Merry Christmas!

When you have an older family like ours, no one wakes up early intentionally on Christmas... unless you have 9:30am church. Whenever I visit my parents, I always go to church. It's mostly because they like me going with them, but it's also me wanting to be reminded of growing up and going to the church with the family.

I laid in bed this morning listening to everyone get ready. It's one of my favorite things to do. My mother puts on church music and constantly yells at us for to wake up and get ready. I listened to the commotion for about 45 minutes before deciding to get up. Sunday morning sounds at home are something I will always enjoy hearing.

After Mormon church, Russell had to go with Jennie to her Wesleyan church. I don't know if it started as a sarcastic joke, but Mom and Dad wanted to go. I thought it would be an interesting experience so I also went. It was actually very nice and similar to the church I go to in Salt Lake. Compared to other Christian denominations, Mormon sacrament meeting is pretty boring. I enjoyed the Wesleyan service more than the Mormon service I went to this morning.

When we came come, the younger boys wanted to open presents. I wanted to make sure we got some pictures in before wrapping paper covered the floor. As a joke, I got my brothers together with our coats on.

Ben, Erik, Russell, and me.

Erik opened one of his presents early. It was a pack of undershirts so I laughed at him.

Ben

Erik

Russell

Jesse

Dad & Mom

Our Nuclear Family

I thought this pictures was too cute to be excluded.

After taking the above pictures, we were allowed to open our presents... well, everyone was allowed to open their presents. Since I only wanted money for my plane ticket to New York, I sat there watching others opening presents. I told Dad that I now know why Christmas Day is a disappointment for him. Dad doesn't really get anything for Christmas, so it's just another day.

I did get some Trident gum and Dad got some socks.

Once the presents were all open, we all lounged around the house. Dad went into the family room to watch TV (something he almost never gets to do). We eventually joined him to watch 4 episodes of Firefly.

Ricky spent the day hovering around a family member--it was like she didn't want to be alone.

Ricky and Dad.

As is tradition, everyone helped to prepare for Christmas dinner. My brothers and I peeled and cut potatoes. It was actually fun because we rapped as we did it and even turned the cutting and peeling into a game (Erik and me versus Russell and Ben).

We all sat down for a really good roast and mashed potatoes dinner. I have loved and will continue to love Sunday/Christmas dinners.

December cover of W magazine.

The only thing that was missing was a seat for Brian. We've never spent a Christmas together in the last three years that we've been together. I really wish he could have come out to spend Christmas with us, even if it were only a few days. Someday we'll be together for Christmas and it will be really special.