Smith Family Christmas

First of all let me introduce you to the amazing Jen.  She was the photographer of the day, and I am also blessed to have her as one of my covenant daughters.  Let me tell you a little bit about her...Jen is a wonderful wife and mother, she has three children, but many more have been blessed by just knowing her.  Jen is married to our son Michael, who loves her so much it is inspiring to see.  Jen has three boys and they are great children, but of course I would say that since they are part of our clan!

And what an amazing photographer.  Jen spent the whole day, pretty much, behind her camera.  I said to my husband that Jen reminds me of me a few years back, and now I am so glad to have a new family photographer, her eye for photos is awesome...she see a great shot and she captures it. 

It may be a few days until the pictures are up but as soon as they are I will share with all of you.

So now we will get back to the way that the Smith's celebrated their Christmas...All were here except for Jonquil and her five children, and they were missed.  We had Ruth, Samuel and Mary with Baby Levi, Scotty and Andrea with Trenton, Michael and Jen with Mikie (Michael), Jacob, and Shea, Tim and Celeste with Madie (Madison) and Ryan, my husband Tim and I, and next year there will be another.  Scott and Andrea are expecting another wonderful little baby boy in May!

It was probably about 2:30 till everyone got there, but once all were there we opened presents and once again the boys were so good about only opening their presents so far as to see what they received and then no further...Lego's can be left far and wide, and we didn't want them to lose pieces.  Madie was delighted with her wonderful pink princess dress ups from the Disney closet.  And I think Levi was pleased with his O balls and his noisy blocks.

After the children and adults opened their gifts...and oh by the way, Michael, I think had the best gifts for some of the men in the family.  He figured out how to put a very meaningful picture for them into a cutting board.  Those gifts, where I think, and not to down play anyone else in the family, the best.  I know that the recipient's were very touched as was I for my husband and Michael's father. 

After we had a yummy dinner of Turkey and gravy, carrots, corn and mashed potatoes, we all relaxed for a bit before we all gathered around and lit a candle and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.  We finished up our dinner with desert of Crunchy Munchy Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and the traditional Pumpkin Pie.  All seemed to be satisfied.  I know I was full and happy.

All in all I would say the day was a success.  But I must say one thing, when there is a new baby in our midst we don't spend enough time playing games...everyone and I mean everyone (except son Timmy) held Levi, who at three months finially got to meet his other aunts and uncles and cousins.  We had a truly pleasant day.

Since it seems that we have only been meeting up as a large group twice a year, my husband and I decided this wasn't enough.  So I took a little time and came up with a little Smith Family itinerary.  We now, in the coming year will also meet up around Easter, and Fathers Day and then Thanksgiving and Christmas.  And we don't have any of these gatherings on the actual day; they are usually on the Saturday following the event or maybe before, just depend how they fall.  I gave a copy to each of the mothers since they are usually the keepers of the schedules and I told them that we didn't, as parents and grandparents feel that we were gathering often enough.  I don't think that four times a year is too often for the the whole group to gather. And I think that they were pleased that I did this.  So girls, don't forget to mark these on your calendars.

When all had left on their ways, my husband and I decided, that the day was a success and that everyone was happy with their gifts.  We really had another very pleasant gathering.  Thank you Lord Jesus for that.

On Sunday the 23rd, Tim and I went to church and what an amazing sermon once again.  Something that I wrote down that I will expound on tomorrow, but probably not till a little later in the day was the following..."Is the grasp of tradition, tighter than the grasp of truth?" as spoken by Pastor Don Wolabaugh.

Yes it is that time of day, and it is Christmas Eve.  Thank you Daddy for what you have done for me and for everyone else as well, I only hope they all come to this realazation.  Now please be a blessing!