So This Is Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, we went to the Holt's house for a family party---the Gees, Holts, Smiths, grandparents and great-grandparents, missed seeing the Wahlquists and the "Scotty" Smiths.

Its a tradition to have a table full of finger foods and appetizers.  Its a smorgasboard favorite foods.  We love it!  Dave and I brought a Chick-fil-A nugget tray, Kris and Brian made a HUGE batch of Somtum with sticky rice, and Kelley brought Tastee's Donuts.  That was just three of the many delicious items, holiday gluttony...makes me hungry just thinking back on it.

Besides the food, Grandma Smith put together a really sweet program using song and scripture to teach the kids the true meaning of Christmas.  Grandpa Smith even played guitar.  Each of the kids or whoever wanted to also got to share a talent such as playing the piano or singing a song.  Nikki sang an adorable rendition of the Hippopotamus for Christmas song, while the rest of the girls played the piano. Ashley and Paige played a "Silent Night" duet and Ashley also played a piece from the Nutcracker.

After the party, it was time to get home.  The girls set out some cookies for Santa, opened their Christmas PJs and headed off to bed.

Thank goodness we all got a good night's sleep because Christmas morning was pretty exciting.  It was really fun to open presents with Grandma and Grandpa and Scott and Katie.

I think Paige and Ashley were pretty pleased.  Paige got the voice password journal she wanted so much.

Ashley got a great surprise---her very own iPhone.  I don't think she saw that one coming.

A little later in the afternoon, everyone at the Smith house went their separate ways to visit with other families.  We went to have dinner with Kelley and David Gee.  It was so fun.  Kelley is a fabulous cook.  I was definitely impressed, especially because they had just returned from a trip to Idaho on the 24th and Kelley still managed to have everything including a big meal ready on Christmas Day.  Unfortunately, I don't think anyone got pictures of the dinner.  I consider it a compliment because the traditional ham dinner was so tasty.

Besides the food, our two families just had a great time visiting and watching the kids play.  Paige just disappears with Kelley's girls as they all go off to play, while the little boys find a kindred spirit in Dave and play with him.  Because the Gees just recently moved to Utah from Rexburg, we got to see them and spend more time together than we have in an long time.  It was great!

Later in the evening, we headed over to see my parents, exchange presents and eat a little more food!
Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures :(

My dad thrilled he got some Ong Bak videos