What a day.
I'm exhausted, but extremely fulfilled.
We just had our whole family together from about 2:00 this afternoon til about 8:00 p.m.
We had told them we would make the meat and potatoes and they were to bring the 'extras'. They didn't let us down, we ate like kings.
After we ate, we got the dirty dishes taken care of, the kids changed, and brought out the gifts. We had a lot of fun seeing what everyone got.
Then, when that died down, we told them we had thought about not wanting the gifts to be the central theme of Christmas....not what was remembered down the road 6 months. So we told them we wanted to bless each of them and (unknowingly for Dan) I started with him. I told them that when my sister passed away and we had her memorial service, things were said about her that I bet she didn't know and had never heard. I didn't want to wait until some sad occassion occured and then tell family members what I thought of them.
So, I started with Dan and told them what kind of father they had....from being a man of integrity to trustworthy, to unselfish. Then encouraged them to add any thoughts and feelings they had. They got into the spirit of it right away and said so many kind things to him. Some of it surprised him, all of it warmed his heart.
Then we went to Dave and Gina and focused our attention and comments on them.
Then we did the same to Seth and Mindi.
Then we did it for Daniel and Laina also.
When we got done with them they said, "Let's do Mom now." I tried to quick change the subject and get a game started but they weren't so easily deterred!
It was awesome. I loved hearing them tell each other what they admired and appreciated about each other!
Well, once that was over, we got snacks - grazed awhile, then started playing Buzz Word...a new game we got this year.
After that, we played Pictionary Man. The kids like playing that one cos they get to take a turn drawing too.
After we tired of games we grazed again.
Gina and Mindi both had done boatloads of baking and didn't disappoint. We had a huge spread of goodies.
When they all leave, we are tired, but oh so grateful, thankful, blessed.
We love having them all under one roof.
We've been abundantly blessed.
Hope you had a wonderful holiday.
Here are a few pictures of the day.
Jaz was photographer for awhile
Mindi and Nate, Rayna jumping on the chair in the background!
Jaz and Rayna - Jaz didn't mind being behind the camera, but boy she did NOT want to have her picture taken!
Seth and Nate playing with his new train
Not quite sure what caught Daniel and Laina's attention....
4/5th's of the Miller family
There they all are. Jaz looks a bit sad, doesn't she?
She wasn't feeling up to par today - had a sore throat.
No food on their plates, but they are still ready to go!
Levi and Gideon had fallen asleep on the way over, so took Levi awhile to get his speed up again.
Hmmmmm, what caption should I put on this one?
Handing presents out
He loves Toy Story!
Gina and Gideon both enjoying a gift.
Ok, time to get ready for the week.
Have a full week ahead:
Work Monday and Wednesday....company Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
We gave Kayla and Jazmyn sewing machines (older ones) for Christmas with coupons for sewing lessons. I start the first one on Tuesday, can't wait!
Wednesday, while the girls are off school, we are all going bowling. That should prove to be interesting. We haven't done that in several years. None of us are great, we have a lot of laughs. Will be a fun time "bonding" as Kayla would jest!
Merry Christmas!
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