This was to be our first Christmas alone. We've always had children home with us before--even if they were away at college, they always managed to get home for a day or two. Alicia decided we should not have to be alone on Christmas Eve or Christmas, so she and Erik spent the night. We watched "Muppet Christmas Carol" in the evening, and then Erik and Alicia made a delicious breakfast for us in the morning. My favorite part was that they went to church with us as well. Parents love to show off their children and spouses.
We opened gifts after church. This is Alan's "Chicken Dance" chicken.
Alan and I tried to get a formal Christmas picture in front of the tree, but I guess we're taller than the tree!
Erik left at 1:00 to work for the afternoon. Alicia got in the car to go with him, and then headed back into the house. When I asked if she had forgotten something, she said she was staying to watch "North and South." We had planned for her to stay in the afternoon and watch it, but then the spouses got permission to go into work with the employees. Erik knew how much Alicia wanted to watch the movie with me, so he graciously said he'd be okay at work if she wanted to stay. Here we are, hunkered down in the Christmas blanket ready for one of our favorite activities--watching a period drama.
We got two hours of the movie completed and it was time to go over the river and through the woods for our annual Christmas get-together at Grandma Hodges' house. Mom always works hard to make this a yummy gathering. I love the ribbon sandwiches.
For once I brought my camera and got some pictures of the extended family. I was so happy to have Aunt Brenda there. She is between chemo treatments.
I guess Mark was banished to sit with the stuffed animals. Halle is sitting with the "big girls," and was taking pictures like crazy with her own personal camera.
Alicia found the fluffiest blanket in the room and was soon wrapped up in it. She made the exciting announcement (ta da) that she and Erik are expecting a baby at the end of July. I think she took everyone by surprise.
It was fun to see Mark, and Austin who is home from college.
Andy and Morgan are also expecting a baby this summer. Blake and Taylor are enjoying their first Christmas together. (Mike and Gayle, Jeff and Stana were also there, but their pictures turned out blurry.)
Emily and Dawson (aka Spiderman) were here from Canada. Shawn and Alec came too, but they were resting at Uncle Mike and Aunt Gayle's.
We watched another hour of North and South when we got home, and then Alicia decided she'd better get to Provo and spend some quality Christmas time with her husband--even if it was at his work. We took Alicia to Provo, and when we got home at 9 p.m., we were finally empty nesters for an hour. I'm so glad Alicia and Erik could spend some time with us!
Just a note about nativities. I know some nativity scenes have exotic animals in them, like this one with its giraffes, roosters, and zebras. We even have one nativity with a musk ox.
But have you ever seen one with a bear? Neither Camden nor Maris will admit they made the addition. They wondered if Emmaline might have done it. Poor Emmaline, being accused of rearranging nativity scenes from Minnesota!
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