Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Miller's

After the hullabaloo at our house, we trekked over to Mom and Dad's for a delicious meal of ham, Dad's homemade scalloped potatos, stuffing, Jell-o salad, rolls, Martinelli's sparkling cider, and corn. And how lovely it was when kids went off, playing their individual games, and we could sit around the table and visit uninterrupted.

Once things in the kitchen were in order, we headed into the living room for the real deal.
Everyone was eager to "help" Matthew open his gifts. He didn't mind help up to a certain point. Then he let it be known that he no longer required your assistance.

Matthew went up to both Grandma and Grandpa to give them loves, saying "thank you."

Ella got a pogo stick. She's tried the old one we have at home. She begged someone to go outside with her and try it out. After all the gift-opening, Chad went out and cheered her on. She's up to 10 jumps in a row, now. Go, Ella! Colin got a Jazz hat. Chad says he's always wanting to wear his when it's game night. Now he has one of his own.

The girls will have fun making some jewelry together.

Mr. Matthew got a cute little train set. He was into that from the get-go.

The first thing he did was plop himself down in the middle of it and check out everything.

Colin got a cookbook. We'll have to get him in the kitchen again soon. (Don't let the look on his face fool you--he loved it.)

We got Mom and Dad (and everyone else in the Miller/Barnett family) a photo calendar. I hope that helps keep track of all the birthdays!

And Matthew's doing a stand-on-the-head-for-joy pose.

I think it will be many years before our kids recognize how lucky they are. Not only do they get to have a Christmas at their own home, but they have two wonderful sets of grandparents who love them to pieces and spoil them rotten. (We do need to have a Family Home Evening lesson on gratitude soon, I do believe.)

We loved spending time at Mom and Dad Barnett's with Amber in North Ogden, and then at Mom and Dad's in Mountain Green. We certainly missed Blake and Maren, Braden and Brody; Chris and Gabby; Doug and Rachel and Theron, Grant, Kate, Paige, and Juliette. We loved watching the video Doug and Rachel posted of their Christmas morning in Germany. We felt as though we were part of it. And we loved talking on the phone to everyone. Merry Christmas! Some of our most treasured gifts are each of you.