So, I'm slow!

Sorry, I let myself get quite behind. It has been a fun week, plus to top it off I havn't been feeling great. So, I'll do a quick catch up and then I'll answer all my Christmas questions. If I can get my computer to quite being stupid and let me upload my pictures I'll even post some pictures.

This week was the girls' Tavaci (singing & dancing group) concert. That took up two nights. Katie even had a speaking part, she did a great job. It is so fun to watch them perform and see their cute little personalities come out.

Friday we went and saw the annual nativity display that my mom's ward puts on every year. (Actually only one lady does most of the work.) It is amazing. She had cut down all these branches and had them in pots surrounding all the nativities. They also had a HUGE mural (it covered the entire length of the Relief Society room) of Bethlehem. I'm not sure who had painted it, but it was amazing. Then there are all these displays of nativities. There are a ton of nativities, maybe 100 or more, and they're all from different countries, no two were alike. It is so cool. I love it and appreciate all the hard work they put into the display, it really helps us remember Christ. My kids were amazed that so many different countries celebrated Christ's birth.

On Saturday, I went and did my Dream Dinners (love them! if you don't know about them, ask- they're awesome!). Katie had her piano recital later in the afternoon and then my mom and I left the recital early to head down to Alesa's to watch Savannah in her Christmas play and celebrate Hailey's 1st birthday. We had a great day!

Last night after we got home we all (except Bevan) slept in the family room "under the tree". It is so fun to have kids old enough that we can be doing these fun activities together!

Favorite Christmas song
This one is easy. I LOVE "O Holy Night". But I have to say, I love it very best when a man sings it or Celine Dion sings it. I think it is a song that needs a strong voice to really do it justice.

When did I learn the truth about the "magic" of Christmas?
I'm not really sure, and I know for a fact that my mom never told me. I remember in 4th grade I wrote a story about sneaking out into the family room and seeing my mom and dad, not Santa. But I also remember in 6th grade that I didn't dare admit that I might know the "truth" because Santa might not come. Santa always visited my mom's house, up until just a few years ago. After my dad died I would stay up and help my mom so she didn't have to do it alone. Then the first Christmas I was married, Doug and I stayed at his parents' house on Christmas Eve. When we showed up at my mom's house on Christmas morning, Santa had been there to visit me! I was so surprised and so thrilled! I admit that I think I probably believe in the "magic" of Christmas as much now as I ever have. Our lives have been so richly blessed and our kids are only able to have the wonderful Christmas that they get because of so much "magic" in our lives and the wonderful people who have helped with that magic!

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes, when we were growing up we were able to open a gift from my parents (always pj's) and one other gift, usually a small one from a friend. Now, we go to Doug's mom's house for Christmas Eve and Santa usually either shows up with pj's or he'll drop off some gifts that contain pj's. Then we usually get to open gifts from Carol. (Although this year she's doing the 12 days of Christmas so we get to open one everday- I'll write more about that in another post.) The kids get to open gifts from their cousins. It is a crazy, fun time.

I know people get all in a dither about how gifts are not suppose to be the most important thing about Christmas. I know that it's not the most important thing, but I think that the reason we give gifts is the most important thing. The reason we give gifts is to represent the Wise Men coming to visit Christ. It shows our love for each other and that we are thinking about each other. I think it is good to sacrifice a little bit of ourselves, be it time or money, or both, to get something for another person. I don't usually care what kind of gift I get as long as I know that thought was put into it.

Is there a special ornament or decoration that you wouldn't feel like Christmas without?
Hmm, no I don't think so. I am slowly adding to my collection anyway. I don't really have anything that I've had for more than a couple of years. I love Christmas decorations!

Do you take neighbor gifts/treats to anyone, everyone, a select few?
Yup, it is one of my favorite things to do! I love giving people gifts! I don't usually spend very much money, often it is something home made. I do try not to do baked goods (just because there are always so many). We usually give to all our close neighbors and our Home Teaching families & Visiting Teaching sisters. Then a few others who we have gotten to know well.

Is your big meal on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning or Christmas afternoon?
I would say our biggest meal is on Christmas Eve at the Austin's house. Carol always does the big turkey dinner with all the fixins. Sometimes there is even ham or roast beef too. I do have to admit that I love that meal. For me, I'm all about easy. I want to play on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so when (if ever) I am in charge of the food I choose foods that can be made ahead and then just thrown in the oven. I remember one year we had manicotti that I made the day before and then just cooked it on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning we usually get together with my family for brunch. I usually am in charge of assigning that food. We try to have things that can be made before hand. Usually breakfast casseroles, fruit, monkey bread, cinnamon rolls (made in a bundt pan) and wassail. It is so good and nobody spends more than a few minutes in the kitchen.

Ok, this is a forever long post, but I am caught up! Now, to go finish my Christmas letter.