Our First Christmas in Nova Scotia

Christmas Eve

Our beautiful Christmas Tree.

Our decorations at christmas time are all sentimental. Our tree has orniments hanging from it that were gifts to our family, or that are symbolic of a specific time in our lives. It is simple, but it is special in so many ways.

Stockings for a family of four.
Miley and Scotlin are so excited for Santa to come and bring treats for their stocking. Miley tells me everyday!!

Tonight we are expecting very special company.

Special company, makes for a special evening, and Christmas Eve in our home is one of the most special nights of the year.

We invite our guests to dress in their best. We host a fancy, candle light dinner, listen to beautiful christmas music, and let the magic of the season fill our home with the spirit of our Savior`s birth.

Everytime I am around these people I feel blessed beyond measure for such fine friends. The close firends we hosted tonight were Taylor, Helene, and Kingston Farland, Adam, Sarah, and Ryan Thompson, (And Adam`s mom who was in town for the holiday). Here we are gathered around the table before our Christmas Eve meal. You know those people that make you want to be better just from being around them... These are those kind of poeple. We are so lucky to have such great friends.

After dinner we had a surprise visit from Santa Clause. We are the owners of this suit, and Justin usually plays the part, but this year Miley was catching on too quickly that Santa is her dad, so Justin asked Taylor if he wouldn`t mind filling in. Taylor was an awesome Santa!! The kids loved him, and the adults laughed and laughed! We couldn`t get over the english accent he added to his character. It was hilarious. He came into the room looking all around saying `I see lots of children here...` The kids all stood, watching in amazement, pointing, and shocked that Santa really had come! Here`s Miley welcoming him into the room. She is our little hostess.

Santa read the children a christmas book, and then all together we sang `Away in a Manger.` Each child then too turns sitting on Santa`s lap and recieving a gift. Miley and Scotlin both recieved their Christmas Jammies. (probably not the most exciting thing for Santa to bring!) Maybe we will double think the surprise gift next year!:)

After Santa had come and gone we asked Adam if he wouldn`t mind reading about the Savior`s Birth from the Scriptures. Then Justin had prepared a special message for all of us about Christ, and remebering him at Christmas time. The spirit was felt, and the night was magical just as it should be.

This picture is so classic of Miley. Our friends had brought over some mints and placed them in a dish at just the right heighth for all the kids to reach. Miley was in heaven, especially when she learned how to pull the wrapper off with her teeth.
The rest of the night we spent visiting, and enjoying one another`s company.
We were also able to get a shot of each family which is hard to come by considering the effort it takes to round up the little ones. We were so grateful to have the chance to celebrate christmas eve at home where we stayed nice and warm, and enjoyed a wonderful night with our closest friends.

Sarah, Helene, and I

The Thompsons

The Farlands

And our little family.

Christmas 2010