Oh, What a Merry Christmas Day

Well, folks, it just doesn't get any better than this Christmas!

We started our celebrations last night with dinner and gifts at my mom and dad's and then Christmas Eve church service. We had a wonderful dinner of barbecue brisket, hash brown potatoes, homemade rolls, green beans, corn, pasta salad and fruit.

Church was amazing with our whole family attending! We took up a pew and a half. I played in the bell choir. Eli and Brynne passed out candles and then started the lighting of the candles while the congregation sang "Silent Night". It's a tradition at our church.

After we got home and opened our traditional Christmas Eve pj's, we put Eli and Brynne to bed upstairs in Dawson's room, turned on Christmas Vacation and started "Wrap-a-thon 2013". It only took Rick, Collin, Kyndal, Dawson and myself 2 1/2 hours to get it all done. We were soooo ready for bed at 1:30 a.m.

Kyndal came bounding into our room at 8:00 a.m. this morning ready to open presents. She called grandma and papa, and woke up the little kids. Eli was so excited that when he came into our room he said, "I'm getting ready to burst into tears."

After grandma, papa, Rylee and Cade showed up, we gathered in the living room to open presents. We first opened gifts from Santa and then opened all of our gifts from each other.

Eli received a new bowling ball and bag, a Nerf gun, Lego BatCave, a movie, a couple of video games, a vintage game system encyclopedia, a vintage GameCube, some characters for his Disney Infinity game, and some books.

Brynne received a bowling ball and bag, some Lego Friends sets, a Jesus and 12 Disciples playlet, some movies, Just Dance 2014, a beauty kit, a stuffed Santa, some clothes and pjs, and some books.

Kyndal received a new North Face jacket, some grey boots, some pjs, the Rockin' Body dvd set,  a phone case, a new Bible, a new duffle bag, some slippers and a Nike hoodie.

Dawson received an Xbox One, new Game Informer subscription, some movies, an Xbox game, a Star Wars clock, a Hollister hoodie, and a tiki candle warmer.

In everyone's stockings were gloves, a mini flashlight, underwear, chapstick, and candy.

After gifts I made some biscuits and gravy and cinnamon rolls. Then we started dancing. Just Dance 2014 is a hit!

Everyone was gone by about 11:00 a.m., and Eli and Brynne settled in for some Lego building.

I sat for the longest time, drinking coffee, while the dogs slept next to me, counting the many, many blessings I have in my life. I have an amazing family … and that is all that matters. We are blessed beyond measure with strong relationships, good health, and happy memories.

May you and yours enjoy the rest of your Christmas! I am getting ready to fix a Christmas meal to share with my parents, and to go visit my grandma at the nursing home.