What a fun week we had with the Towne side of the family (well, minus Steve's family - they were missed!). Jeanie (my oldest sister) and her family came down from Oregon the Monday before Christmas. The rest of the week, the kids had a great time going on bike rides, ripsticking, having sleepovers, and all sorts of other fun stuff. We had 12 kids, 12 and under. Good times. One highlight was going to the zoo (zoo, zoo...how about you, you, you?? Sorry...reflex.). Here are the kids in their shirts they decorated the night before at a sleepover. They loved petting the stingrays.
Whew! We made it.
We all had a really good time all week. My dad and stepmom, Kay, arrived Friday night and we were glad to have them stay at our house. It was fun to have company ("Grandma" Helen was here too) for our traditional Christmas Eve pajama picture. (Megan already crashed by this point.).
Santa came and the kids were so excited! We told the girls they couldn't come out of their room until at least 7am. So they did. Wow. Katie and Rebecca got new bikes.
Megan loves her new piano. Being her first Christmas, it was so fun to watch her take everything in. From the lights, to music, to wrapping paper, she loved it all.
Breanna got a ripstick. No broken bones yet.
Jonny loves his racetrack. Maybe as much as Richard does. :)
Yeah, he is pretty awesome.
After all the presents were put away, we all got ready and went to our ward. It was so great to have everyone there for the Christmas program. Gary was the choir director, I accompanied on the piano, Jeanie accompanied on the organ, Lori had a solo, and Richard, Rebecca, and Dave sang in the choir. It was wonderful. I was more nervous than I have been in a long time, because I am certainly not as good as Jeanie on the piano. But despite a few glitches, it went very well. Tears flowed as we all felt the true spirit of Christmas, which is the Spirit of Christ. (It is mighty difficult to keep playing piano when you are crying.) I could also sense that our mom was present and was rejoicing with us as well. It was certainly the best Christmas gift I got this year.
After we wiped our eyes and gathered all the kids (much like herding cats), we took a group picture. The largest gathering of Towne's in a long time I think. Rob even added Steve's family so we are all together...at least in spirit. :)
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