Christmas day was quick here. I think the kids get faster and faster at opening the gifts.

Grace got a cell phone and a polar fleece blanket.
Michelle: a cell phone
Gabby: 2 babies, a baby bed, and a baby blanket
The three together got a Karoke "American Idol" and an eye toy for the PS2.
Dave: 2 handmade shirts for work, a polar fleece jacket, and a Masonic pocket watch.
We sent the other kids their gifts.
Mandy got a gift card.
David got minutes for his phone.
Sam got a cd and a movie.

All is well. Thank goodness it is over. Man Christmas just gets to expensive year after year.

Today was a good day.
I woke up early and made 6 loaves of pumpkin bread and then Dave, Grace, and I jumped in the car and headed up to the Gorge. We stopped in and visited with Grandma Williams. She did not want us to go. She loves to visit. Dave had to tell us 3 or 4 times, it was time to go.
Then we visited with Bill, Mertie, and the kids. The boys have grown so much. Jared was very taken with Grace. Very cute.
Bill and Dave played all day at fixing a water heater on a delivery truck. We girls talked and talked and talked.
As we were leaving Luke gave me a big hug and kiss. Boy was I lucky.

Saturday morning I did get to talk to Sam and David. They are okay. David still has no job, but Sam is homeschooling. Doesn't sound like he likes it all that well. He is very much a social person. They say they are headed for Florida for Christmas vacation. Should be nice.

The whole family went to Colton last night.

The girls were invited to a concert in a snowglobe.

Upon leaving the girls got gifts:

shirts, a snowglobe, and a picture with Frosty.
how cute
Attitude...
best smile I could get this am

While at Mom's we all decided to get in the car and go for a drive.

We drove to Salem and visited Grandma Erma. She is doing

so well and seems very happy.

This was in the visiting room, thought it was cute.

Justin, what a good boy
Grandma
Playing
Gracie

Thursday evening Michelle preformed at Starbuck's

with the Cedar Ridge Middle School Choir.

They sounded wonderful.

Grace Just chillin'. Waiting for the singing to begin.

One of the neatest things, Starbucks had a large table set up for

kids to come and make ornaments, a face painter, and Santa. Grace had a fun time making

about 5 ornaments and eating free samples of cookies.

Today the Masons had an open installation of officers.

Grace & Michelle were asked to help serve the refreshments. Fun, Fun!

What a nice day we had. Dave was installed and he is pretty proud of himself.

After the installation we went to see a play in Sandy. A group of us from the Eastern Star went. It is nice to go with others. We saw "Moon over Buffalo" it was very different. I was glad to get out the house and do something (no kids).

The "Twelve Days of Christmas" was originally written to help Catholic children, in England, remember different articles of faith during the persecution by Protestant Monarchs.

The "true love" represented God, and the gifts all different ideas:

The "Partridge in a pear tree" was Christ.

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity-- the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which relays the history of man's fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying = the six days of Creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

On the Twelfth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Twelve drummers drumming

On the eleventh day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Eleven pipers piping

On the tenth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Ten lords a-leaping

On the ninth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Nine ladies dancing

On the eight day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Eight maids a-milking

On the seventh day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Seven swans a-swimming

On the sixth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Six geese a-laying

On the fifth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Five golden rings

On the fourth day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Four calling birds

On the third day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Three french hens

On the second day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

Two turtle doves.

On the first day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me:

A partridge in a pear tree.

An interview with Dave:

A favorite Christmas memory-My best memory of Christmas was from 2001, when I went to Grants Pass with Christina for the first time and met all the family. Grandma Becky was the first to greet me at the door with a hug and a smile; welcoming me into the family.

Your favorite Christmas movie- It's a Wonderful Life

Your favorite Christmas carol- Silent Night

Favorite Christmas ornament- the angel at the top of the tree.

Best Christmas gift you ever gotten- Bill gave me a gun.

Best Christmas gift I have ever given- A client told Dave, "The best gift you have given me is another year with his father."
What are you most thankful for this year- that Paula (mom) is still blessing us daily.

Your New Year's resolution- to get rid of all the unneeded junk.

All time best kids Christmas Movies:

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer

Frosty the Snowman

The Grinch

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Most Hilarious Movie of all times:

ELF

Favorite Christmas Carol of all time:

WHAT CHILD IS THIS

Verse 1:

What Child is this who, laid to rest

On Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

Chorus 1:

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; ¹

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, ²

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Verse 2:

Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading. ³

(1): Or, Whom shepherds worship and angels sing

(2): Or, Haste, haste, to bring Him praise,

(3): Or, Come, have no fear; God's Son is here,

His love all loves exceeding.

Chorus 2:

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you. ⁴

Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, ⁵

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Verse 3:

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Come peasant, king to own Him; ⁶

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him. ⁷

Chorus 3:

Raise, raise a song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby. ⁸

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

(4): Or, The cross he bore for me, for you

(5): Or, Hail, hail, the Saviour comes,

(6): Or, All tongues and peoples own Him:

(7): Or, Let every heart enthrone Him.

(8): Or, While Mary sings a lullaby.

Favorite Christmas Movie of all Times:

WHITE CHRISTMAS