Family Nativity

The best day of the Christmas season is when we all get together for a family nativity at  my parents' house. We eat and the kids laugh and play and when everyone kinda settles down, the kids act out the nativity story. My Dad reads from our life long Golden book that we've used since forever and each cousins performs a role. We always have a few Marys and plenty of angels and wise-men. This year Savannah was finally able to play the part of Mary. Parker was Joseph and Ella was baby Jesus! Last year during the family nativity we said, "Next year OUR baby can be Jesus!" and everyone looked at me and was so surprised and happy! Laura gave me a great big hug and Cami and Jon we next in line. The news was a little too shocking for Kari who had to go in the bathroom to cry for a minute before she could come talk to me. ha ha Anyhoo, Ella was able to be the baby Jesus and she did a great job! I received the highest compliment from Ben (who never talks to me). He said, "Wow! Great job with Ella! She really looks like Jesus!" Yessss! Score! Max practically memorized his part (he will most likely go into theater when he gets older) and the girls were so cute as the angels. Rayleigh was a little wiggly but so happy to be there and participate and be dressed in her angel wings. Jack was a sheep  in a far off field (the playroom) with Tanner.

My Mom provided the most delicious Christmas brunch for us all to enjoy and her house was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful and festive. After the kid performed the story of the birth of Jesus, Parker asked me to play with 12 Days of Christmas on the piano and he made up a little parody to sing with the boys. It was pretty funny! The kids are all started to get older all of a sudden and its cute to see their talents start to shine. I wish we could have stayed and sang carols around the piano all day but our young kids needed to hit the road. We had a cousin gift exchange and all the kids were so happy and excited- well, except for Max who was SUPER sick. We all chipped in and got Kari a ladder, something she really needed. She was thrilled!

We cruised over to the Shops for some quick, last minute shopping. It was horrendous but we accomplished what we set out for. We went home and had dinner and watched a Christmas movie. When the kids were asleep, we wrapped presents and I'd say it was an all around quintessential Christmas day!

Last night, we baked cookies and then brought our card and some cookies around to all the neighbors. Let me tell you, they were beyond excited about doing this. They would have brought cookies to the whole town if we'd had enough time and cookies! We received a special pear from our next door neighbors which Tanner explained was a Chinese custom and represented respect. Not all of our neighbors were home but the ones that were, were so touched! It was a super special memory. Our kids love to spread joy! We wanted to sit out in front of the house and try to take a picture next to Tanner's epic light display!

And to end this post: 2 quick pictures that my mom took of us before everyone else showed up for the nativity. I crimped Rayleigh's hair and almost fell over with how gorgeous she looked.