The beginning of the week was rather routine – school, work, etc. There was some cookie baking, some house cleaning, the usual things we do to prepare for The Day.
On Wednesday things got more exciting. First of all it was the Winter Solstice, my favorite event in the solar year. Although it is the darkest day of the year, with the longest night, it marks the turning point when the days start growing again. It is a happy day. The Summer Solstice, on the other hand is a sad day to me. Even amid all the light, warmth, and growing green of June, it makes me sad to think the days are already shrinking heading back toward winter. Here in December, the solstice means we’ve turned the corner and are headed back toward summer again. No wonder the Winter Solstice has been a time of celebration since ancient times.
On Wednesday evening Daniel arrived. That was one more child home for the holidays. The energy and noise he brings with him livened the house up immediately. Since he’s used to warm Southern Utah, we put him in charge of keeping the wood stove going.
The biggest event on Wednesday was the birth of our first grandson. Joni gave birth at 7:50 a.m. Mountain Time to Henry William Howe. He weighed in at 7 lbs., 12 oz. and is 20.5" long. He has a head full of blond hair and his father’s deep brow. We haven’t seen anything so adorable since the last grandchild was born. Joni came through the delivery with no problems and she and Henry were able to go home yesterday on Christmas Eve. We are delighted at this wonderful Christmas gift for our family.
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| Henry William Howe |
On Thursday afternoon Delaina (John’s wife) arrived. Due to an arrangement made for her children to spend Christmas with their father in Buffalo, she is spending Christmas here with us. We’re glad she could join the party.
A little later on Thursday afternoon, the Thayn family arrived. That made our Christmas party complete. And the party really took off. Hazel and June are adorable and it’s wonderful to see their excitement for all the Christmas things – the tree, the snow, the gifts. Hazel helps me with the chores every day by collecting the eggs.
Stacey and Hannah said they’d seen loons on the ponds at Colesburg on their way to and from work for several days, so on Friday afternoon Rachel, Miriam, and I drove down to investigate. Sure enough, there were two common loons in winter plumage on the ponds. We don’t see them very often here, so we were glad to see them.
A little later on Thursday afternoon, the Thayn family arrived. That made our Christmas party complete. And the party really took off. Hazel and June are adorable and it’s wonderful to see their excitement for all the Christmas things – the tree, the snow, the gifts. Hazel helps me with the chores every day by collecting the eggs.
Stacey and Hannah said they’d seen loons on the ponds at Colesburg on their way to and from work for several days, so on Friday afternoon Rachel, Miriam, and I drove down to investigate. Sure enough, there were two common loons in winter plumage on the ponds. We don’t see them very often here, so we were glad to see them.
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| Loons on the pond at Colesburg. |
On Friday night most of us went to see Rogue One. Miriam stayed home with Hazel and June. It was the second time seeing the movie for a few of us, but the first time for most. It was great – even the second time.
Saturday, Christmas Eve, was a busy day. It started with a big breakfast prepared by Stacey – sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and biscuits (and vegan biscuits and grapefruit for the vegan family members). Then we spent the day getting ready for the evening. There was last minute gift wrapping, a haircut (for Hazel – the first she’s ever had), some baking, and lots of game playing and general goofing around. In the early evening we got things ready for our Christmas Eve celebration.
Saturday, Christmas Eve, was a busy day. It started with a big breakfast prepared by Stacey – sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and biscuits (and vegan biscuits and grapefruit for the vegan family members). Then we spent the day getting ready for the evening. There was last minute gift wrapping, a haircut (for Hazel – the first she’s ever had), some baking, and lots of game playing and general goofing around. In the early evening we got things ready for our Christmas Eve celebration.
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| Jillian giving Hazel her first haircut. |
Our Christmas Eve celebration took place in two stages. For part one we went over to the Shillig’s. We had delicious food – taquitos, rumaki, guacamole, and all sorts of hors d’oeuvres, and wassail to drink. After the food we played carols on hand bells, we sang The Twelve Days of Christmas, and we played Left and Right.
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| The children's table at Shilligs on Christmas Eve. |
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| The adult table. |
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| Carols with hand bells. |
For stage two of the celebrations, everyone came over to our house. Hazel told us the story of the birth of Jesus using a wooden block Nativity (a gift many years ago from Uncle Bud and Aunt Dolly). Then Phi, Dax and Jillian’s oldest daughter, played Silent Night on the piano. After, because it was also the first night of Hanukkah, I told the story of the miraculous menorah and we lit our menorah. Then we sang some Christmas carols and had our traditional treats – egg nog, cookies, and soft gingerbread with lemon sauce. Finally, I lit our traditional bayberry candle to remember those who are not with us.
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| The dessert table at our house on Christmas Eve. |
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| Burning the bayberry candle. |
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| It was getting late and June was tired. |
After we tidied up, Stacey and I were instructed to go to bed and shut our door while the children prepared a Christmas surprise for the morning. With that, our Christmas Eve came to an end.
Because Christmas Day is Sunday, we decided to wait and open gifts after church. We had abbreviated church meetings. We just had Sacrament meeting at 10:00. It was hard getting ready for church with all those presents sitting there – especially for Hazel and June.
Because Christmas Day is Sunday, we decided to wait and open gifts after church. We had abbreviated church meetings. We just had Sacrament meeting at 10:00. It was hard getting ready for church with all those presents sitting there – especially for Hazel and June.
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| Ready for church. |
After we arrived home from church, the gift unwrapping began. It was so fun to see Hazel and June’s excitement as they opened gifts. We always open presents one at a time, so it takes us a while to get it done. We all gave and received such good gifts. The big surprise for Stacey and me was a new desk for our computer. We were so surprised! When we were all done unwrapping, it was time for Christmas dinner. The missionaries were here for that. We had our traditional ham, funeral potatoes, fruit salad, and rolls.
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| Our traditional "waiting on the stairs" photo. |
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| Opening gifts. |
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| Christmas dinner. |
After dinner we got to Skype first with our nephew Asa who is serving a mission in Ogden, Utah, and then with Josiah, who is serving in San Gabriel, California. It was so fun to talk with them. It was nice to see Josiah’s face. It looks like he’s doing good.
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| Skyping with Elder Howe. |
Now it’s Christmas night. The excitement of the day is winding down. We’re playing some of the new games we got, laughing and enjoying our time together. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.
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| Merry Christmas! |
