We were excited to be able to spend Christmas with family this year. Ashlyn, especially, loves spending time with her cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. She has a pretty special bond with each and every one of them.
Our Christmas celebrations started with a delicious Christmas Eve dinner at the Gillis'. This was the first time that we had all been together since last time Jake came to Utah, David was still on his mission. And before David went on his mission, Megan hadn't been born.
So we were very excited that everyone was able to gather in Utah to spend Christmas Eve together as one big family. Megan was extra excited!
After dinner, we were able to watch an adorable little Christmas Nativity played out by the grandkids and the kids still living at home.
It was wonderful - everyone did a great job!
Megan did a great job as Mary, especially in taking care of the little baby.
Ashlyn had a lot of fun playing the part of the singing chorus of angels. After the nativity, we were able to gather around and exchange gift since we were parting ways that night. We then packed up and headed to the Schmutz house where...
...Santa Claus showed up that night! Ashlyln was quite impressed, and a little confused, about why there were so many toys left out the next morning. There was no complaining, though, when we explained they were all for her.
Even now, she will still ask me if we brought home all of the toys she got at Christmas. She will ask "We didn't leave it at Grandmas?" And I will have to assure her that we did, indeed, bring all those toys home.
We had such a Merry Christmas and are excited to make the trek and do it all again next year! (hopefully with a bigger car, though!)
