Somehow Christmas Morning is just more Fun with Little Ones

Michael and Desiree spent Christmas Eve with us and that meant...

We had Evylee with us on Christmas Morning!

Oh! What Joy!

Thanks, Mike, for sharing your little family with us!

How many 20+-year-old girlies do YOU know who still wear footy pajamas?

Love these two!

"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself"

--Charles Dickens

In the afternoon, David and Katie came with their two little dolls. They are sporting the sweaters I raced to finish in my pre-surgery knitting frenzy.

Christmas Greetings!

I have a favorite Christmas decoration. It consists of three gold ribbons each holding up to 10 of the old photo greeting cards we have sent to family and friends over the years. In early December as I pull it from the box of decor, I stop for a moment..... and thoughtfully remember....

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

Both sons were serving missions and are represented by the snowmen. Notice their name tags and ties.

2003

2004

2005

(first grand-baby)

2006

2007

2008

and our most recent --

2009

May the Spirit of Christmas

bring you Peace

The Gladness of Christmas

give you Hope

The Warmth of Christmas

grant you Love.

With Love,

The Collier Family

An Evening in Bethlehem - Family Style

It's one of our favorite family traditions,

and happens once a year at Christmastime.

Family gathers

for a fun and somewhat crazy

evening "in Bethlehem".

Mid-Eastern Cuisine is served.

Potato Latkes

6 large potatoes

1 medium onion

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 cup flour

Grate potatoes (preferably by hand). Remove excess liquid. Mix in other ingredients. Fry small spoonfuls until golden brown. Drain and serve hot.

Mediterranean Pita Sandwiches

1 and 1/4 pounds ground turkey

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried mint

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Combine ingredients, mix well, shape into 1 and 1/4 inch meatballs. In a sprayed skillet, cook meatballs for 8-10 minutes or until cooked through. Place 3 meatballs into pita half and top with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cucumber dressing.

And after dinner, a family Nativity pageant...

This year, we drew our parts from "a hat".

One Narrator and One Photographer.

Mary

With Joseph and Baby Jesus.

Shepherds

Keeping watch over their flocks.

(This little shepherd was very tired, and rode her sheep to Bethlehem.)

And angels

declaring Tidings of Great Joy. (Don't even ask about David...)

It is our family's way of experiencing

the magic

that is Christmas.