Christmas

 

Athena seems to believe in Santa again. It's no wonder though...we all talk about him as if he were real.
Athena decorated cookies for him and when she met him at the post office he told her his favorite cookie is chocolate chip. So, we had to have some (although they actually are chocolate M&M cookies) and carrots for the reindeer. Athena added a special touch with a peppermint candycane on the cup of milk.
She also sprinkled the reindeer attractor on the front lawn. It was oats and glitter that were put together at school. She was told to sprinkle it on her lawn christmas eve so the lights would reflect off the glitter and make sure Santa doesn't miss our house. I am sure if she were to hear someone say "Santa isn't real" he would think "Oh yeah ! I knew that." But caught up in the magic of the season she seems to have forgotten. And that's just fine. ;)

 Christmas Eve I made german pancakes while Athena and Sterling went to the base bakery to purchase donuts. When they came home we had our traditional breakfast feast. German pancakes, fresh strawberries, donuts and homemade cinnamon rolls! Sugar overload.

 

At 11am we did a video conference with the Roundys for a talent show. Each family took turns displaying talents. At my family's turn we shared a video we recorded the day prior...or us dressed in red and green colors singing Away In A Manger. 

In the talent show Athena then showed off a craft she had made that was a toy milkshake : colorful with a tiny straw sticking out and even two cute kitten toothpick decorations atop.
Tiberias showed off one of his Lego character creations. He named it Tom Roundy and it has powers.
Lachoneus showed off one of his perler bead Mario character amibos he creates.

When it was Austin and Abi's turn they sang (Austin played guitar) a beautiful rendition of Away in A Manger. It was gorgeous. They also introduced us to their new pup who then announced to us some exciting news. Abi held up a sign from their new pup and Jon volunteered to read it for us. It revealed that Abi is 12 weeks pregnant! Super exciting.

Jon and Emily's children are so creative. When it was their turn they showed us a stop motion Short they created with Legos. All their children performed piano pieces as well.

 

A little later on Christmas Eve Sterling and I revealed a surprise to our children. We opened the back the van and told them there was their surprise. An early Christmas gift. It didn't take long for them to see that the boxes were a trampoline!
Sterling and I set it up and it is big. It is nice! It seemed like the whole neighborhood was excited! Ethan,Brandon, Lumen, Kailen and Ethan Strickland from a few streets over were all in our yard waiting.

They took turns playing on it. What a wonderful surprise! 

We watched a Mandalorian episode together and then the kids opened their pajamas from grandparents Roundy.

At 6:30 a family from the ward came over for some festive fun. The Jenkins joined us this Christmas Eve. First we dressed up and acted out the nativity story. Tiffany read the scriptures as the actors played their parts. Athena was a sheep (of course, she was an animal!), Luke a wiseman and Ty a shepherd.

 

Then we went outside where Ster was starting a fire in the pit. The kids played on the trampoline and in the yard until the fire was ready for roasting marshmallows.
We talked and enjoyed the fire at night. We enjoyed smores as well. At 8pm the friends left.

The kids showered off the fire smell and put on their new Christmas pjs. We took a Christmas family pj picture in front of the tree and sent the kids to bed.

Christmas morning
It was almost 7am when Mom woke up and got out of bed. To my surprise everyone else was still in bed! We all got up and went downstairs. 

Everyone received a gift they wanted most of all! What a blessed Christmas we are having!
Luke received Mario Kart Live and Sterling received it's partner Luigi Mario Kart Live! Which is incredible. It is so fun to play the Switch while the toys actually race around your home. A camera on the toy puts your home into the game and adds game features that are not actually on your floor in real life. This is a game the whole family loves.

Tiberias received a Rip Stick. This is like a skateboard but SO much more difficult to master or even simply use in any way! It only has one wheel on each end...so balance is the key. Ster was skeptical about purchasing this item because it is so difficult. But Tiberias claims he has used this before a few times and has the beginners grasp. Luckily, he was right. Christmas morning he was impressing me with his beginners skills. I tried it and I can't do it!

Athena received the Hamster house with three hamster pets and a car! She loooves it. She loves everything she received though! Her books! Her Dr. cart with tools. And her gifts from Lumen.

Tiberias was super excited to receive $20 among his gifts. That brought his savings up to $76. A new record for him. Both my boys have become so good at saving their money!

Our family gifts are an M&M machine and a Skeeball game. Super fun!

Dad surprised mom again with a gift: the stainglass Disney puzzle she has wanted almost all year! It was hard to find because so many people were doing puzzles this year...during this pandemic. It was too pricey online and the stores locally with the best prices on puzzles were remaining out of stock.
We did not realize, however, that this puzzle is made of plastic and is made so light can shine through it. Which means they also sell frames that light up these puzzles. So, we will have to spend more money to get one of those. 

He also gave me a special beauty mirror so I can see my face better and wherever I want. Meaning, I don't have to take up the bathroom space to get ready ever again. When we both need the small bathroom we share I can do my stuff in another room. haha
And lastly for Christmas I get a professional standing mixer that will come later in the mail. I am spoiled this year.

Sterling got himself some gifts as well (because he is best person to choose gifts to get for him):

An electronics work center. That includes a rubber mat that has organization built in.  A soldering iron, a oscilloscope, a 1980s stereo microscope.

One gift for the family that has not yet arrived is from my brother Isaiah. A toy claw machine. The kids have wanted one and when we saw a used and broken one at the Airman's Attic it made Mom want a family claw machine as well.  So thank you Isaiah. It will be fun for the kids to get another gift when it does arrive.

It was probably 9am when Brandon and Lumen came over to show off their presents. We let them come into the house and they joined our fun. 

It is fun to stay connected with family through Marco Polo. I enjoyed watching Marco Polos of different Christmas time activities and the groups that were able to join together for Christmas. I also enjoyed the Facebook photos of friends and family dressing up, matching pjs, fun activities, in front of Christmas trees, etc.