Christmas Day

John, who we adopted about 18 years ago into our family drove in from L.A. to spend the holiday with us. Getting in Christmas Eve night, he tries to remind Collin of who he is.

Flowers from our adopted grandpa, John. Thanks John, they really added to
bringing the smell and beauty of Christmas into the home!



This year was an extra special Christmas because we had Collin with us and because we got to go to church, reminding us of the true meaning of the holiday.

We started our morning with a big breakfast. Grandma, grandpa, John (adopted grandpa),
Uncle Steve, Aunt Jessica, cousins Cory, Noah and Talys, Aunt Misty and the
missionaries all joined us for a hot meal before church.

Grandpa is playing with Collin (which is rare).

Gift opening was a room full of colorful festive paper with eight adults and
four children unwrapping their Christmas surprises.

My grandma used to delight in the number of Christmas cards she received each year. It would somehow verify how loved she was by her family. I remember each Christmas how she would count all her cards and make sure you knew how many she had, and they usually exceeded 200. Well, I don't have nearly that. Just reaching 40 this year. I'm thankful for all the friends and family who thought to send us one, we really enjoyed reading them and seeing the pictures. I am also thankful that I don't use them to gauge who loves us. For all those who didn't get a card out, we still love you!

A few of the many ornaments we added to our tree this year.

This one we picked up from a Denver Christmas store. It reminded
me of a lesson I had taught in Young Womens.

This is a hand drawn wood jingle bell picked up at the gift shop in the Silver Falls
National Park where we did some hiking earlier this year.

Every year I add an ornament that is either home made or it depicts something we
lived through that year. This is our 2011 ornament, Collin's footprint.

Some of our decorations that I especially enjoyed this year.

Our favorite family gift. Thank you John!

Most creative gift for Collin. His mission fund is started. Thank you aunt Cheryl!

We had such a great Christmas, thank you everyone for all the wonderful gifts!