Christmas

Christmases have changed for Kelly and I over the last few years.  Sometimes we are in Pocatello with family, other times we are at home with each other.  This was one of those years.  Thankfully we have made some very  close friends that include us and we always receive an invitation from Kelly's cousin to join them for dinner.
Sunday, December 22nd, we joined Kelly's extended family for a Christmas dinner and gathering.  Aunt Javann includes us every year and we enjoy spending the evening with all of them eating and catching up. Because we have spent so much time with Dennis and Vickie, their kids think of us as Uncle and Aunt not cousins.  I'm grateful for their love and their willingness to include us.

Christmas Eve was spent with our dear friends, the Pilchers.  They have become our surrogate children and grandchildren.  When we feel we need a grandchildren fix we go to Pilchers.  Every Christmas Eve they have Waffles for dinner and this year was no exception.  We were invited to join them and took along Grandma Harman's candy syrup.  We enjoyed a lovely dinner, cleaned up and while Dad, Mom and and the three older children played a game, Kelly and I entertained their one year old, Quincy.  She was great fun.
Christmas morning arrived and long gone are the very early morning arisings.  We slept in.  Well, I slept in--Kelly never sleeps in, but he ĺaid back down and we reminisced for a few minutes before getting up.  Each of us had read the Christmas story found in Luke 2 and were touched by different learning.  This year as I studied the Lord gave me new perspective of each character and how each of their roles apply in our individual lives.  I love how the Lord teaches me.
Santa was very generous to both Kelly and I.  We each received just what we requested.  I think my favorite gift was a new pair of black boots, although I loved everything.  Once the gifts were opened, we joined the Killpacks for German pancakes, bacon and sausage.  Like I said we have some very sweet, inclusive friends and family.  It was decided that we were all going to the movie that afternoon.
After showering cleaning up we made a trip to our friends, the Eborns.  They have been so supportive and offered so much the past few months, I wanted to give them something special to remember this time in life, but that story is for another time.
W ventured from there to pick up the Killpack girls and headed to see "Savings Mr. Banks".  It was a great story about the author of Mary Poppins, PL Travers, Walt Disney and the making of Mary Poppins.  A story of transformation and healing and really quite amazing.
Age is catching up to us and with the busy day we were ready to relax.  Upon returning home we enjoyed frozen pizza for dinner and watched "It's a Wondeful Life".
Through out the previous Christmas weeks our home has been visited by many bearing many sweet and thoughtful gifts.  It has reminded us of Kelly's five years as Bishop.  This year, however, we were remembered by ward and stake members. How wonderful these Magna Stake member are!!!
We retired to bed having been filled with the love of many and the joy of the holidays.