Our Christmas

This year we didn't travel to see any of the kids so it was just me and Fred. My Dad was here also, but he is a Scrooge so I didn't equate him into any of our plans. 

At work, I found two of my friends who would also be without family this year so we made plans.

Christmas Eve Fred and I attended a Christmas Service at the Dixie Convention Center.

We met Becky and Angel there. This is the Worship Band (I think that is what they called it)

The flow of the evening was very much one of our Christmas Sacrament meetings.

The pastor read from their Bible the story of Christ's birth and there was music performed in between.

About half of the songs were traditional Christmas songs, but they were sung in Pop style. 

Plus they added their own verses. They projected the words of every song on the screen so we could sing along. 

The band was good, but their singers were nothing special. Kind of like me singing. I can sing, but I'm not a soloist. These people were definitely not soloists. 

After the Service was over, we found Denny's was open so we went to grab some breakfast. We didn't have to time to eat beforehand and neither did Becky & Angel.

Christmas morning I was up early. So I decided to put a little more effort into the day.

I made this breakfast casserole. I'll tweak it a bit if I make it again.

I took pictures of all my decorating. Last year I didn't decorate at all. Absolutely nothing.

I wanted to do better this year, but I did keep VERY MINIMAL.

I put our little tree up and only hung ornaments that were made by our children and grandchildren. 

A few special ones like our First Christmas and all the First Christmas ornaments that we had for our children. It was just the right amount of decorations. 

 I've had that little Christmas Caroler ornament for probably 35 years. 

My sister gave it to me. Even though we are kind of estranged, I can't part with it. 

Believe me I went through all my Christmas decorations and got rid of a whole lot more.

 These are the Christmas cards from Corinne & Scott's family.

 I set up my two little nativities. I  have a big one, but I didn't want to use it this year. 

I also put up new pictures of Corinne and Scott's children. I need to print one of Shannon's.

 Even though we have spent a lot of money during the year and recently on big items, I still wanted to give Fred a few gifts and I really like to receive gifts too. 

I got online for Black Friday and Kohls had some pretty cool electronic items I thought would be fun for Fred. He assured me that he hadn't gotten me much. I don't care much. I just want to know that he thought of me and took the time to pick out something. I think that is how I've been feeling about gifts..... I am happy to know that the person set aside time to either look for a gift or searched through cards for just the right one. 

It means a lot to me. 

 We both got 4 gifts which included one from some friends.

 When I pulled out my 9x13 pans to make breakfast, I said to myself it was about time to get a new one. They are looking kind of worn out. 

Then we opened this gift from our friends and WOW!!! 

 I have had two wall collage frames for at least a year if not longer. I finally decided to fill them up and hang them. I already have one filled with pictures of Shannon's family from two years ago that I have never hung up, so realized this would be perfect. One collage for each family. I ordered a bunch of prints from Costco.

At the last moment, I decided to use one of the frames for all three families and give it to the Daly's for Christmas so they can hang it in their new apartment.

I think it turned out just right.

I ordered another collage frame and am reordering picture so I can finish with my original plan.

I think I will hang them in our bedroom.   

 Several weeks ago I asked Fred if his parents were using the digital frame we gave them about 10 years ago. He didn't think so and I asked if I could have it then. He said he would look for it.

Well he bought me my own. 

 Kohls had a great deal on these smart watches. I wanted to get it for Fred. He wears a digital display watch because he likes numbers and not a face watch. That's all good, but I wanted to have him step out of his comfort zone. Hopefully before too long he will set it up and actually wear it.

 I looked through the wireless chargers and did my best guess as to which would work for our Samsung products. Again - great deal on this. 

 Fred did good with this gift card to Sephora.

 At noon we met our friends from work at the theater to see The Grinch.

I'm sitting by Becky (also my hairdresser) and Janie is our HR Mgr.

Fred is sitting by Becky's husband Angel and that leaves Ron with Janie.

All of us (except Fred) work together. 

The movie was good. Becky laughed A LOT!!!

I found one of the very few restaurants open. Black Bear Diner.

The food was very good and the company was the BEST.

We skyped with Corinne first to watch everyone open the gifts we gave them. I don't know why we haven't done that in years past. We usually skype after the fact. Next was Scott and Jess. I really enjoyed sharing that time even if it wasn't in person. I'm so thankful Skype exists. It helps so much since none of our children live nearby. We skyped with Shannon after we got home from dinner. The kids gave us a tour of their gifts. They had already opened ours which was just fine. 

So it was a really nice Christmas this year. But I do want to be with one of the kids next year. 

It's much more enjoyable to be with your own family.