What a wonderful Christmas we had. For Christmas Eve we went over to Doug and Francine Cowie's and had a delicious dinner. Afterwards Doug read from the scriptures about Jesus birth and then Francine told a cute fun little Christmas story about how Christmas trees got their lights. We then gave each other our presents.

Earlier in the week for our ward's mutual night Grant and I got asked to be in a live nativity. We posed as Mary and Joseph. Joseph was baby Jesus. It was very interesting as the kids came into the barn (that we were set up in) and they were chatting to one another, how all of the sudden things just calmed down and the chattering stopped. I felt the spirit very strong at that moment which confirmed to me that the scene Grant and I were privileged to reenact was a very real, sacred, and special moment in time. This was the time where our Savior was born in a humble stable. He came here to atone for our sins, to teach us how to live. He came so we may live with him and our Heavenly Father again. I am so thankful for his love and sacrifice.

We sat as a live nativity for about an hour. Joseph was such a good baby. He didn't cry once. Many afterwards came up and said how amazed they were that he did so well.

Christmas morning:
This Christmas was very fun! We woke up and read from the scriptures and Lydia sang us some Christmas songs she had been practicing for our twelve day caroling. She really loves to sing!!! After our little family devotional I guess you could call it we opened our stockings filled with the traditional orange, peanuts, socks, toothbrushes, and a few other nick knacks. We then opened presents. Lydia enjoyed opening presents this year although I think she started getting a little overwhelmed with the whole thing because she had just had a birthday not long before Christmas and had opened presents there as well (I have thought about maybe celebrating her birthday at her half birthday just for that reason and because it would be warmer). It was a great Christmas!