Christmas in Beaumont

One of the bonuses of cruising out of Galveston was that it was only a 2 hour drive to Beaumont afterward.  My parents were able to get the 23rd covered so they could meet us at home when we returned.  It was great to be home because we hadn't been there in a long time!  Mom told us she wouldn't have the usual Christmas decor up and all the food ready, but of course, there were multiple trees up and Cafe Rio food waiting for us when we got there.

On Christmas Eve, we tried to go to Elise's Family Fun Center, but it was closed, so we just ended up at one of our favorite spots - Jason's Deli!  Everyone can find something they like there, so it makes it easy.

Then we made a traditional holiday dinner with all the fixins, and it was oh so delicious.  The adults ate on the Christmas china in the dining room and the kids took the kitchen and front room.  We have so many people now, but we still make it work!  Mom and Dad even gave us their room this time so we could all be comfortable.  It worked out great.  Hazel preferred the closet, Grayson slept on a blow up bed on the ground, and Jada slept in my mom's office.  

Christmas Eve night, all the children gathered around while Dad read from Luke 2.  Mom always sets the tone with the perfect Christmas songs.

Later we even got to see Santa!  He delivered one gift for each of the kids, and the Palmer kids all got jammies.  

Christmas was on a Sunday this year, so everyone opened up their gifts and then we headed to church to celebrate the real reason for Christmas!

After church we even got a decent family (cell phone, believe it or not) photo of EVERYONE.  It was a Christmas miracle!

...and per the kids' request...

That night we went out to Vidor for Aunt Rachel's play - Christmas in Both Hemispheres.

Here are our little angels.

Samuel the Lamanite

Isaac did an awesome job as Nephi.  He was so sincere!

The Heavenly Host (We could NOT stop laughing at the 3 boy cousins- Miles, Ty, and Grayson)

The whole crew - mostly all 2nd cousins and a few friends

I mean, some people do a little Nativity or read the story, but not Aunt Rachel!  She goes all out and directs a full on performance (one run through with the older kids) in a barn with costumes, props, and a set.  It was amazing.  I hope this isn't the last time my kids get to participate.  

For the rest of the short time in Beaumont, the kids played and played.  They were entertained all day with Grandma's toys and the backyard.  I always love just watching the cousins all mingle with each other and have fun.  Here was a little makeup party Aubrey and Hannah did for the little girls.

The adults had some fun of our own.  Dane had the genius idea of finding and planting Mom's old scary doll in the Dunnings' room, so James got right on it.  Pictures can't do the creepiness justice.

  

All jokes/pranks aside, Christmas was truly magical and wonderful.  It's so much better with little kids.  We tried to do service as much as possible in the month of December as a family for the "Light the World" challenge.  A few things we did were express love to our parents, donate toys to others, pray for the sick specifically, and commit to kneeling for all family prayers in December.  I noticed greater love and blessings for those we prayed for, and I hope the kids remember how they felt as well.  Hopefully we can take these things into the new year!