The Tribe 5: Merry Christmas 2010

Mama at Christmas

Merry Christmas! Christmas is that time of year that we all have the opportunity to remember the Saviour. To feel of the love of the Lord on a daily basis because the whole world seems to stop their bickering and just stop to help others. Service is the Lord's way. Service to others is the way that we can help others to feel the Spirit of Christmas. It is a feeling of love. True a tree, decorations, traditions, music, food, and some gifts also play a part of it--but they mostly enhance the love of this time of year. Our Christmas 2010 was our 3rd together, and our 2nd as a family. The beauty of the Christmas feeling was strong, gentle, and filled with love this year. It was a year that changed how we look at Christmas. We have our traditions, our family, and we are able to feel the love of the Lord through the service rendured to others. So, onto the play by play of Christmas 2010. It went something like this: Grandma Ann's house for Christmas Eve. All the "Wanship" Giauque cousins, Uncle Marc, Aunt Sherie, Grandma Ann, Grandpa Dale, all of the "Bountiful" Giauques, Grandma Sue and Grandpa Billy-goat. Oh yes...two other lovely helpers: Sammy and Fenway...both boys, both cute and both hungry!

Mama and the Boys: Kellis 12, Isaac 9, Garrett 11

Mama and Marianne: Her smile sums up Christmas 2010. What a sweetheart!

Yummy dinner, good company, and then the program! Now I must interrupt: isn't she the cutest baby in the world? Her smile was so contagious...love her!
So onto the program. Since this is Marianne's first Christmas and since she can't hear the music or the sweet words of the stories, how is she going to understand it? Grandma Ann came up with a story that helps us all to think about ways that she can understand. The children gave great answers: we can sign to her, we can show her pictures, and she can feel it. Each one of the children were able to give answers and really help to show their love of her and how they were going to help her understand. Marianne loves to sign and whenever we sign "Jesus" to her, she looks at his picture and smiles...ahhh she brings in the love!

Grandma and Elise reading our Chistmas Story.

Grandpa Billy-goat being silly.

So, following the story, it is time to open up the stockings. A little candy, a little bit of toys, socks, and the one gift. Grandma Ann is so giving of herself--she goes all out! We love to feel the love, see the looks on the kids faces and we love the spirit of Christmas...

The whole Giauque clan opening gifts!

What I love most about this time is listening to all the excitement: I lovew to hear the shouts of surprise, the wows, and the ahhhs

Baby's first Christmas. What a darling stocking!

Surprisingly, there were no cries, "hey I wanted that!", or anything negative. Kellis was great! He would say things like: thanks for the pencils, I can really use these, and you really thought a lot about this--thank you. But the best part of the night was when we were packing the car and I saw Kellis kind-of wipe his eyes. I asked him what was wrong? He said, "I just really felt the Spirit when Grandpa Dale gave us the blocks." (Dale suffered a stroke in February and has been fighting his way back to health ever since. He gave both sets of grandkids blocks that he cut and sanded). I just hugged Kellis and he just said, "I can really feel the love." Ahhhhh!

What did you get Garrett??? TOY STORY 3!! YEEEEHAAAAWWWW!!

Our Chrismtas blessings...all around the tree!

Christmas Morning 2010: Kellis and Marianne, Isaac, Garrett, Virginia, and Margaret Susanna waiting at the top of the stairs with their new blankets!

Mama is excited! LET's BEGIN!

So, just to fill in the night gaps...Sleeping with excited children? Yea...the kids got up 4 times...1am, 2:30am, 4am then 7...we gave in at 7 and went with it. New tradition for the Giauques? Opening up gifts one at a time. (usually it was free-for-all: paper flying, screaming, shouting, and all over in less than 4 mins). Not this year---we went from 4min and 37 sec to one hour. There was not one fight, not one tear, and everyone looked to see what we all got. ahhhhh, PEACE!

This is my favorite Christmas photo: Everyone is happy, smiling, and really showing the true meaning of Christmas. It warms my heart!

What did Garrett get? GUM!

Rock'n Around the Christmas Tree...

CANDY CANES!! My Favorite!

YES!!!! LEEEGOOOOOS! Thanks Virginia!

Christmas PJ's! Margaret got stars, and Virginia got Frogs...

THE ROBE!!! Margaret has been earning her robe all of December...well Virginia just needed one (because sister did--less fights that way--don't know what we are going to do when they both want a car--haha!)

A PILLOW PET!! It'a a pillow---its a pet---IT's a PILLOW PET!

Mama and mer Margaret Susanna...What a star!

What the heck is this? I don't get it...to be used on a computer?? Wait...

RIP it APART! This is the big gift that dad has been working on. The kids were floored!

Get the knife! Let's cut it open!

WOW!! What have we here??? The New COMPUTER! WOW, WOW, WOW!

hum....what is in there? Kellis: look harder!

You found it!!! A new bike for all the scout trips! We love you Kellis!

The gift total: Marianne: 1) tubby toys, pjs, outfit, and lots of love! Virginia: 1) pillow pet, 2) pj and robe, 3) Swimsuit, 4) doll. Margaret: 1) pj and Robe, 2) coloring tools, 3) swimsuit, 4) a stuffed puppy. Isaac: 1) Legos, 2) legos, 3) candy, 4) I think I already mentioned it. Garrett: 1) dinobooks, 2) dragon, 3) stupid animals, 4) coloring things. Kellis: 1) Calendar, 2) MP3 player, 3) a bike. Mom: gift of service from Scott (love it), pjs and a purse. Scott: gift pf service from April, wallet, tie, and shoes. I sewed everone some blankets and they each got a pillow that said "Prayers are Powerful". It is true! Our whole new life started because of prayers...Powerful! Scott made a computer for the family. It Smokes! The kids love it. He is so talented...just love him!

London Bridges falling down! Marianne loves to hang upside-down!

Mom, Marianne, and Dad...it was a great Christmas!

Grandma got the kids: the Clone Wars!

Grandma also got them fashion Barbie...WOW!

Yummy! ORANGES!

Well, in summary: the lights at Temple square, two family parties, gifts to neighbors, reading scriptures and Christmas stories each night in the living room in the glow of the tree, dinners, family, and some gifts to top it all off. My heart was full this year. Merry Christmas to all--and enjoy the rest of the pictures. Loves!!