Our Christmas Day Celebration

I thought that a few of you might enjoy reading about how a family of 16 (incl. Heidi) spends Christmas Day, while enjoying, but not focusing on, the opening of presents.



9:00 Merry Christmas everyone! Time to wake up.


We all had stayed up until after midnight, watching "Elf", and everyone had received their first present, a pair of Christmas Pajamas opened on Christmas Eve.








10:00 Brunch

Egg & Ham Casserole (Papa made it last night.)
Braided Cherry Sweet Bread (Mama made it last night.)
Strawberry/Banana Smoothies


11:00 Family Devotions (read by Jeremiah)


11:15 Open Stockings

Mama sent stockings to Carissa (in Argentina) and Lindsey (in Germany).
Mama also filled stockings for Cassie and Heidi.
Cassie filled stockings for everyone else.
Sarah had written a letter for each member of the family,
which she had put into the stockings, unbeknownst to me. Very Sweet!







1:00 Dinner Preparations are made.

Papa checks the lamb and turkey in the oven,
and makes the cranberry stuffing.
Mama makes 2 Pumpkin Pies.


2:00 - 4:00 Play Time

Little Ones enjoy the snow.
Big Kids & Papa play Telephone Pictionary.
Friend Scott drops by for a visit.
Mama takes a nap.


5:00 Christmas Dinner for 14 (Missing Carissa & Lindsey)

Lamb
Turkey
Cranberry/Pear/Wild Rice Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Yams
Corn
Dinner Rolls w/ homemade Peach Jam
Wild Berry Punch

I had no idea this picture was being taken, it just showed up on my computer when I downloaded pics. Since Ben is missing from the picture, he must have been the one who took it. However, I don't quite know how he was practically hanging from the ceiling above my head, to get this angle. Too funny!




Everyone gets to answer 2 questions:

#1 What are you thankful for this year?
#2 What gift will you give to Jesus this year?

Rachel's answer for question #2, "Shoes." Yes, she wants to give Jesus a pair of shoes this year. I'm thinking that maybe she watched a movie and saw that he was wearing worn out sandals???

Friend Jared stops by, just in time to be the last to answer the questions.


6:00 Clean Up and Dessert Prep.

It's all about teamwork!


Papa relaxes after preparing the wonderful Christmas Dinner.
Jacob & Sarah clear the table.
Ben & Gregg load the dishwasher.
Cassie makes Mochas & Lattes for the adults and big kids.
Jeremiah & Josiah peel and slice 18 apples.
Hosanna makes the apple pie filling.
Mama makes the crust for the 11x15 deep dish Apple Pie.


7:30 Gift Exchange

Starting with the youngest child, each person goes to the Christmas Tree and retrieves the present that they purchased for the person who's name that they drew. This way, the focus is on the Gift-GIVING, rather than the Gift-GETTING. The younger children were so excited to give the gifts that they had purchased.






In addition to the Gift Exchange ...

... Jeremiah brought many presents from Jordan.

Some beautiful scarves for the big kids and adults.

... Hosanna bought 3 movies for the little kids, and 2 movies for the big kids and adults.

She's loving her "job" at MOPS this year, and having her own bank account.

... Jacob & Rachel made cards for everyone.

Rachel, however, apologized to Jeremiah for not giving him a card, because she didn't know that he would be home for Christmas. And, Jacob apologized to Heidi for not making her a card, because he didn't know she would be with us for Christmas. It was sweet!


9:30 Dessert (Apple & Pumpkin Pies)

Bedtime for the young ones.

Play time for the old ones.

Friends Ryan and Matt come by to visit.
(We tell Matt that he and Jared ALWAYS show up when the Apple Pie comes out of our oven.)

We play a rousing Hand & Foot Tournament
(our family's favorite card game).


1:30 a.m. Stuck

Matt needs to go home, and his car is STUCK.
I hop in to drive, while Matt and Jeremiah push the car (in reverse) all the way to the next street. Our block is a MESS!


We had a thoroughly relaxing day, filled with family, friends, faith, fun and good food (with a few presents thrown in, too).