It was the week of Christmas! We had no school this week so we got to celebrate all week and finish Christmas tasks and celebrate two birthdays and be together lots and lots!!

Tuesday was Megan's birthday! The extended Gerber family had a big week planned with activities throughout the day all week long. We managed to grab a few hours with them on this big day, though! We met at a big Chinese buffet at 11:30. We had fun talking and trying different foods and we gave Meg her big present: a violin! We've always wanted to give her one and are so excited that we finally could! Afterwards, we all browsed Barnes and Noble looking at books--a favorite family activity! We love that girl, Megan, and are so glad that we got to celebrate her birthday!

Tuesday evening McKay had a Christmas concert in the Angelus Theatre in Spanish Fork. It was so fun! He and his band sang Christmas songs as well as others with special meaning. It was great fun. We even sang "Happy Birthday" to Megan--who was there with all the Gerbers!

Wednesday was Kevin's birthday! Cali, Chey, Beth, Ben, and I played Catan with Kevin in the early afternoon. He won! It was great fun. Afterwards, Kevin and I went out and he picked out some new pants and new shoes and we had dinner together at Red Robin. Sarah and McKay and Grandma and Grandpa came over later that night for cheesecake!

Friday was Christmas Eve! Megan and Ammon were couldn't come, but Sarah and McKay joined us for candlelight dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Gazdik. We had a lovely clam chowder dinner. Then the kids made a skit and Savannah danced to "Stretchy Pants." Then the kids performed the nativity while Kevin read it from the scriptures, and we played the "bells." We came upstairs for performances of Christmas songs on instruments: Ben and McKay played guitar, Chey, Cali, and Grandma played piano, and Beth sang and played on the ukulele. We finished by opening presents and taking pictures. It was beautiful and traditional and lovely to be there.

That night, Sarah and Megan and Ammon came to spend the night at our house. We watched, "It's a Wonderful Life," before bed.

Saturday was Christmas Day! The kids came into our room to sing us awake at 7:00. We opened presents from Santa, then dad made us French toast and Sarah went to pick up McKay who started our family present opening with a rousing rendition of "Christmas Everyday." We took turns opening our presents one by one and it was still over much too quickly. The last present was a large box from Savannah. Inside were 11 big nerf guns already loaded. No prodding was needed. Everyone grabbed a gun and started shooting! So, we ended with a bang!

My favorite present was from Cali!

For the rest of the day we played games. Dad and Ben played with the new drone. Beth and Ben went around the block several times on their new scooters. For dinner, Grandma and Grandpa came over for a nice ham dinner complete with the beautiful new silverware they gave us for Christmas! It was a lovely, lovely day.

We are so grateful for the gift of our savior, Jesus Christ. Following Him has brought me to the great joy I feel at this season and throughout the year. I hope we can all find more ways to let Him into our lives!

Merry Christmas!