Here we are at the pre-Christmas Shepherd's Dinner. It's become a tradition and is such a pleasant way to pass the evening. We sit on the floor and enjoy beautiful bread, honey butter, crackers, cheese, fruit, dried dates, and vegetables. In addition, we sang all the Christmas hymns having to do with shepherds.
We were so enjoying our evening at Grammy and Papa's house after the shepherd dinner that we ended up lingering until 10. I had brought pajamas for the kids, so we got them ready for bed and kicked back to enjoy a little extended family movie night. We watched Nanny McPhee, and John made sure Papa was snuggled up right next to him.
We got lots and lots of Cummings cousin time in over the holidays. Isaac, Reuben, and John were quite the trio with their swords. Often the three of them wore helmets as well. Got to be prepared for those cousin battles.
Spencer and Joel had an all-out Lego battle. Spencer took a few days to carry over all of his Lego creations for the big event.
I now have about 100 pictures of Legos from all different angles on my iPhone documenting this epic war. My favorite pictures, though, are the ones with this cute Legomaniac. Love that the cousins got to have some fun with Legos too. We are lucky to have an uncle like Joel to facilitate so much fun.
Our wonderful friends (and neighbors) the Gardners brought us this beautiful sweet bread the night before Christmas Eve. Jim's mom used to make this and give it out to all their neighbors, and Jim has carried on the tradition. We were happy to be the recipients and made it our breakfast Christmas Eve morning.
After a quick morning photo session with the Cummings clan (covered in a different post), we headed over to the Wride household to join in the traditional Polar Express Party. We ran around the house like mad with the soundtrack blaring in the background and my kiddos taking turns blowing the choo-choo whistle, had some delicious hot cocoa, fed coal (rolled-up black socks) into the train's engine, and decorated a gingerbread house. It's a great way to pass Christmas Eve day, which I remember thinking dragged on FOREVER when I was a kid. We sure missed the Wride cousins!
A little Christmas surprise...it started snowing on Christmas Eve!
John and Emma jumping for joy. We love snow!
Here's what it looked like a little later in the day.
We headed over to Grammy and Papa's for the traditional Christmas Eve festivities. Our van had some trouble making it up the hill, so we hoofed it the last part of the way. It was a lovely evening for a family walk in the snow. Here's the sight that greeted us. A little Christmas magic. (Picture borrowed from Aunt Janet's collection).
Since I was a bit late in getting the rice started, we led off the evening's festivities with The Nativity. John was dressed in soldier gear and ended up playing the part of Herod when the wise men come seeking the babe.
The Elders were in attendance. Right now, the Goose Creek and Leesburg Wards are sharing a set of missionaries. We tease the elders about having Wride radar because whenever we are visiting either of our parents, the missionaries pop by for an unannounced visit. Good thing we like Elder Seal and Elder Day so well because we sure see a lot of them!
Here are the shepherds: Emma, Heather, and Spencer. Recognize him behind all those whiskers?
A cast photo.
From L to R: Emma (shepherd), Dan (donkey), Spencer (shepherd), John (Herod the soldier king), Melinda (wise man), Joel (angel), Heather (shepherd), Hyrum (baby Jesus), Michelle (Mary), Isaac (Joseph), Greg (wise man), Trina (shepherd/innkeeper), Lily (wise man).
Here's Papa wearing Grandpa Cummings' Christmas vest, reading the story of the Nativity from the Family Bible.
After the Nativity play, it was time for the most delicious meal of the entire year: chicken chimichangas. Red, white, and green toppings makes it a festive food, and we have Grandma Elaine Bezzant to thank for starting this wonderful tradition.
Here's the Christmas Eve crowd in my parents' beautiful kitchen. Brad, Valerie, and Laura Wride joined in the fun since this is an "off" year for the Wride clan gathering.
After dinner, we enjoyed an evening of music. Adam and Emma played a duet on the piano entitled "Christmas Day." Love this daddy-daughter duet. Valerie and I played along with an arrangement of "Silent Night" that Spencer has learned. I love the celebration of Christmas through music. Other highlights included Joel's "Bach Prelude," Elder Day's "Joy to the World," Valerie/Laura's "Christmas Chopsticks", Celeste/Melinda's "O Come, O Come Immanuel" and Grammy's "This Little Light of Mine." There were many other lovely numbers whose titles aren't coming to mind at present. (Sarah - what is the gorgeous song you sang/played?) We closed by singing "The Hallelujah Chorus."
After a delicious dessert of frozen chocolate frangoes, we headed off to the Wride's house for a reading of The Polar Express and to write our letters to Santa. All in all, a very merry Christmas Eve.
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