In The Hartland: Christmas 2023

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Christmas 2023

After the busiest December of our family's career, Christmas finally arrived this year. We spent two quiet and peaceful days celebrating this special holiday with family. After church on Christmas Eve, we drove to my parent's house to spend the evening with my family. As always, we enjoyed an evening of delicious food and our traditional Christmas program. We then drove home late and got the kids to bed before Santa Clause paid a visit. The three younger children were obedient and didn't come into our bedroom until after 7 a.m. on Christmas morning. We then made them wait until 8 o'clock to wake up Lia before heading downstairs to see all of the gifts that Santa left them. After our traditional breakfast, we enjoyed opening up gifts from under the tree before my parents stopped by in the afternoon for their visit. After they left, I made a large Filipino dinner that we ate in the dining room. Overall, it was a lovely way to spend these two days and I am so grateful for this quiet, family time that we were able to have after such a busy month.

The four children dressed in their Sunday clothes before heading off to church on Christmas Eve.

Another picture in front of the Christmas tree with mom.

And, lastly, mom and dad.

Our traditional family picture in front of my parent's tree on Christmas Eve.

After dinner, we gathered in my parents' living room for the Christmas program. Here is a darling picture I got of Emmett sitting on Riley's lap before it started.

Lia and Riley played Mary and Joseph this year.

The entire group after they were done reenacting the nativity story. I always love watching the kids perform this every year.

Natalee then brought out her bells for everyone to play several Christmas songs. Here is a picture of Logan, Ella, and Trenton ringing them with gusto.

We finished off the evening with my dad lighting the candles on the tree. We then sang "Silent Night" in German and English in addition to a few other Christmas songs.

No matter the age, all of the grandchildren still get such a kick out of snuffing out the candles on the tree. Here is Emmett putting out a candle down low on the tree.

Logan taking a turn with a candle up high.

Ella having a turn.

Lia was one of the last to put out a few candles.

Since our family was not going to Priest Lake this year due to Matilda rehearsals starting the second week of break, we decided to do the cousin gift exchange on Christmas Eve instead. Here is Emmett opening up a Bluey car from Riley.

Ella got a Taylor Swift poster from Callie.

Logan was so excited to get an alarm clock from Trenton so that he now can know what time it is whenever he is in his bedroom.

Lia got some more Pura Vida earrings from Brynn.

On Christmas morning, I was able to take pictures of all of the four kids' Santa chairs before they came running downstairs. Here is Emmett's corner of the couch. His big gift was a mini, Pacman arcade game.

Ella's couch with her Nanea American Girl Doll that she has wanted for years.

Logan's gifts, including a jumbo, Magic set that he was so excited to get.

Lia's chair with some tiny gift bags containing different pictures that represented her big Christmas gift of the year--an HXP trip to Africa with her dear friend, Lacey.

Emmett and Ella running down the stairs once we gave them the green light.

Emmett and Logan checking out their Santa gifts for the first time. I just love the look of pure joy on Emmett's face as he grabs his smiley face slippers.