Our Christmas Celebration
Part 1
Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was wonderfully quiet. With the exception of making this apple pastry for Christmas breakfast, I spent most of both days finishing a scrapbook for Cerwin’s mother. It was something I had been working on sporadically for the past two years, and determined to finish it before the end of 2009 – and it is finished. It was a summary of all the cards she received for her 90th birthday.
These three grandsons (Josh, Nathan, and Jordan) were the highlight of our Christmas Day when they arrived toward evening, trying to convince us that we would be privileged to have them stay overnight – and of course they did – with their parents permission. 
On Saturday morning we took them to a local restaurant for a buffet breakfast. Oh, what fun!
Our children and several grandma’s were here for supper onSaturday night, and our gift exchange. Left to right facing the camera: Chris, Jeff (hidden), Mother High, Mother Hershey, Diana. Back to camera: Lois, Betty, Mary Jane, Roy, Jana (hidden).
Facing the camera: Ian, Zachary, David, Jordan, Josh, Nathan
Jared, Jere, Kristen, Cerwin, Deb, Jesse (hidden) Jenna
Our centerpieces were made of fresh greens and items the girls didn’t use in decorating. I thought they turned out rather festive.
We began our gift exchange with a birthday cake for Jesus. Jesse had the honor of blowing out the candle. Our oldest son, Jeff, is holding the cake.
It is fun to have a two-year-old at Christmas time. Jesse was excited about presents, and you will notice that he was nearby everyone as they opened their gifts.
Jared
Ian
Jana giving a gift to Gloria. (Notice David back left – an “adopted” grandson. I missed getting a photo when he was opening a gift.)
Zachary, our other “adopted” grandson.
David and Zachary are children of our daughter Deb’s good friend Leslie.
Diana
Jenna.
The grandma’s (Mary Jane – Jeff & Chris’ neighbor and adopted grandma), Betty (Kristen’s mother), and Lois (Chris’ mother) admiring the personalized calendars that Deb made for them. Cerwin’s mother and my stepmother also received one. They are on the first meal photo, a few pictures earlier. Deb also designed one for us, Jeff’s, and Jere’s. The calendars included one photo per month.
We give our children and grandchildren money, then play “Now-You-Have-It-Now-You-Don’t” with open gifts.
I was delighted to receive a new bird feeder hanger, and three new feeders from our children. (Notice our snow is gone – after a few rainy days.)
After having new windows installed last spring, I have been wanting more feeders. Now you can look for bird pictures from new angles.
Cerwin received a gift certificate to the taxidermist where he took his buck to be mounted.
I also received birdseed and suet.
I am anxious to fill these, but am waiting for the wind to die down.
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Tomorrow night: Christmas Sunday with Cerwin’s siblings
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