With all of our children in Texas, we prepared for an exciting family Christmas holiday. We were determined to conclude a trying 2020 on a positive note. Bobby's family enjoyed Christmas eve and morning with Chelsea's family in San Antonio.
Bob and I went with Michael's family to join Stephanie's family for a Christmas Eve "Shepherd's Meal" and nativity. That was the beginning of what is sure to be a beloved Christmas Eve tradition!
Michael, Kristin, Eve and Brady then spent the night at our house to provide some sparkle to our Christmas morning. Kristin made all of the adorable matching llama pajamas for her family. And the delicious beautiful cookies as well.
After opening presents and having breakfast, Bob and I took Eve and Brady to the park.
The whole family gathered at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a cousin gift exchange on Saturday, December 26th. There were lots of sweet cousin hugs!
That evening, the polar bear swim challenge had Thomas and Max shivering stubbornly in the cold pool for the honor of proving themselves the bravest bear! Thomas finally conceded to Max in order to get him out of that freezing water.
The following day, after church, everyone hung out at our home and played games. Michael organized some fun "minute to win it" activities for the kids.
Later that afternoon, we had a root beer taste test with eighteen varieties of the brew. There were very mixed results, except for a consensus that the worst tasting was the Australian "Bundaberg"! A few adults voted for an Aldi find called "Suds", but I preferred "St. Arnold's". After that, some of the kids successfully fished in our neighborhood pond.
On Monday, December 28, while the dad's were all back at work, some of us went to Jones State Park for a little walk through the forest. A spontaneous talent show brought smiles to our faces.
There was fun for all at the Johnson's home that evening as a simple birthday celebration took place for Max and Brady who were both born on January 6.
On New Year's Eve, we had arranged to go visit our friends, the Peterson's, who had agreed to let us come and practice shooting guns at their property. They had a really nice shooting gallery set up, and I was glad that Bob was able to practice using his newly inherited rifle. I took a couple of shots, realizing that I do better shooting left-handed because I cannot wink my left eye in order to see through the scope properly. It was fun to watch Emma and Max shoot the targets!
The rest of the family played at the Spring Creek beach near the Johnson's home and then took a dip in their pool.
That evening we gathered at our home to count down the hours until midnight with some creative family activities which Chelsea had planned. And then, the frigid New Year was rung in with some faulty fireworks and shivering cold scared kids in front of our house. Thankfully the evening rain made everything fireproof and prevented any serious mishaps!
We are not too sad to bid farewell to 2020 . . . although it's times like these which are made all the more precious when things are a little tough! We're grateful that our united focus on our Heavenly Father's plan, and the redemptive love of Christ's atonement, empowers us to move forward with faith into the new year. Welcome 2021!
