Christmas Breakfast and Dinner with the Egan Family

It was a busy but relaxing day. Grandma and Grandpa Cameron came for the customary breakfast. This year I made sausage/egg casserole with mufins and juice. We opened presents from G&G and they opened gifts as well. We ate early as we were having Grandma and Grandpa Drew for dinner at 2PM. Aunt Ellouise didn't make it in time for breakfast, but she came for dinner. Grandma and Grandpa Drew,Elizabeth, David and Henry arrived a little late, which was fine by me, since my oven had quit working for a time. The turkey was done, but I had other things to cook in the oven. They had trauma at home themselves, when Dad cooked the ham with the plastic covering still on. He had to clean the oven before they came. We had a huge feast, and we all even fit around my enormus dining room table! It was a nice day. The first we've stayed home all Christmas Day without going out.
The pictures are out of order, but here are Grandma and Grandpa Cameron. I had told them to come early because we were going to eat breakfast at 9AM, but when they weren't here by 8:45 I called. Grandma got confused and thought I said to come at 9:00. It all worked out and we had a nice visit and yummy food!!
The Egan clan with Grandpa Drew after dinner.

Christmas Day

Jenny loves getting church books for Christmas!!
Jon with Dad wearing his new lettermans jacket
Josh aka Santa's helper and chemistry set (watch out!)

CHRISTMAS EVE

Our Christmas Eve sounds alot like yours. We went to church and heard our beautiful choir sing the Christmas story. I enjoy it even more because Richard and Jon were singing in the choir. I usually do too, but my voice has not been up to singing since I've had 3 colds since early November. Anyway, the audience also participated by singing at different times with the choir. It was very moving and got me teary eyed as well, then I gave the closing prayer, barely hanging on to keep my composure. After church the kids made our usual neighborly calls to deliver plates of goodies for friends and neighbors (for Grandma Cameron too.) Around 4:00 we went to Art and Marilyns (Richards sister) for our annual Christmas Eve activities. Art and Marilyn have had us join their family for about 10 years now.We ate tacos, played out the nativity story and sang Silent Night, decorated Gingerbread houses and the kids exchanged gifts. Most years Santa also makes an appearance, but this year was waylaid by troubles at the North Pole. On our way home, we drove around in the pouring rain to see the lights in our neighborhood. It was a very busy day!!

Feeling the Spirit of Christmas

The multipurpose room made to look like a home with hundreds of nativities.

Festival of Nativities

A traditional part of our Christmas time is the annual Festival of Nativities our Stake puts on. This year was as spectacular as ever. Not only do we adorn the cultural hall with hundreds of nativities from around the world, the entire church is transformed into Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and scenes from home.
The Primary room is turned into Bethlehem with a huge stable, complete with hay, a manger and baby Jesus. The ceiling is transformed into a starry night and the walls adorned with scenes of old. People from throughtout the community can bring their children here to dress their children as shepherds, wise men, Joseph and Mary and pose in front of the stable. There are Christmas trees from each ward full of ornaments that each primary child has hand crafted. Lights twinkle as the children play with hands on nativities and puzzles acting out what might have happened that special night in Bethlehem.
The childrens nursery room was turned into a carpenters workshop with activities making little mangers complete with baby Jesus, coloring pages of nativity scenes, and other things. The room was filled with the smells of fresh cut pine and a real carpenter demonstrated how to sculpt with wood. The walls and ceiling again were covered to resemble Jerusalem. The chapel is filled with music throughout the 3 day display of nativities from school choral groups, ward choirs, and other talented individuals willing to share their talents. On the final day, a live nativity scene is played outside with a program and music for those brave enough to withstand the cold temperatures. (I was a wimp) It's a great way to begin the Christmas season.
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Josh: The Engineer

Joshua is always so creative. Here he is holding a model he built of the Tsunami that resulted from the eruption of the volcano Krakatoa. He's fascinated by weather: hurricaines, tornadoes, floods,....volcanoes, tsunamis, earthquakes and generally anything having to do with science. The model shows a rolling wave headed to the shore. Josh designed and did the entire thing, except cutting out the boards.
Last year he made an Incan bridge and a volcano found on Mars.
I had some good news yesterday. At my Weight Watchers weigh in I lost 2.6 lbs. over the holiday........that brings my total weight loss past 10 lbs!! It really hasn't been terribly hard even though Thanksgiving is a big eating day. I was thrilled!! It's a great diet because I can eat anything I want....but I'm learning to eat better.
More good news.....Jon learned today he was selected for ALL-STATE band. It will be in Seattle the last week in March. His lips will be sore for sure. He's doing pit Orchestra for the school musical....South Pacific started rehearsals this week......and he just got his Solo and Ensemble music. He's doing a solo and probably several ensembles like last year. Luckily he won't get the All State music until January.