Christmas at the Garners!

My mother spent Christmas with us and I absolutely loved having her here.  I'm sure she went home thinking our family has some pretty crazy traditions because we do things a lot different then what I did when I was growing up!  That is what I like about it though.  Roger brought traditions from his family and I brought some from mine.  Then of course we came up with a few of our own. 

Here are some of the traditions: 

• I love that Roger reads the Christmas story every year. 
• Our children draw each others names and then we get to open those things up on Christmas Eve. 
• Grandma and Grandpa (Roger and I) always get the grandchildren pajama's every year.  Of course they have to open them up on Christmas Eve too. 
• Then the games begin!  Lynne and Bryan introduced us to the "Candy bar game"  but it has evolved into a gift exchange game.  It is a riot to play. 

I loved the gift that Stephanie gave her Dad.  She spent many hours turning Roger's mission slides into pictures and then she made a book for him.  It was very special and he really loves it.  The kids are always too good to us.  We received so many nice things.  Personally, my favorite for me was the temple shoes with enough money to buy a new temple dress.  I am still wearing the dress that Doris gave me many years ago and I was wanting a new dress!  I can't wait until I find the one I want.  I love my family and I love being with them.  I want to thank them for a wonderful Christmas!!  I am truely one of the most blest mothers in the World!

I better explain this picture of Roger. It was a game Stephanie came up with.  He had to shake the balls out of the box on his rear!  It was sooo funny to watch! 

The Kids in their new christmas pj's -- Mary, Joelle, Emma, and Addie are in the back.  Grant and Gabrielle are in front.

I think Christmas this year started when we went down for Lucas's baptism.  His baptism was so special to me.  I have been to many baptisms but Lucas is the first grandchild to be baptised and it meant a lot to me to be able to be there. It made me very happy to see how important it was to Lucas too.  He is a wonderful grandson and I love him very much. After he was baptized we went out to dinner then we went to Salt Lake to see Temple Square.  It was VERY crowded but it didn't bother me.  I enjoyed being there with Craig, and Lynne's family and with Denise, Stephanie and Roger.  I really loved it.  It was Stephanie's idea and I'm so glad she thought of it.