Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Family parties...

Before Nate and Amy went to Utah we wanted to have a Christmas get together. My mom made roast and mashed potatoes and we had a nice dinner. Afterwards we sang Christmas songs and Nathan read some Christmas stories.

Cirdan and I made our famous pumpkin cheesecake...so delicious!


We also attended the Nye Family Christmas Party which is always fun. We ate hawaiian haystacks for dinner, sang Christmas carols and had the annual white elephant gift exchange. It was good to see everyone again.

Lastly the Jackson Christmas party. It was held at Matt and Carla's house. Their house looked beautiful and Carla went all out with the tables decorated and tons of food. After we ate the kids dressed up as characters (and animals) for the story of baby Jesus and acted it out while Cheryl read the story. Ella was supposed to be an angel but she didnt want to cooperate.

Santa then made his annual appearance! This always brings back really wonderful memories for me. Every year when I was little Santa would always visit us Christmas Eve at the Jackson party. I was convinced that this was the REAL Santa....until Steph (my cousin) wrecked it for me. I think I was around 12 years old!!

Ella was still not a fan of Santa...

I love Christmas. I love spending time with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Christ.