far. It does my heart good to see the love these kids have for their cousins and the hugs and smiles that were exchanged throughout the evening. Their cousins are also among their very best friends. They got to open their gifts from Grandma, too.
Kate was very grateful to have received her Princess Tiana doll:
Then, my siblings and I also exchanged gifts; we do this part couple by couple. Steve and Summer got us some very thoughtful things, including this sign, which we will be hanging up in one of our bathrooms:
I guess it kinda speaks for itself.
After spending Christmas morning together and with Leia, the three of us trekked out to Grantsville to spend the bulk of the afternoon on Christmas Day with JB's parents and two of her siblings' families. We enjoyed a baked potato bar and tacos, and a number of those attending played board games while the rest of us talked or took naps.
Wherever you were, whomever you were with, my family and friends, I hope that your Christmas this year was both joyful and triumphant.
No comments:
Post a Comment