It was a wonderful Christmas at the farm. Our Watters family went to the Calgary Nativity pageant on December 23rd. I tried to take the kids on the 22nd but Chris was at his work Christmas movie (Star Wars)/dinner party and when I got to Heritage park, I just couldn't get three kids into their snow gear and down the hill to the pageant by myself. It is hard to carry a baby and tired 3 year old and herd a 5 year old while keeping them all warm on a cold winters night. I realized yet again how grateful I am for my husband. Caeleb was disappointed that we were not able to go that night so I promised we would come back the next evening and it was a good thing we did as Caeleb and Elva loved it. They were wide eyed and mesmerized the entire 15 minutes. Mary, on the other hand, joined in with the baby Jesus crying part and so I took her back to the van early. We got to the farm about 9:30 that night.
Christmas Eve day was fun. The Nelsons arrived and the kids made gingerbread houses and one haunted house (left over from Halloween). They went outside and fed the chickens and made a snowman (well, a pile of snowman as the snow was not sticky at all). A beautiful winter day. It was a cold, snowy day which was perfect for Christmas. Nathan joined us at 5:30 and we had our Christmas Eve nativity program. We are so grateful Mary has joined us this year so that she could be our adorable baby Jesus. Caeleb was Joseph, Elva was Mary (confusing I know), Sterling was the wise man and Liam was the Shepard. Camellia and I did the music and Papa was the narrator. Oh, and Nana did a great job on the costumes. The kids were looking forward to it all day and they did a great job playing their parts. Tis the reason for the season. I hope the kids always remember what Christmas is about. And I pray they can grow close to the Savior and consider him a best friend throughout their lives. The kids went to bed about 7:30 pm and were up at 6:30 am. Santa was sure good to them this year. Maybe a little too good. I think they were overwhelmed with all the gifts (except Mary - she was a little clueless as to what was going on). Caeleb wrote Santa for Jurassic World toys and Elva asked for Paw Patrol. (They both even got letters back from Santa a few days before Christmas). Jurassic World toys and paw patrol toys were what they got. Mary got some yummy treats she can eat once she is 6 months old (she is such a good baby - that didn't even bother her at all. te he he). We were spoiled by our family members. Thanks to everyone. All the kids got some home sewed matching pajamas from Nana Smith and myself. Caeleb and Elva got some themed pajamas (elephant and paw patrol) from Grandma Watters. We ate a yummy ham dinner and cherry pie and visited and played with toys all day. I love the relaxing time of Christmas. It was nice not having to work this Christmas.
The next week was a fairly relaxed week. Chris had to work but it was definitely an easier work week. We had a few friends over for New Years Eve (Ryan, Tammy and Luke Michelson, Lindsey and Michelle) We played games with the kids and ate lots of appetizers. Lindsey and I were the only ones who made it till midnight - the movie Hook got us there after the others either went home or to bed around 1000. I took the kids to the farm on New Years day for a skating party at the Muellers (they live down the road from my parents). Caeleb and Elva tried skating for the first time. They did well but the skates were really to small for Caeleb (I need to invest in some more) and it was a chilly day. Camellia and I were in skating lessons for several years as little girls and we loved it so maybe my kids will like to skate too.
Caeleb is back to school now and is enjoying that and Elva has just started weekly Angelina Ballerina lessons. She loves to dance and I had to choose between tap and ballet (she does look a bit like Shirely Temple with her light curly hair and so she would look adorable tap dancing but I think ballet is more of a fit for this year). Elva loved her first class and got right into prancing around with the other little girls.
Mary is all grins and doubles chins. Her hair is lightening a bit but is still a darkish brown and pretty full. She loves her jolly jumper (got her started on that at about 3 months). She is happy and will lay on the floor for up to an hour just looking around. She is starting to jabber away at times but is mostly quiet and is a good baby all around. (Well, she is not that much of a consistent sleeper but neither were the other two so I am used to not much sleep).
I teach Relief Society and Chris is still the ward membership clerk. Teaching Relief Society is a challenge for me as I can get my words and thoughts jumbled up at times but I know it will teach me a lot and I have a lot of experiences and life lessons that I can share with the class. I do love my Relief Society. I feel at home there.
Life is good! I feel so richly blessed. I have several goals for 2016 but I think the one at the top of the list is to strengthen my relationship with my Savior and with my family members.
