CHRISTMAS PARTIES AND CREED'S BLESSING

We normally have a Christmas Eve party at our house. But this year, we had our party on the 26th, because Megan and Todd were arriving that evening and would only be in Utah for 24 hours. Our party has several traditions each year. We always have good food with peppermint ice cream and chocolate sauce for dessert. Also, we sing "Must Be Santa" with pictures that the children take turns holding up to go with the words of the song. We read the "Left/Right" story and we all pass our "white elephant" gifts around in response to the left/right words in the story. We open the gifts from oldest to youngest so that the little ones can have the best choice of exchanging gifts if they see something they like. We look forward to the creativity of the gifts. We had some doosies this year.

Must be Santa Crew

Rudolph shared his antlers with Grandma Char and Cannon

I was lucky enough to get the Donny Osmond biography. Johnny decided to pose like Donny did on the cover.

Jocelyn fought to receive the picture of Dylan that he personally autographed--she proudly displays her cousin's picture in her room at BYU-Idaho (This is the only picture I got of Todd--sitting on the piano bench in the back)

Paisley loved her light up candy plane

The absolute best "White Elephant" was the Christmas ornament filled with LIVE worms that John ended up with. Believe me they SMELLED!

Rod's gift to Mindy was a kiss

After the party, Brady and Johnny relaxed on Brittney's shoulders.

Megan loves being an aunt. She tried to hold Creed and Paisley as much as she could in her short 24 hour visit.

We had a Wolthuis/Williams party on the 28th. Richard and Whitney drove from Heber City to spend some time with us. Bart and Judy, Jared, Ashley and their 3 boys, and Andrew also came. We were so excited to meet Jasper Felix Whitney visiting from New York for the holidays. We were so glad to have a Wolthuis gathering.

Whitney with almost 2 month old Jasper

Grandpa Richard, Whitney and Jasper

The two new mommies with the little cousins. Jasper and Creed are only 1 month apart in age.

We had Creed's blessing at our home on the 29th. Greg and Emily decided that they would have the blessing over the holidays when most of their siblings could be present. We were able to have Greg's parents, his brother, Mike, and his family, his brother, Steve, and Greg's sister, Liz, and her family for the blessing along with Emily's siblings, and Grandma Char. (minus Todd and Megan)

The men participating in the blessing with Creed

Greg pronounced a beautiful and powerful blessing upon Creed.

Grandma V, Emily, Creed, Grandma D, and Grandma Char