The meaning of Christmas

    We got to go home for Christmas this year and be together! It is amazing how much more it meant to me to just to be together and to be with our families. I got to meet my other brother in-laws and their fiances. Zack and Josh are just delightful men. I felt more a part of the family than I ever thought I would that fast. The Girton's always welcome us with more love and care than ever anticipated. I just love my In-law family!
         On Christmas Eve we went to my brother Zacks house for appetizers, presents, and the much anticipated Fireworks!! I couldn't wait; I couldn't wait to see everyone open what I got them, to see the smiles on those kids faces. To see the love in our family that is the meaning of Christmas to me. To finish the evening off we lit these huge fireworks off that I got from Wyoming. The kids were screaming and squelling. Oh it was simply priceless. At the end of the evening we went back to Jeff and Lori's house. Everyone was sitting around in their pjs just waiting for us to get home so we could open ours. After putting our new pjs on I began to share a Larsen tradition with my other family. The Christmas Orange Story. Its a very touching story that has been told to me as a child and I have continued it as my own tradition. As I read this story Drew stood near by peeling  one medium orange to split amongst the 9 of us sitting around. Upon finishing a story I have read or heard more than a dozen times I broke down in tears. My Father came to mind and his great spirit of Christmas that he held in his heart. He was so inspiring to me about what we need to remember each Christmas season. This holiday is about the birth of Christ and the sacrafices he made for us. Its about giving not recieving. Its about Family! I love my families so much and so blessed to have all that I have! I am sad that its already the new year, just because I love Christmas so much!!
            I was horrible about taking pictures this trip, so when I gather what I took I will add them.