Start of Christmas

   

This Christmas was so fun and memorable. Pappi, Grammy, and Matthew all have Christmas break off for a couple of weeks, since they are all teachers and Mark and Michael's family were able to also get time off to come over and celebrate the holiday with us.
      Our holiday started when everyone was off for break. On Monday, December 23, 2013 Matthew, Ethan, Addison and I went shopping to spend Grammy Great Christmas money and Matthew had to do his last minute Christmas shopping for me. We left later than we planed, so we ended up going to just a Target to browse and have fun. In the end, Ethan came out of the store with a Descpicable Me 2 Operation game and a new lego Ninjago set, Addison came out with a drum musical set and The Christmas Backyardigans, Matthew came out with a new game called Dixit and Matthew bought me new pot and pans for my Christmas. It was kind of hard for the kids to decided what to get with their twenty-five dollars from Grammy Great. We did do a lot of swaping and putting back but in the end they were excited with what they picked and have been wearing those toys out. THANK YOU GRAMMY GREAT!!!!
        Afterwards, we still had a little time to kill before meeting Pappi and Grammy at the movie so we went through a fun car wash with the kids. Funny the little things that entertain kids. Then like I said we went to the South Point Casino movie theater and meet Pappi and Grammy there to watch Frozen. I still have Matthew telling me how great that movie is and he has been watching clips of the music on YouTube that it is getting a little old. I didn't see the whole thing because Addison did get a little bored of it in the end, so we did have to walk out. Bummer but not a big deal. Just means I will have to watch it when it comes out. 
           Then we went to the Steak and Shake afterwards to have our dinner and shakes. (That was the reason we went to that theater, so we could go to the Steak and Shake afterwards). Again the kids got the same things they got last time, except this time we were smart and ordered Addison Mac and Cheese with a side of Mac and Cheese. And guess what, she ate both plates, every last noodle.
         The best part of the night and the part I hope that the kids will remember is we went with Grammy and Pappi to give a Christmas to one of Grammy's students family. She knew of one of her student's family were not getting a Christmas, so because of how tender and Christ like Grammy is, she was Santa's helper and brought them a Christmas. When we got to the house, there was no sign of Christmas. No Christmas tree, no Christmas decorations, and no presents. For a family of three boys, one little girl and the parents, it was sad. The parents only spoke Spanish, so Pappi and Matthew ended up conversing and translating for us. Grammy and I though know a little Spanish, so we knew when we were being teased at the same time. You could see how grateful and excited they were that they were going to get a small Christmas after all. Later on we discussed with Ethan that what Grammy did for the family is the true meaning of Christmas and it wasn't so much giving them presents but bringing them joy and just giving. Like I said, I hope that they remember that and we can do that in years to come. 
          Then with warm hearts and peaceful spirits, we went to see the Gift of Lights Christmas light show on the Speedway in Vegas. It is a two mile long light show that you drive through and the kids loved it. At the same time, we had such a long day and so much fun that they were exhausted and definitly ready for bed when we got home. What a great way to start the Christmas week, to be with ones you love, giving the gift of joy and feeling of Christ spirit. Thank you Pappi and Grammy.