Christmas Family Memories

Christmas is a favorite time of year! We love snow, gift giving (and receiving), reflecting on the birth and life of Jesus, and vacation from school! I have included a few Christmas memories below:

Our first Christmas we (just Wade and I) spent in Idaho with family-- nice. After driving back to Provo, we ventured on a drive to Mesa, Arizona. Uncle Jimmy's statement that we should "try visiting in July so we could feel some real heat," has become a often quoted line in our family. I was glad to get to know Grandma and Grandpa Bergeson better, and was able to meet Great Grandma Stout. Seeing the places from Wade's favorite childhood vacations was fun and helped me understand his love of the desert and sajuaro cactus'.

Returning to Idaho for Christmas during the Chicago years (3 times?) was always highly anticipated. Flying with kids was quite an adventure. Wade started the tradition of buying himself a desired Christmas present (a CD or a video), wrapping it up, and writing the tag To: Wade,  From:Pat and Nolan (my aunt and uncle!). It's always a hit.

Obviously, the Christmas when Trevor was sick with strep pneumonia with scarlet fever and a lung abscess, is very memorable. We were up from St. George, went to Rexburg ER at 5am Christmas morning and by December 26th, were driving to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. There things were steadily changing for the worse and the doctors were considering surgery. But Trevor knew he would get better, and he did with the faith and prayers of  so many family and friends. The support from so many in St. George was touching. Grandma DeMordaunt went down to Salt Lake with me and baby Owen so she could watch him during naps, then would bring him to me to nurse, then back to the Ronald McDonald House again. Owen was such a good baby through all of that and Grandma was a great help. The rest of our family in Idaho helped with the other kids. We made it through and back to Wade in just a couple of weeks. A PICC line and 'round the clock antibiotics later, and we were through with it. Trevor recovered nicely and finished his Kindergarten school year and has been healthy ever since.

Christmas is Mae's (and possibly everyone's) favorite holiday. For her it has to do with lots of presents and just the magic of it all. Snow and sparkles, stars and bells, Santa and stockings, and, of course, Jesus and the ever-symbolic Christmas Tree. My dad's Christmas Tree song is our favorite:

Oh, Christmas Tree,
Oh, Christmas Tree,
You represent eternity.

The bell is joy.
The heart is love.
The dove is peace from God above.

The star reminds us of his birth,
The night Christ came to dwell son earth.
May we remember sacredly,
The meaning of our Chistmas tree.

Our Christmases usually have a few presents, some wrapped (or not!) in unique boxes or containers, which is always interesting. Homemade gifts are my favorites. Mae's stuffed animals, Jim's clock, Trevor's randomness, and Owen's wrapping, make it scpecial. Being together on Christmas is the best. When we aren't together, Skype keeps us connected for the Christmas Eve program and opening presents in the morning. We always have fruit soup and scones. Yum!