On Saturday, December 21st the Perrys hosted a family Christmas party.
It started with baptisms at the Feather River Temple.
Then everyone gathered at the Perry's home in Elk Grove.
Some played video games
And others decorated cookies with people going from one to the other.
MaryAnn had mixed up a special frosting
and it resulted in some beautiful art!
Amanda likes gnomes so she made this!
Darryl decorated the Nativity cookie!
Then dinner was ready.
We thought it was funny that all the boys were the first ones in line!
After dinner we gathered for a Nativity activity.
We had each signed up in advance for one of the characters
or parts of the Nativity and did a little research.
Then as the story progressed,
each person shared something including scriptures.
It was very inspirational with this older group!
MaryAnn had designed this candy Nativity and we each got to eat our part!
We finished up playing the Saran wrap game which is always fun
and everyone gets a prize!
It was a great party with some door ditching at the very end.
We spent Christmas Eve with the Perrys.
A lot of great talents were shared including:
Lily on the recorder
Jacob displaying some artwork..,
...and playing the trumpet.
David playing the piano.
Joshua playing the flute.
Hannah singing "Astonishing" from Little Women.
Part of her talent was that she knows over
100 songs by heart and we just called out a number
and this is what she sang.
And it turned out to be a really "astonishing" evening when Brian announced his talent.
He had Joshua read any random line from the play, "Hamlet."
First, Brian had to think for a few seconds.
Then he proceeded to give the Act, Scene,
who said it and to whom and then he gave the next line!
He did this three times.
We were amazed!
Grandpa lead everyone on chimes.
Then we enjoyed a Shepherd's Supper.
Later the kids enjoyed their new prizes.
Meanwhile the Melanchuks attended Christmas Eve Mass
And they got there early this time.
(Last year it was full by the time they got there.)
Later they acted out the Nativity.
Everything is ready for Christmas morning!
Another one of those same snowman families.
This family is also ready for Christmas morning!
And the McClellans had a full day of activities!
including Pickle Ball!
Christmas Day:
There was lots of present opening for the families
and phone calls for us.
Lunch at Melanchuks:
This looked fun: Christmas tree made with crescent rolls
with ham and cream cheese
We did a light ride Christmas evening.
This court in Folsom does a nice job.
I thought the garage door on this house was really creative.
Those are individual bulbs hanging down.
And last but not least, we drove by a friend's home near our home. She is a widow.
I commented to her how much I liked this Nativity Scene on her lawn.
She said her husband made it many years ago. He had no power tools and just used a saw to cut it all out. I think it is beautiful and the perfect end to our day!
