Christmas Memories 2008

What a wonderful Christmas we had! We began our festivities at the Coles' annual Christmas gathering at Patti and Alan's (Stan's aunt and uncle). It was a touching time as we remembered Ma Cole and Stan shared our Christmas devotion this year. He spoke about how Ma and Pa Cole were the yeast in our family and how their faith has spread throughout the whole family...he likened this to the Amish friendship bread that has graced our kitchen throughout this fall season. We shared a special family time and enjoyed the pure JOY that Landon exuded as he danced and danced- he is SUCH a ham!

We had a delightful time with Stan's family on Tuesday night and celebrated Christmas with them on Christmas Eve. I would say the highlight of our time was watching Anna and Brandon open not one gallon of syrup from Sam's Club...but SIX! Stan and I AND LD and Kay had the same idea to play this joke on them! We got such a great laugh.

Next, we headed to our church for Christmas Eve Service where we shared communion by intinction- where each person tears a piece of bread and dips it in the wine/grape juice as the words are spoken of the "Body of Christ broken for YOU" and the "Blood of Christ shed for YOU"- always a meaningful experience for me- esp. on Christmas as we celebrate Christ's birth. We then made a new family tradition- we went to Bandidos so mommy didn't have to cook! Landon LOVED the chips and salsa and we just laughed at him crunching and crunching!

Then we headed home to open our traditional Christmas Eve gifts of new P.J.'s. Stan and I settled in after Landon went to bed and got started on THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh what FUN it was watching him delight in his Choo Choo Train- which he first started saying Christmas morning. Stan and I had opened all of our gifts the night before so we could enjoy Landon. It was the best gift of all.

We then had a birthday cake for Jesus and Landon blew out the candles. The cake was shaped like a Choo Choo this year- surprise I know. :)

Next, we headed to the mountains to be with my parents. We had a blast relaxing and enjoying one anothers company. Dad fixed his famous prime rib and mushroom reduction sauce, crab soup, mashed potatoes, and a delicious chicken with goat cheese and tarragon and parsley. Oh, as usual we were spoiled with his cooking. I think the highlight of the mountains was watching Mamma Mia with everyone. Oh, how funny it was to watch Marc and Stan's faces during this very silly "chick flick". Wow, we laughed and laughed.

So, Christmas has come and gone. But, the memories we made this year are priceless. Stan and I have reflected a lot over the Advent season and over Christmas about all of our many blessings. We pray we keep in mind the true celebration involved in Christmas- Jesus' birth and celebrate this gift throughout the year. May your 2009 be blessed!