Celebrating Christmas

December was a month of celebration! We started off by welcoming a new niece into our family when sweet Naomi was born. All of are pretty smitten with her. The boys enjoyed their annual Christmas festivities at school. We visited our favorite places to see lights; the "Grinch Lights" and the Day Star lights. Rachel enjoyed her first trip to the big screen when our family went out to eat and to see the new animated Grinch movie (she enjoyed seat hoping and we all loved the movie). We made cookies and the kids helped me deliver them to our 11 neighbors on our street. Levi and Joel enjoyed participating in our children's minister's annual event where they make gifts for the elderly in the church and deliver them in early December. We also make 'ninja bread men' and had fun decorating and eating them. Nate had a Christmas program at his preschool and he had Philip, me, Pop and Moe in stitches with his enthusiasm and attempt to bring iron man gloves out of his pocket while getting onto stage. On Christmas Eve we visited Grampa and then went to Christmas Eve Service at Pop & Moe's church. It was a lovely service and spoke to the beauty of God's love shown to us through Jesus. On Christmas Day we enjoyed a relaxing morning at home opening gifts and eating cinnamon rolls before heading over to Pop and Moe's for our Knochel Christmas. We had a wonderful time there and I didn't take a single picture! The meal was delicious and the kids enjoyed playing together and opening their gifts. After Christmas we squeezed in a visit with my best friends since elementary school and then headed out for a few days at the ranch with almost all of the Knochel side of the family (The Reids were sick, so they missed all activities the 25th on...so sad!). While at the ranch we had lots of yummy food, horseback riding, relaxing, playing outside and relaxing some more. Again we enjoyed a special season by spending time with family and keeping traditions. The Advent calendars were a hit this year and I hope we were able to impart the true meaning of Christmas on our children. God with us, the most miraculous and grace filled gift!