Quiet Christmas

We had a very peaceful Christmas this year.

Quite a change from our previous years,

when we've been around lots of family.

But I still wanted a big Christmas Eve dinner,

so I made the turkey, rolls, potatoes, etc.

and then we headed to the retirement home to participate

in a nativity and a sing-a-long

 The girls did a great job as angels guarding the baby Jesus

and Matthew was a solemn, respectful shepherd

After some carols, we headed home.

Got into our traditional Christmas Eve new pajamas,

read some stories and got everything ready for Santa

-Matthew wrote a letter while the girls put out cookies and carrots-

 Christmas Morning!

We make the kids wait on the stairs

while Dad makes sure that Santa has come

and the scene is ready for kids!

Even Nora knew something good was going on!

Everyone was happy and we had a restful day
Matt spent his day building Legos
The girls played American Girl and kitchen with Nora
I got to curl up on the couch and read a book
and Paul got to clean and vacuum.
Yep--everyone was happy!