What I love about Christmas

In no particular order (mainly because I can't quite figure out how to move pics yet on this blog)these are the reasons I love Christmas.

I love the music, the past few years, we have practically worn out 259 and Josh Groban' s Christmas CD's.

I love the lights, every year we go driving around to see some of our favorite lights, like the house on Harris and Hermosa Vista that plays music as the lights flash.

I love shopping for my family. As my kids have gotten older, Christmas is more fun for me. I love trying to get them the perfect gift, keeping in mind that I'm a bit cheap, which makes it a fun challenge.

I love all the Christmas specials on TV. Who doesn't love the classics like the Grinch, Rudolph and Charlie Brown, as well as the more recent Polar Express. I also love watching Home Alone, though it is not technically a Christmas movie, just set during the holidays. Who can resist laughing out loud when Kevin sabotages the bad guys.

I love the pj's the kids get from Grandma Platt. It is no surprise that they are going to get them each year, but the surprise is what they are going to look like. This year, Koe offered a treat to the grandchild that got the pin. Though Cyndi swore that no one would get one this year, Parker had a pin in the back of his pj's - he was the big winner! Also, it is fun to hear why the kids are special to their grandparents and then to hear why their grandparents are special to them.

I love decorating the tree. This year we finally broke down and got ourselves a fake tree. It was nice having it up for the whole month instead of having to wait til mid Dec. so our tree wouldn't die. It cracks me up watching the kids each subconsciously pick their spot on the tree to put all their ornaments. No matter how many times we tell them to spread them out and look for a hole, they each have their one spot they are drawn to. Some day, I'll have a perfect tree, but I wouldn't trade what we're doing now for anything!

I loved our ward party this year, and the service gift exchange our ward took part in. Each family picked one or two families off the Christmas tree and did service for them. It was fun having our kids involved in thinking of ways to serve others around us.

I love baking for family and friends. One day, I made about 100 sugar cookies and a few pans of yummy mint brownies.




I love Christmas morning watching the kids' expressions as they open their loot.

I love all the family parties and the spirit and fun being with the people I love most. I especially like the white elephant gift exchange on Christmas night at my parents, always a surprise and always tons of laughter.

I love that Jeremy has extra time off around the holidays and that we get to see him more.

I love the Christmas program the sunday before church. Linda Peterson did such a fantastic job with the music. I love (and envy a bit) great singers.

I love doing the nativity and trying to hopefully teach my kids the true meaning of Christmas. When the kids dress up in costumes and pretend to go visit baby Jesus, they probably aren't focused on what it means, but I hope it has planted a seed for them for the future.




I love my Savior and his humble birth. I love His example of goodness and service and love, and everyday, I hope I can be a little more like Him.