Merry Christmas!

We have had a wonderful Christmas season! So much to do and so much family to see - it's been very busy!

We had the Hopewell Family Christmas party on Saturday, 22, with all the big kids and all the grandkids. It was fun to be with everyone, even through all the chaos. Grandpa decided that we needed to have a family talent showcase. Josh sang his song, "In a Stable," as our family talent with the help of Maddie and Ryley. Bruce sang, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," John and Diane told a story about three trees, and Jessie and Tally sang, "Skinnamarinky Dinky Dink." All the grandkids opened presents and then ran off to play with them while the big kids opened theirs. We had lots of fun and ate lots of yummy food. Oh - we also had a cake in honor of Bruce, Jr., finishing college with his Bachelor's degree. Way to go Bruce! (I guess Josh can still try to beat Jordan at finishing his degree!)

On Christmas Eve we had a Family Home Evening lesson on the birth of Baby Jesus. Granny and Pops came over and we sang some songs and then after we had learned the story of the Baby Jesus the kids acted it out. It was pretty cute. Maddie was Mary, Ryley was Joseph, and we had to use a doll for the baby. Cash was supposed to be the angel but he wasn't very cooperative. Daddy was the innkeeper and the shepherd. It was pretty cute! And, of course, I was too busy helping everyone with their parts to get any pictures!!! GRRRR! Oh, well. Maybe next year!

On Christmas morning Josh and I had to wake the kids up! Weird children. We woke them up and went down and opened presents. Santa left Maddie a Littlest Pet Shop carrying case, a Batman dress up kit for Ryley, and a broom for Cash. Yes, a broom. The kid loves to push around the broom or the Swiffer. What can I say? He is my child!

After presents, a very small breakfast, baths, and packing up the car we headed over to Granny and Pops'. We opened more presents over there and had yummy strawberry waffles. Brianne and I decided that waffles on Christmas morning is the best tradition EVER!

After filling our tummies we put Cash down for a nap and watched "Stardust." Pretty cool movie. The kids even liked it! Robert DeNiro was quite the pretty pirate!

After the movie, we headed over to the Tyler's for Christmas Dinner. Again, we had lots of food and lots of people! We ate and ate and opened more presents! We even talked the Bedwell's from down the street to coming over and taking a big family picture for us. This is the first time in a very long time that all of us have been together in one spot! No one was missing. It was pretty great!

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! See you next year!