Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent cooking, playing, eating, opening gifts, going to a church service and then crashing at night...it was the ideal Christmas Eve!!

Mom and her helpers

Games with all the cousins

The ladies

...and their contributions...Rachel set the table, Jenna made rolls to feed the 5,000, Mom cooked the turkey and I really don't know why I'm hoping eggs...it's not Easter afterall!!

Lunch time!

We made special socks with each other

And opened presents!!

Rachel, Jenna and I went for a run to try to balance out all the eating we had done...in the end it was just w fun time to get out and chat together!

at the evening service at my parents church my dad read some scripture. It was a nice service which focused on reading the scriptures about the prophecy and fulfillment of the prophecy through Jesus, and lighting candles to represent the nativity scene. Again, it's great to be together, and it's great to worship Him as a family.

Christmas Day: A day at the beach!

I wouldn't say that it's freezing in Castro Valley, although sometimes I do exaggerate, but it is freezing, and below freezing, in Highlands Ranch, CO where Rachel, Joe, and Kara are from. So, after presents, a sweet breakfast, and a fun family run fillowed by a refreshing coffee, we decided to enjoy the sun shining by packing a lunch and heading to the beach. What a Christmas Day!! It was a highlight!

And this is Jeff telling Joe, "Let's go waaayyyy out there and really scare your mom!" And that's just what happened. Jeff and Joe ventured way out to enjoy the waves while Rachel and I sat on the beach  praying. In the end, they had a great time together, so all swell that ends well, and the day ended really well!

The Nichols Side

Have you ever heard that seeing family is the best part of the holidays? Well it's true...aside from Jesus' birth, the fulfillment of God's promises. With my family spread out in Colorado and Orange County, it's special to get together, and I know the Murry crew shares the same thoughts being spread out in DC area and Minessota. The holidays bring a reason to get together and celebrate. And long after the toys are forgotten, the time and experiences shared are stored up in my heart and keep me warm when I miss the people I love. I am fortunate that this year was spent with people I love...here are a few pictures from the time with the Nichols side.

We basically partied until the girls dropped! And then we got up the next day and ate and partied some more!