Feliz Navidad

I hope I spelled that right. Anyway, we were lucky to be hosted by Tawna and Nathan this year for Christmas dinner. She organized and planned the whole thing and just told us what to bring. She hosts about 6 luncheons a year for about 120 people as the PTA Teacher Appreciation Chair and does a great job. Her tree in the pic above was so much fun this year. She was one of the hosts for her ward RS Christmas Progressive Dinner and she had her house looking so cute. No, it was really beautiful. We put envelopes all over her tree for the grandkids to open when the time came.

She and Nathan planned the Mexican Food Menu for us:

Appetizers
Mexican Lasagna
Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
Tamales, Refried Beans, huge flour tortillas (all from a little place in Phoenix called Carolina's)
Guacamole and other important garnishes
Nana's homemade salsa
Chips
Dessert
Drinks

It was quite a spread. She set pretty tables and even had a kid friendly table and chairs outside on the patio for the kids to enjoy.




Everyone got there and just jumped in with last minute prep. Well, there was a little "Let's figure out these things for our kids” time with R.B. and Nathan.




Dinner was enjoyed by all as seen in the pics below. We sat around afterward and opened a few gifts, enjoyed each other's company and listened to the Happy Noise of the kids playing. Most of it was happy anyway. We gave most of our grandkids a weekend with us at the cabin for their gift. They will come with us by two's to enjoy doing some projects and hanging out here with us. We are looking forward to that. We gave the 3 littlest guys some plate painting time as they were too young to participate in that the year the rest of them did. Chance, Aden and Carson will making customized dishes to add to their families collection. Lauren got a beautiful jeweled box that she really loves. I had bought some star shaped boxes for a "Twelve Days" series a few years ago. I had it out on the end table at the cabin and she just couldn't leave it alone. She thought it was the most beautiful thing ever. I gave it to her for Christmas and she was thrilled. Emmy just got hugs and kisses this year. Next year she will love opening gifts, but this year she had more fun watching everyone and everything else.








Tawna and Nathan gave each one of us an invitation to the dinner they plan for all the adults in January or February. Last year was the first annual, and now the second annual is coming up. We all look forward to that night of fun. They work really hard to ensure the food is excellent and the evening awesome. Can't wait.

We got some really nice things from our kids this year and I hope they know how much we love and appreciate them always. I know every year we all say, "Don't expect much this year, we are broke!" This year was the year that was true for most of us. It just doesn't matter. The Christmas season was the best, the time we spent together priceless and the memories will live on forever. What else could possibly matter? It was much easier to keep Christ at the forefront as He should be. 'Nuff said.