"Fa ra, ra, ra ra!"

This Christmas will definitely will be an unforgettable one, for many reasons! Part of our Christmas Eve wasn't the most pleasant experience for our family, so I was determined to set the tone for Christmas morning. We still had a chance to do a few of our normal traditions which included putting out Reindeer food, and leaving out a plate for Santa!!!

Aubrie putting out Reindeer food! Boston getting the plate ready!

The kids woke up very early this year, and we made them go back to bed for a few more hours. When we finally did get up, we gathered the kids in the loft and had a quick Family Home "Morning", which included singing Christmas hymns, prayer, and reading the book "A Christmas Dress for Ellen" retold by President Monson. The book was about a family who received a Christmas miracle and the joy that service can bring to both the giver and recipient. It really set the tone for the rest of the day!! Especially when the next thing to do was to open gifts! The kids were much more appreciative, thanking us for every gift they opened. Also, because we decided that we would no longer be rushing over to Ben's parents in the morning, to open their gifts, we were able to casually open our gifts and just relax the whole day. It was so nice!! The kids hung out and played with their gifts, watched their new movies, etc.
The kids had a good Christmas and got what they wanted, except EThan (who asked for a DS the last minute). We told him that Santa doesn't give DS's to kids under 5! Hee Hee! Boston asked for the Hulk DS game, so that was easy. He also got some new Callaway golf clubs, a lego set (that Joe ended up putting together), and a some clothes. Aubrie got 4 little kinz and tonz of clothes!!! Ethan got a new bike, a shuffle (it's so cute watching him walk around with that thing), Indiana Jones and Iron man dress up, and some other random clothes and toys. I got Ben a new video camera, and clothes! I had no clue what Ben got me this year. I suspected he got me a new purse, a vacation, or some new "bling". I was totally wrong! He got me some random things, like boots, running clothes, a year of free car washes, and he saved one particular box for last. Inside was an apple. I immediately thought and said it has something to do with TWILIGHT!!! He said to go look in the butlers pantry where I keep the cream of chicken soup. I thought for sure it was tickets to Washington, since I have been hinting that I would love to go to Forks! When I opened the cabinet I was shocked to see a new Macbook! I never asked for a computer, and I have always said I wouldn't want an Apple, so I was seriously shocked to see that he got me one. It is loaded with tonz of software, including all the photoshop and stuff. Stuff I don't seem to have the time for. Lately all I need my computer for is blogging, email, and Facebook! I'm am starting to like my knew computer though, and I'm sure when I find time to be "creative" will appreciate it even more.
So the morning was great....full of the spirit, kids being thankful and loving, all happy with their gifts. Their was a point in the day when the Christmas Story was on TV and it was the part where they were eating in the Chinese Restaurant listening to the Chinese waiters trying to sing Deck the Halls!!! I was laughing, and said, "Even though things didn't work out as planned, I bet that was one of their most memorable Christmas'!" (Like that family is even real or anything!) Well Heavenly FAther must have heard me!!! Our dinner plans didn't go "as planned" last night, and we all hopped in the car looking for a place to eat. The first place we saw open was McDonalds , and there was no way we were going to eat there! As we were driving around we realized that only Chinese restaurants were open. We were all laughing as we were pulling up there to eat, and the kids were asking if the waiters would be singing to us! I knew that this was going to be a Christmas we would never forget. We didn't get a Christmas song, but the kids had fun looking at the Chinese Year calendar and seeing what they are "supposed" to be like. Ethan wasn't feeling well, so he practically fell asleep in the booth, and Sophia was tired and cranky, so much so that someone asked to move as soon as they were seated by us. As I was walking around the restaurant with her, I realized that it was full of Jewish people! They were with their families having a great time, like it was just another day on the calendar. I realized they probably love Christmas night because they have restaurants all to themselves. I'm surprised they didn't start all singing Hanukkah songs! It would have topped off our experience for sure! They were all very friendly to us, except the ones who moved! Definitely a memorable night! When we came home, we put Sophia down for a bed, and the kids and Ben watched Kung Fu Panda while I talked to my Dad for an hour.
What I learned this Christmas is this....First, the best way to make sure you have a wonderful Christmas is to serve someone who couldn't have a "Christmas" without you. Secondly, if you simplify Christmas it will actually Magnify it. Lastly; no matter what Christmas day, or Eve dishes out, you have control to make it into something memorable rather than miserable! Christmas is about Love, giving, and most importantly our Savior. If we aren't focused on him, how can we feel the spirit of HIS day...his birthday!!