Since the Turpins moved to Iowa, we have to fill our Christmas Day that we would traditionally spend with them. (Notice Grandma and Grandpa we are keeping it open for when you come home! :) ) Last year we made tamales – very yummy! This year Jason made sushi and I made Chocolate Celebration Cake. SO yummy! Jason made four different rolls. They were so good.
Yes, I am holding Miss Bella in that picture – we had so much fun with her on Christmas Day!
For our Christmas Eve Gathering, we do a few little skits. This year our family did a puppet show. Here we are making the puppets.
It was a fun day. We had to make sure Bella got included! We brought her into the party after everybody ate. I love this picture! The kids are dancing and singing with Beth - “I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas!”. It was on the radio!
Some great pictures from the evening:
The Balls/Auble masterpiece was “Jingle Bells” – played by Nathan on the piano with handbells by the rest of the group. Then Mandy played “Jolly Ole Saint Nicholas.” I have no picture, because I was taking pictures for them on Kathie’s camera. For the Leavitt contribution, Katherine read us the story of the candy cane. Then the Turpins got a little carried away. We did a puppet show of the Nativity, then Jessi wanted to read the story about the Wise Men, then we watched Disney’s “Prep and Landing.” We had fun!
I had to include this picture.
After all it is really all about the birth of one very special baby. :)
And then onto presents and new PJ’s.
We had more than enough food, as usual. We had appetizers and dinner and too much dessert. The big hit of the night, though, was the lobster bisque – imagine chunks of lobster floating in butter and cream and you are pretty much there. It was so yummy! I love this picture – look at Becca’s face! :) Beth stayed afterwards and watched Lizzy’s newest Barbie movie with her. Thanks Beth!
Dallas was able to stop in.
We loved seeing you Dallas!
