The First of Two Family Christmas Parties

This year we decided to try something new.

Our Christmas Eve get togethers in the past have been jam packed with traditions and just a lot of chaos with all of the littles so as a family we decided to make these changes....

Instead of one family Christmas party we had two.  The Monday before Christmas we met all met at our home.  We did not have dinner together so everyone was to eat before they came.  The first event of the evening was to have our spiritual gathering.  Everyone was invited to share a special thought or experience or testimony of the Savior.  

Grandpa was able to go first and told the story given by President Hinckley a number of years ago about Big Tom taking a licking for the scrawny boy who stole toms lunch.  

Next was Kaitlyn's turn.  She spoke of the many different names of the Savior and what they mean to her.  She also shared a song called Speak the Name by the Asidors.

Next, was Skylar and Sarah's family.  

Charles started out with "Joy to the World" that he has been practicing on the piano.

Next the Phelps kids sang "This is the Season Beloved of the Year"

Next Skylar and Sarah taught about the greatest gift that we could receive, eternal life.

Next was Kendra's turn.  (Brach was sick and couldn't make it.)

She also spoke of the different names of the Savior and how at different times in our life we need that different name (or character) of the Savior to strengthen us.  She bore her testimony of His goodness and strength in her life.

Next was my turn and I shared the fact coined by President Hinckley that there would be no Christmas without Easter.  I spoke of how the savior had been with me during the difficult nights just after my surgery and sung the hymn "We'll Sing all Hail to Jesus' Name."

For the end of the program Scout got up to sing the first verse of Silent Night with the sign language.

We joined in on the last two verses and then had a closing prayer.

It got a little crazy toward the end because for some reason our littles have a really hard time being reverent.  The hour program got a little long for them....

After the program we got our food boxes ready to deliver and left in separate cars.

Before dropping off the boxes we went to four homes to do some Christmas caroling.   I love it when we do this.  I want this tradition to live on as the kids grow.

Afterwards two of the cars went to deliver the boxes while grandpa and I came home to get the treats set out.  We provided donuts and hot chocolate for treats but I had also made a pot of Uncle Johnny's Chili beforehand for whoever was hungry.  A lot of people had chili which warmed my heart.  I had two helpings because neither Rick or I had dinner.  It was super good!

We were able to have our evening done by 9:00 which was good because it was a school night.

It was a good night!