The Chaos of Christmas 2009

This was truly a wonderful Christmas. I loved having Ginger's kids living here so we could have all the excitement that comes from little children. A tradition we have is all the kids sit on the stairs and wait to come down together. Imagine our surprise when Laynie came running in, hands in the air, and yelled, "PRESENTS!!!" After hurrying her back to the stairs, she ran into her room deflated and hid under the bed. It then took 10 minutes to get her back out.




I had a few favorite parts of Christmas. I loved the chaos. Usually we open gifts one at a time, watching each other, and then put our wrapping paper in a trash bag. This time it was a free for all and I loved seeing the kids sitting in piles of garbage. It was crazy fun.



Justin only asked for luggage and his mission suits. This is by no means "fun". I wanted to get him something he could also enjoy. A couple of weeks before Christmas he mentioned he wanted a Nerf gun. After grilling his friend, I bought the automatic one he wanted and promptly wrapped it. A couple of days later he sent me a text showing a different gun he wanted. I went to Walmart and bought that one. I left it in the trunk to wrap Christmas Eve. Then Christmas Eve day, it was brought to my attention that it was a different one. Ugh!!!! So that one got wrapped too. Two wrapped Nerf guns, and one left in the trunk. I fully planned on him deciding which one he wanted and returning the others to the store. He was intent on keeping the two wrapped ones, saying, "You can't take back my Christmas gifts." I asked him to hold still so I could take a picture...he replied, "I can't hold still, I am just so happy!" That made my day.




I loved how Brooklyn and Bailey both asked for "fake" glasses. They think they look very smart in them. I think they look like twins! Brooklyn also got an ipod with a player. With her being deaf I thought the only way she would be able to hear the music is with the player, but she found she would wrap the earphones around her ear and if they hung just right, she could hear the music. Smarty pants!




The highlight of the day was of course speaking to Brandon. It was wonderful to hear the joy he is having on his mission. They were snowed in for 4 days with another set of missionaries. They were so excited to open their gifts, that at 2:30 am the four missionaries began their Christmas festivities. Both Amber and I gave Brandon a set of remote control cars. So four missionaries had four remote control cars to play with. Also Amber sent Brandon two nerf guns, as did one of the other elder's mom...so four missionaries had four nerf guns to play with. Brandon wondered what the neighbors thought as they were jumping over couches and hiding in closets at 2 am. They couldn't leave for any dinner appointments, so their Christmas dinner consisted of cereal and Ritz crackers with spray cheese. He didn't seem to mind. Isn't this how Christmas is suppose to be in the mission? And the next night he did have two baptisms...That is what a White Christmas really is!




As for me, Ginger and I decided to do each other's stockings. It was a wonderful idea. It was nice to give and receive with someone you know so well. I love you sista!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas...and now on to the New Year!