Christmas with the Van Ormans 2023

 With Debbie the only kid home, Elise took pity and invited all of us to celebrate with her family.  I love Christmas Eve on Sunday and we got to enjoy attending sacrament meeting and having a day that was not work or shopping but lots of family time.

We enjoyed a delicious meal of roast and potatoes . . .

Played card games,

Came home to a quiet house while Debbie slept with the kids in their fort. We got called back for Christmas morning by 6:15.  So many excited kids and now Debbie is last.  Then Jack, Nellie, Josh, Lucy, and Rae.

My baby still enjoying my lap.  I am so grateful to share all this fun with some of my favorite people.

Rae and Debbie

A bounty of gifts.

And this sweet family coming to enjoy time with us, or a change to take a nap. They are so cute.

Yes come

 I got to attend Savior of the World with some of my favorite people for the first time in a few years.  I didn't realize how much I have missed this performance and how much it feeds my soul. It prepares my heart to welcome Christmas but mostly to welcome Christ.

Milt, me, Debbie

Come, Lord Jesus Come.  I want him. I need him.  I miss him and am trying to figure out how He can be my friend.  How can I develop a relationship with him, my Savior?  I experienced a special moment as the shepherds began declaring the good news, Unto you is born this day a Savior which is Christ the Lord,  My heart opened as I joined in the words Come, Lord Jesus. I pray that he feels welcome in my life and in my heart.  

Anjolee, Debbie, Milt, me, Kianna, Isaac

Family Christmas parties

We enjoyed a just kids Christmas Party Friday night.  We had Cincinnati chili, original Grinch movie, Christmas stories  of  Snowmen at Night, and Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree. Decorating of mugs with permanent markers (we then bake them to set it), orange julius, and Arthur's Christmas movie.  It was a lot of fun.

The pictures came in an odd order and thats okay.

Gideon

Henry

Samuel

Maddie, Debbie, Thomas

Josh

Sunday we enjoyed a special sacrament meeting and then a progressive dinner where we had appetizers at Peter and Rachel's, salad at Elise and John's, main dish at my house, and dessert at Porter's.  We walked from house to house. The kids had a new experience for dinner.  We then acted out the nativity, had each family do a talent, opened gifts and played games like Don't Break the Ice and Uno Attack.  It was a lot of fun for all.

Live Nativity in Fountain Green

Thanksgiving weekend

We start our weekend making pies.  This year we made cherry, pumpkin, carmel, pecan, lemon cheesecake, and banana cream.  

Debbie's carmel cream pie

Erica's first pie (cherry)  We knew she would love the creative, artistic part.

 We enjoyed our pie morning at Jay and Lauri's house.  Still lots of fun after all these years.

 Debbie, Simeon, and I had fun decorating the dinner table.  With only 5 of us we had time a room to do things a little bit extra nice.  We even got to enjoy a roast turkey this year. We will be back to BBQ turkey next year and a whole house full of love and people.

 We got to spend some time at Grandma and Grandpa's home.  It was a treat to find the boys with Grandpa showing them cars on his phone while sitting on the counter.  We enjoyed dinner together, played Jokers and Pegs, taught them about When Calls the Heart on Netflix.

 Then we headed downtown to see Savior of the World.  Once again I just love the experience I have every time we go.  Dane and Erica met us there and enjoyed it too.

 Temple square lights!  It was super crowded. We didn't realize it was the night the turn on the lights for the first time of the season.  It was beautiful

Saturday we headed up the mountain for Christmas trees.  It was warm and dry and so easy to wander around the mountain side.

 Emily, Ella and Brian joined us and found a perfect tree.

 my might men hunting and dragging out the Christmas tree.

 and Isaac with Simeon's help caught this fish with their bare hands.  Quite the accomplishment.

 Now the real fun begins as it all comes together in a festive frenzy of decorating and watching Christmas movies like the Santa Clause 2 and Elf.