Christmas Eve is my favorite part of Christmas. It is a time of family gathering and the sharing love and food and of course, the Christmas story from Luke 2. 
The table was set, the house looked festive and all was ready for the family to arrive. 
We began with a wonderful dinner contributed by all the Nielson women. They are all such good cooks. 
The children were excited and happy. 
After dinner we convened in the family room where the children and those they drafted into action retold the Christmas Story. It was funny and got a bit wild so we had to calm everyone down with the video of Luke 2 and everyone was reverent. They surprised me at how quiet they were.
John and Chris D. were very good sports as you can see.
Christmas morning Chris and David and I went to Brett and Claudia's. They had been up early and had opened their gifts and were in their cute jammies when we arrived. Claudia had some fresh out of the oven cinnamon rolls that we all loved. We brought two big boxes for them to open. When they picked them up Matthew indicated that they had enough board games. 
As the wrappers came off, the screaming and the gleefully dancing and jumping exceeded all our expectations. I wish I had made a movie of it but if you want to experience it for yourself you'll have to call Chris who recorded it on his camera.I don't think we'll ever top that one. Below is the calm after the storm of happiness.
We left the Nielson household to go to the next Nielson household. Here we opened presents with John, Alison, Abby, Chris and Chris and Lindsay. Dad got the fixins for the famous Cincinnati 5 way Chili! Earlier Alison had made us a delicious lunch which we enthusiastically enjoyed.
This family got a Wii system so everybody was happy playing games all afternoon. 
It was a wonderful day with wonderful people that we love so much. Thanks everyone for being so great. We love you all.
After the program I took Sarah and Katherine to see my 95 year old friend who was not able to come. We took a little program to her. When she saw Katherine's violin she asked to play it. She loved the girls. Sarah sang Silent Night and Katherine played Away in a Manger. After they played for her she gave them the good advice to always keep playing and singing and to always have a good teacher. I later took Matthew and Joseph to sing for her and others. She gave Matthew and Joseph the advice to always be good and to do good. "Goodness is greatness" she said. 
All the children spread their special kind of love to the residents. We will certainly ask for an encore as all the residents were delighted and very complimentary to them all. Thank you Brett, Claudia and family, for sharing yourselves so wonderfully with us all. Merry Christmas to all.
Actually, John is the best, most enthusiastic fan. He was so happy until the sad, pathetic ending and the endless commercials and special presentations that delayed the game endlessly.
We're pretty bundled up so we didn't get cold. A little hot chocolate helped to warm us and people kept handing us food that they were too full to finish. That was a plus.
This darling little cougar sat right in front of us. She was great entertainment. So cute I had to take a picture. She's wearing a helmet under that hat. It reminded me of Eliza Jane. 
Ross and Jean hosted us in their lovely home again. It was great to have some time with them too. How beautiful was the weather during the day! Surprise. How lovely their home.
John, Thanks for the memories. We had a great time! (:
Chris had helpers to open his presents and he also authorized them as the official thank you huggers. He knows how to make a party happen!
Abby had memorized the entire poem of THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. We gathered in the family room and Claudia sat beside her for reassurance but she gave it all from memory. It was great.
