Christmas Eve and Christmas Day....

Our church offered a Christmas Eve service for the 1st time ever. The good news is it was as crowded as the Christmas morning service. Our family attended the Christmas Eve service. After we came out of the church we viewed the most beautiful sunset I've seen in a long time. It was as if God was reminding us of that bright star the first Christmas morning. It was 8:30 pm and here was this bright colorful sky, bright like that star that the guided the wisemen from afar...I am so thankful for those reminders that God gives us from time to time.

As the sun set, our family drove around the neighborhood to look at decorated houses. Some houses go beyond just the lights and decorate the inside of their garages/car ports, so you can walk through them and even touch/play with some of the decorations. Then, it was time to head home and open gifts from Nanny (Lori's mom) & Grandpa Ed. The kids were very excited. It ended up being a late night for the kids and they slept until 8:30 am!!! We opened the rest of our gifts when Matthew returned home from the Christmas morning service, ate lunch at a church family's home and relaxed the rest of the late afternoon/evening. Last year it was almost 100 degrees and this year we were delighted with the weather being in the 80's with a slight breeze.

We've posted a slide show for your enjoyment....Praying you had a joyous Christmas and your New Year brings many blessings.