We love Christmas

We love Christmas because..........We had our whole family together this Christmas except for Josh who is serving a mission in France. That made 28 of us. Wow, we went through a lot of food and we made a big mess and we absolutely loved it. We got to talk to Josh (Elder Lyman) on the phone on Christmas day and it was all good.

(our family went to a lot of trouble to create this live nativity scene, with the kids dressed up so cute and even a live donkey!)

And we love Christmas because........of the chance we have to spend time with cousins, aunts & uncles, grandpas and grandmas.

At family parties...........

Christmas morning with Grandpa...........
at Grandma's house..........

And the gifts that are exchanged are fun. This little guy is Paco!

I'm not sure there has ever been a gift as fun as the little donkey

that our family gave us this year!!!

And more family time playing in the snow........










And more family parties...........

And, or course, we love Christmas because of the chance we have to celebrate the birth of our Savior

"Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love. It is the love of the Son of God for all mankind. It reaches out beyond our power to comprehend. It is magnificent and beautiful.

It is peace. It is the peace which comforts, which sustains, which blesses all who accept it.

It is faith. It is faith in God and His Eternal Son. It is faith in His wondrous ways and message.

It is faith in Him as our Redeemer and our Lord.

In our times of grateful meditation, we acknowledge His priceless gift to us and pledge our love and faith. This is what Christmas is really about."

(Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Season for Gratitude," Ensign, Dec. 1997, 4-5)