Zoë Anastasia: Christmastime

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year - beautiful decorations, dark nights lit up with colorful lights, delicious treats, and precious time with family. Most importantly, it is a time to pause and give heartfelt reflection on the greatest gift of all time, Jesus Christ, and sing songs of praise of our great God of love and the baby Savior sent into our world to bring healing, restoration and peace.

The Grotto

Little two-and-a-half-year-old Zoë had a very special Christmas this year, and we all enjoyed watching her delight in decorating the tree, lighting the Advent candle and reading the Bible stories to go with our Jesse Tree ornaments, playing the songs on her musical "Santa's Marching Band", singing angels and snowman over and over and over again, and having special times with Lola, Grandpa, Uncle Corby and Aunt Mary and Uncle Judah.

We made two trips to the Festival of Lights at the Grotto - once with Lola, Judah and Nancy, and another time with Grandpa and Corby and Mary. The lights were beautiful and we enjoyed some lovely singing. In between we made a trip to ZooLights with just the 3 (4!) of us and had a great time...until a certain someone who refused her nap got very cranky and fell asleep at 6:15 in the backpack. ;)

Zoë and Mommy made some fun Christmas crafts!

Zoë's special friend, Celicia, came for a visit on Christmas Eve

We attended the Christmas Eve Family Service at our church and celebrated Jesus with lots of singing, listening to the Christmas story read by children, playing with Celicia in the balcony and watching Mommy direct her children's choir.

One of the favorite activities of our time together on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was singing Christmas/worship songs, dancing and playing guitar with Grandpa and Uncle Judah. Here are a couple precious videos to enjoy:

Our Christmas dinner was mostly successful (with a little accidental burning of the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes) and delicious! Zoë woke up from her afternoon nap just in time to enjoy it with us and she gobbled up the green beans, sweet potatoes and sparkling cider. :)

Christmas dinner - the aftermath

Grandpa dared Zoë to eat the turkey wing.

She was fully up for the challenge! :)

We tried to spread out our Christmas present opening times from Christmas Eve and throughout Christmas Day, but misjudged how many presents Zoë had under the tree - so she got to open a whole bunch right before bed on Christmas Day. She got some really fun gifts from Grandpa, Didi and Papa, Auntie Judy and Mommy and Daddy. I'm learning even more how much it brings a parent delight to give their child a special gift - just as we know it delights our Father in Heaven to give us good and wonderful gifts. It was almost unbearable to feel the joy of watching her eyes light up with excitement as she opened them and realized what lay inside the wrapping. And then, of course, came the playing!