I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking the kids to scout camp. I want there to be a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.
~Marjorie Pay Hinckley~

Monday, January 23, 2012

Larsen Christmas Party

Christmas comes early every year for the Larsen family! My mom always hosts a Christmas party for all of my siblings and their families, and it truly is something we look forward to each year. We start with a big dinner and lots of conversation and catching up. It is fun for the adults and the cousins who haven't seen each other in a while. Then we have a nativity play presented by the Grandkids with a narration that we have of my Grandma Sitterud reading the Christmas story. It is a neat way to incorporate her into our traditions even if she is gone. Here is the entire cast of Larsen grandkids.

I'm not quite sure what part Cambree was playing. she insisted on putting her costume together herself.

Kaden as the Donkey, my nephew Dylan as a shepherd, and Brennen as a wise man.

My sweet nephew Eastyn.

My niece Brielle as Mary. She took her part very seriously.

Aubree as a shepherd.

Brennen as a Wise Man.

My sister Larissa and her sweet baby Chloe.

All my living Grandparents: Grandma Retta (Larsen), Grandpa Dee (Larsen, and Grandpa Sitterud.

Making ornaments for Grandma's grandkid tree.

More craftiness.

Christmas Bingo.

Finally opening presents. The kids get to open 3: one from a cousin (we draw names), one from Grandpa and Grandma, and one from Grandma's "elf" who finds our party every year. It must be because there are so many good boys and girls there.
Cambree was so excited about Backpack. She also got a Tiana doll from Brielle, and a baby doll from the elf. She calls it her Cambree baby because it has red hair like her.

Brennen got Mater legos from Grandpa and Grandma, Cars Legos from Eastyn, and a remote control Lightning McQueen from the elf.

Tyson got a Hero Factory set from Grandpa and Grandma, a hero factory set from Macie, and a remote control car from the elf.

Kaden got a Lightening McQueen Lego set from Grandpa and Grandma, a Nerf football from Rikelle, and a remote control car from the elf.

Aubree got Blendy pens from Grandpa and Grandma, a Young Women value necklace from Dylan, and a manicure set from the elf.

I am so grateful to my mom for putting this together each year. she is such an amazing mom and I have a wonderful family. I am truly blessed to belong with them! I'm also grateful to know that families can be together forever.

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