Christmas at a glance

Our family always acts out the manger scene on Christmas Eve. It is so much fun being with my family, it is always a great time seeing how the nieces and nephew is growing. James had so much fun interacting with them and playing with them. James and Talmage both acted as baby Jesus in the manger, depending on who would sit still during the big moments in the story. James was pretty proud of himself. Every Christmas Eve the elves bring us all a new pair of pajama's. The little kids got cute Christmas ones and us ladies got cute LaSenza ones, that we could wear throughout the year. The guys got comfy bottoms. James loved rustling with grandpa and all the cousins. He has the greatest grandpa, who spends so much time with him, they just love him to pieces. I have never seen such a great big smile. James was so excited when he unwrapped the gift from his auntie Amber. He hopped right onto it and just thought he was the most special guy ever. He continued smiling this big for a full 5 to 10 minutes. I just absorbed that little grin and was so happy he actually realized he got a truck. He is such a boy! Thanks Auntie Amber for making James' Christmas . He plays with it everyday and the sounds make it even that much more fun.

Our family has always taken turns to open gifts. Youngest to oldest. It is always funner that way because it lasts longer and you get to actually see what everyone gets. Well this Christmas was a little different. Now, we just wait until some of the kids wake up and then we wake everyone else up. James didn't quite understand the excitement, but he did like unwrapping the gifts. We opened gifts from about 9 to 11, then my brother Mike, on the mission called. So we had to hold the unwrapping for a bit. We had an amazing talk with him, there were tears, laughing, and everyone got a chance to talk to him, even though he was on speaker the whole time. Elder Leavitt has grown so much, just by talking to him I am amazed what 2 months can do for a young man. I am so impressed with his dedication and change of heart to only do that which the Lord would have him do in California. The most touching part was when he got on the phone with Dad and just told him that he was sorry for the way he treated him at times and how Dad was right the whole time with serving so many people. I think it really made mom and dad feel that it was finally all worth it to see their only boy realize the importance of the Gospel.

Dad aka grandpa got a pull up machine to build his young lean muscles. James wanted a chance to try it out and he actually held himself up. What a tough little guy. We had another wonderful Christmas with the family. I have realized that each one gets even better with more kids. Children are what make moments like Christmas even more magical. Thanks mom and dad for always making it a priority to have us all together and to carry on all the traditions we do each year. One of the greatest traditions we do each year is helping the neady. Mom and dad always find some family to help out with food, presents and any other needs they may need. Than we put it all on their front porch, ring the doorbell and run as fast as we can to the car, drive off and make our round to see if they got it. This year we even went to the hospital to visit a man who had his leg amputated. He is mom and dad's neighbor who has always been in need of help. Without any hesitation, mom and dad have always helped him in even the most crazy situations. We took Christmas dinner to him as well, before the big Leavitt relative get together. It is people like him that your heart hurts for and only want to help out more.