Oh Christmas! Oh Martha!

It's the day they've all been waiting for--- It's Christmas Morning!!!!!!

Blogging about Christmas morning is rather daunting to me-- so many kids, so many pictures.  I think I'll just go person by person.

We'll start with the good-looking guy on the TV screen.  We got to talk to our missionary and it was wonderful.  He called just before 7 AM to tell us he'd been calling later in the afternoon.  The funny thing is, he totally woke us up!  He said, "Aren't you guys in the middle of opening presents?" 

I said, "... Uh, no.  The kids are all asleep"

Clark said, "WHAT?!?!  Tell them I am very disappointed in them!"

We're usually pretty early risers for Christmas morning.  

The funniest moment was when Cannon help "The Cat" up to the camera to prove to Clark that the cat still lives.  As you can see, Clark got a kick out of that.  I like The Cat's face on the screen at the bottom right.

I guess you can tell we were more than a little happy to see his face.

For Greta, it was like nothing had changed.  She was completely enamoured by Clark.  Clark specifically asked to put Greta up to the camera a couple times and couldn't believe how much she had changed since the Mother's Day video call.  Greta sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to him.

 He told us stories and it was marvelous to have that hour together.  He was well taken care of by the members in Texas.

And I admit, I like that he'll only be gone for one Christmas.  Next Christmas we will all be together again!

Bethany got a Karaoke machine.

And character shoes for her theatrical endeavors.

This was my favorite moment of Christmas morning.  Bethany gave me a framed picture of her and me at her senior violin recital.  Clark gave me a similar picture of he and I hiking together before he left on his mission.  This was very meaningful to me and it quickly brought forth the tears.

A love this picture of Elinor wearing her new swim deck coat, wearing her Tokyo shirt that Faith gave her for Christmas, and eating cream puffs with chopsticks.  It's just so Elinor. 

Elinor also introduced us to her Asian dramas she likes to watch and we binged watched some over the break.

Bethany gave Elinor a threat wallet and it was... shall we say... very well received.

Clark sent us "Texas-opoly" for Christmas.  Abe is channeling Donald Trump and Elinor is flicking money to everyone.  I don't know what Bethany and Faith are doing.

A new swim suit.

Faith and her University of Utah gymnastics season tickets.

Faith and I working on her cat puzzle.

Poor Faith- I got her the wrong size of pants she requested and the wrong size dress.  Tomorrow we'll head out and see if we can find the right sizes.  Sorry, Faith.

It was a Green Machine Christmas for the boys.

These don't take up as much room, but they take up every possible moment-- Bey Blades. My boys are obsessed! 

They got loads of them and they all got stadiums in which to "battle".  They play them together and there are no screens or electricity involved.  Yes, please!

Seriously, where have these toys been all my life?  

Abe won this little baby at work... so yeah.  We don't really need, nor do I want any more video games.  Oh well.

The moment when Cannon unwrapped our already owned Nintendo Switch (another work prize) and realized Abe had downloaded Super Smash Brothers.  Cannon was overcome with joy!

Peter really wanted a gumball machine.

Greta had an all PJ Masks Christmas.  

A meeting of the Foxy Ladies on Christmas morning.  This picture reminds me that I am the luckiest woman I know.

She tested out the karaoke machine to sing the PJ Masks theme song.

Abe opened our family gift from Clark-- the Texas-Opology game and a envelope filled with little papers he wrote to everyone in the family with 5 things he loved about each of us.  Very sweet and a highlight of the morning.

Abe got me this very comfy lounge wear.  Christmas break is all about the lounge wear.

He cooked us his traditional and delicious British fried breakfast.

Merry Christmas 2018!

Do You Like My Useless Reenactment of YouTube Videos?

Not one of my children has memorized "The Gettysburg Address".  They can't rattle off scripture after scripture.  They don't memorize classic poetry.  We are lacking.
But in one area they are truly gifted.  They can memorize, word for word, hundreds of useless YouTube videos, comedy sketches, and internet vines.  Homeschooling is really paying off.
I am so proud.

Here is their most quoted video of the season.


Presenting our reenactment of this treasured holiday classic.

Christmas Eve 2018

Ahhh... Christmas Eve.  So much anticipation.  So much preparation.  So satisfying and rewarding.

The kids table.  I don't think much food was actually consumed, but they seemed to have a wonderful time.

Charming children.

Greta with her Mommy and "Daddy Bear".  That's what she calls Abe.

As per tradition, we did do a Nativity pageant.  I'm sorry to say there were a few irreverent moments, most all of which came from my naughty children.  Hmm...we're going to have to rethink who directs the pageant.  It has been Bethany for many years, but she seems to be taking too much creative license. 

We had wise women this year.  Which would have been fine, had not one wise woman in particular quoted a popular internet vine while presenting the myrrh... MURDER! JUDAS NO!

No remorse.

Yeah, so, we'll be making changes next year. 

There was singing.  And I mean good singing!  My sister-in-law, Laura's mom was spending Christmas with their family so she joined up for the evening.  She is a truly remarkable pianist, so to have her playing the piano for our singing was a Christmas dream come true.  

Faith played her "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" for us.

We face-timed my brother Matt who lives in Denver.  He requested to hear Bethany play the violin.  Lucky for us, Julene Updike can sight read very difficult music, so she accompanied Bethany playing her concerto.  Maybe he got more than he asked for!  But you don't get to have an accompanist like her in your house everyday!

There was pie and visiting.

Father and son-- Peter and Eli.

Abe read a favorite Christmas story, "Christmas Bells For Anya" and then shared a message from our missionary.

New pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa.

Silly girls showing off their evil cat pajamas pants.

The boy cousins.

The girl cousins.

They really have too much fun.

Grandpa reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

Bethany cracking us up reading "Cajun Night Before Christmas".  I swear she gets it better and better every year. 

 It was just what a Christmas Eve ought to be.  Family, food, children, music, gifts, and most importantly, a focus on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ-- the giver of all good gifts.  We are so grateful.