Christmas Part One

Christmas Eve started off really well. First we went to worship for the 6pm service at our church. We had planned for 150 at church and ended up with 204! WOW! Parker and Aydenn sang "Happy Birthday Jesus!" in the children's choir, Daddy was the worship assistant and Mommy preached. We had some other great special music and ended the service singing Silent Night outside with candles.

Then we headed off to Granny's house in Tampa, where we had Christmas dinner and exchanged gifts with Granddaddy's side of the family.

Afterwards, we went to Grandmommy and Granddaddy's house to unpack and then went to the 11pm service at First Seffner. Grandma joined us there as well. It was a special family service in many ways because Mommy, Daddy, Parker and Wesley got to light the Advent Candle, cousin Micah got to acolyte, Grandmommy preached (a Mary monologue), and Uncle Daniel did sign language for the sermon and the candle readings. We had a few hairy moments lighting the candles, caused by Wesley's over interest, but in all it went well. But we had to rush home and get the boys in bed for Santa Claus. Daddy and Parker had been checking the NORAD tracking all day waiting for the big guy to get here. It ended up being 12:30am before the boys got to bed. Here they are in their Christmas jammies setting up the cookies and milk for Santa and the carrots for the reindeer.

Then it was time to put out all the packages for all the relatives. Daddy, Mommy, Uncle Daniel and Grandmommy ususally end up doing this. It was about 1:45am when we finished and here's the result (this is presents for 19 grownups and 5 kids).

We were having so much fun that we stayed up talking long into the morning.... and went to bed after 4am! Ouch!