Christmas Memories

Christmas was celebrated over many days as we visited with friends and family. We enjoyed the time spent celebrating our Savior's birth.
We started the season with a great time at Albert and Laura's house with cousin galore. The Lebanese food was delicious!!
A few weeks later we hosted a caroling party here with a few friends. We had lots of fun and food. We laughed and sang Christmas songs around the piano. We even had "chestnuts roasting over an open fire."
Christmas Eve we traveled to Dan and Karen's house just over the border in Connecticut. We got to see their lovely, new house and visit with relatives from Amy's side of the family that we don't get to see very often. There were many little cousins running around, happy to play with each other. We were even treated to a banjo/tuba mini-concert of Christmas carols.
Christmas Day was beautiful! When we all got up, we sang a few Christmas songs and read the Christmas story from the Bible. After cinnamon buns for breakfast we headed outside with our stale bread to leave a little Christmas gift for the birds and squirrels. Uncle Dave, Aunt Leana, and the dogs arrived just as we were leaving and they were able to join us on our annual Christmas morning hike (one of our favorite Christmas traditions).
When we came back we enjoyed time playing and around the fire and dinner with Nonno, Gramma, Uncle Mark, Netnie, and Uncle Scott.
The highlight of the kids' day was getting to skate and play hockey on our ice rink with Uncle Scott and Uncle Mark. We also had a few board games that were fun too!
Friday afternoon we were able to spend some time with Auntie Rena, Uncle Wally, Jesse, and Jenna....the kids loved trying their Wii.
Saturday, after a morning of hockey for the three older kids, we went to Christmas Part II at Jidoo and Noni's. Another day of great food and time to visit with family. The kids had fun again running around and playing with cousins they don't get to see very often.
Each day was a wonderful time spent with family and friends.

These are the memories of Christmas 2008 that we will all cherish the most!! Thanks to all that helped make these memories.