* GRANDPA & GRANDMA BENNETT *
Michael and I hosted a dinner for Dad & Debbie and the family for our Christmas celebration.
We decided that Christmas Day is just too short to fit all of the multiple activities into so we spread them out a little bit this year. It was so nice to spend Sunday with them, eat a "Christmas feast" and open presents.
* GRANDMA *
The next night, Monday, Kathy hosted "Christmas" at her beautiful condo for the family.
We had another fun night of opening presents, eating good food, and spending time together. It really is so great that all the family is so close. We love getting together and we feel so fortunate to have Lance (and soon Afton) grow up surrounded by so many people who love him.
* NANA & PAPA *
Christmas Eve was really fun and we spent the evening with my family the Coveys.
We had the "Nativity" and read Luke 2 (like we do every year) and this year was especially great because Collette created an amazing little book that outlined Luke 2 and inserted all the Christmas songs in the perfect places. It made our little "Nativity" go so smoothly and it was so fun.
During the Nativity Lance kept going to the baby Jesus doll to take it from Collette (Mary) so he could hold it. He sat on the floor and rocked back and forth while he sang Rock-A-Bye-Baby. It was so adorable!!! I think that he really will be a great big brother. (He was also "break dancing" while we sang the carols... just a funny side note!)
We just love spending time with our family! Lance and Johnny boy are such great friends and it so fun to see them love each other! I love how the boys go from sitting and saying "cheese" to a forced kiss on the cheek, to a full on body slam! I'm sure when they get older they will have so much fun wrestling, exploring the great outdoors, and leading the way for their little siblings! =)
And then, of course, SANTA CAME! All dressed up in this red attire and Christmas bells he came and brought presents to everyone! He brought a Teddy Ruxpin for Little Johnny and Lance (really fun because that little talking bear came out in the 80's when Uncle Johnny and I were kids), he brought the guys DVD's and the girls beautiful bracelets that have the words faith, hope, love... on them.. They are so adorable.
We also had a wonderful Christmas Eve Dinner and played BINGO for really great prizes!!! It was really, really fun and although I didn't win one game (pretty pathetic I know) it was a ton of fun and I hope that this tradition carries on throughout the years. It was really great to hang out with my family and the prizes were very appealing! DVD's, mascara, and $25 gift cards to awesome restaurants!!! Wow! Thanks Dad and Mom for being so fun and generous!
Michael and I decided that we had better not have the sleep-over that night because we knew that if we didn't we really wouldn't be getting any "sleep." So, we stayed late and went to bed, then got up early and went back over to see if Santa Clause came! And he DID! We all opened presents and had a wonderful morning. We are so blessed.
After presents and Papa and Nana's house we had breakfast with Grandma at her condo and then off to Papa and Grandma Covey's house for the big brunch and hang-out with all the Covey's. Lots of people and lots of fun.
At Grandma's Condo Michael and Lance "Sumo Wrestled." Lance was strutting around holding his shirt up with his chin to show off his 6-pack and insisted that Michael do the same. Then he got pillows and wanted to belly-bump and wrestle... 2 year olds are so creative!
Later that night after a nice long nap we got back together with the Coveys at their church and played basketball! Lance loved watching everyone run around (with of course me being the cheerleader) and did a great impersonation of me with my large tummy... he kept putting the football under his shirt and saying, "Yook Mommy! Yook! (Look Mommy, Look!). He was very excited to see that he could look like me!... only 2 more days... horray!
Although the Christmas holiday is super busy and we hardly have time to sleep I wouldn't change it. I feel so blessed that we have so much family who love and support us and that we get to be so close to them. All the parties and activities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I would much rather have all the craziness than not have loved one's near by. We love all of our family and are so grateful for you in our lives. Thank you for all of your prayers and love. We love you.
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