Celebrating Christmas

Our Christmas was blessed this year by the kindness of friends inviting us to join their families in celebration.

On Christmas Eve we went to Jake and Amy Malouf's home for a mideastern feast, a musical recital by the children in the four families participating, and a reenactment of the nativity. We enjoyed our time with Jake and Amy, Matt and Erica, Jake's parents visiting from Utah, and the Engebretsens. I was especially pleased to watch the recital because two of my piano students were performing--Emma Engebretsen and Abi Malouf. The Maloufs were so gracious to invite us to join them, and they really made us feel comfortable while we were in their home. Christmas week was a big week for our family, and I was especially longing for family. Their hospitality was just what I needed.

As for the nativity--I was a photographer, and Sam and David were sheep.

Here is David with his pal, Barrett. Barret's parents, Matt & Erica, were our good friends in our Pocatello ward before we moved to Anchorage. We were thrilled when they moved their family to Anchorage just in time for Barrett to be born eight days before David. (Not a great picture--but the boys sure are cute!)

On Christmas morning we began the day with our traditional homemade orange rolls. Absolutely melt in your mouth declicious, if I do say so myself. We opened gifts, talked to both sides of our family, tried out our new toys, and enjoyed a quiet afternoon. Dinner was prime rib with twice baked potatoes--and it was wonderfully delicious.

Christmas night we went to our friends' home for crepes and good company. Keith and Cathie Coombs moved to the outskirts of town and have a beautiful home, where they hosted about 20 of us. We enjoyed crepes, then gathered for a sweet Christmas devotional that Cathie had prepared. We topped the evening off with a rousing game of "The Candy Bar Game"--which is a Coombs family special when they host parties!

We truly felt blessed to be surrounded by good friends.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!