Christmas Eve 2008

President Monson said, "The one thing we can count on is change." And over the course of time we have seen a change in the way we celebrate Christmas Eve. When Krea and I lived in Carey, it was our tradition to go to my parents house to celebrate. Lots of family...and lots of fun times. We would have clam chowder and other yummy things to eat. We had some entertainment...usually whatever kids were in band or piano lessons would show off their newly acquired skills. Dad would read Luke 2 and the rest of us act out the Nativity. The newest baby got the privilege of being the baby Jesus. Then gifts were exchanged. It was a fun time and I miss them.

When we moved to Utah...too far to make it for the family Christmas Eve Party, we tried to do the same things. It wasn't the same. There wasn't enough people to act out the Nativity, so dolls were dressed as angels and shepherds, and wisemen. We did have enough dolls, with three young girls. We also added in Christmas Eve P.J.'s. It was fun, but as the girls got a little older...we needed to change some things. So we decided to take different countries (or areas) and do their traditions for Christmas Eve. We study their culture, the food they eat, and if they have Christmas traditions we try to incorporate them into our celebration. We started with the times of Christ. We had candles and baskets to serve the food in. (We did have a little fire incident that year when one of the napkins in a basket caught fire. ) We have done many countries now. Some of which are: Spain, Australia, Brazil, Hawaii, New England, Ireland, Mexico. This year was Madagascar. It isn't just a movie.... We had a lot of fun! We have had fun with this tradition...We will continue it until a need for change comes again.