Christmas Eve!

We had an absolutely fabulous Christmas this year. It was so wonderful! We have really enjoyed staying home with just our little family the last few years. It is so relaxing and such a special time to be together. Christmas Eve was a beautiful warm sunny day! The kids played outside right up until the time our guests arrived and it was a great day. Jeremy and I really enjoy cooking in the kitchen together so it was fun to do that while the kids were happy and excited for Christmas.

I tried a delicious raspberry swirl cheesecake this year and it did not disappoint! Wowzers, it was good.

Jeremy got called to be the Ward Mission Leader a few months ago and we have really enjoyed spending time with the missionaries. I think they really love to be in our home too, so we invited all of them over for Christmas Eve dinner. (Normally we can't have both the Elders and Sisters for dinner, but they make an exception for holidays). We sure love our missionaries! We also invited Joe and Linda over. Joe works for Jeremy as his Manufacturing Manager and was expressing some sadness over them being alone during the holidays. He and his wife moved from Chicago the same time we did, but they don't have any family or friends really, so Jeremy invited them over. I was so happy they could join us. They are the nicest people and it was fun to have a full table. The missionaries were excited to have some non-members there too, of course. ;)

We had a very delicious feast! Ham, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, rolls, broccoli cauliflower salad, corn casserole (Linda brought), carrots, and Christmas jello. My mom always made that fun layered jello at Christmas, but this is the first year I decided to do it. I thought the kids would think it was fun, but it was the adults that loved it! The kids didn't really like it but everyone else ate it up and commented how much they loved it! Haha.

After dinner, Jeremy read from Luke and the kids and missionaries acted out the nativity. We also sang a few Christmas hymns. The missionaries had to leave after that, but Joe and Linda stayed a little longer and we enjoyed visiting with them. They were so sweet and brought gifts for each of the kids. They have only been married for 5 years, so they don't have any kids together, and Linda is estranged from her only daughter. I felt so bad that they are so lonely, so it felt nice to include them in our Christmas celebration. Joe told Jeremy he really appreciated it. Hopefully we can have them back next year too.

Sister Bluder made a beautiful angel. Elder Van Alfen was a shepherd I think? And Connor and Anna were Mary and Joseph.

Wisemen Elder Miller and Eli bringing gifts.

I sure love these kids! They make Christmas so special.

After everyone left, we just sat by the glow of the Christmas tree for awhile before getting everyone to bed. Then Jeremy and I had a fun time setting out some presents for the kids before going to bed. It was a wonderful day!