AND SO THIS WAS CHRISTMAS ...

Christmas 2015 in the Peters family was a progressive day from one event to another. I was so thankful that we were all together without a sniffle, full blown colds or flu bugs. 
What a lively bunch so if photos are blurry it is because it is nearly impossible to have stillness.

So very thankful for our wonderful family

Furniture pushed back, the carpet rolled up and tables set in anticipation of 20 hungry family members later in the day.

Delicious cinnamon buns, coffee and fruit were waiting at our first stop midmorning hosted by Terry and Karen

Over the last sips of coffee we all played the Family Game, guessing who had taken on what name?

Then it was off to the Bowling Alley for a very fun game 

Team Bugsy, Ripple and Pinky
Ripple was playing for the first time and beat Gramma by 40 points.

After a mandatory nap or rest time at their respective homes we all regrouped for supper at our house.

Grampa stories.

Kaden reading the Christmas story from Luke 2

Mark opening the annual nativity pageant with the tune of the Friendly Beasts

"The Friendly Beasts"

Jesus our brother, strong and good
Was humbly born in a stable rude
And the friendly beasts around Him stood
Jesus our brother, strong and good

"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown
"I carried His mother up hill and down
I carried His mother to Bethlehem town"
"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown

"I," said the cow, all white and red
"I gave Him my manger for His bed
I gave Him my hay to pillow His head"
"I," said the cow, all white and red

"I," said the sheep with curly horn
"I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm
He wore my coat on Christmas morn"
"I," said the sheep with curly horn

"I," said the dove from the rafters high
"I cooed Him to sleep so that He would not cry
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I"
"I," said the dove from the rafters high

Thus every beast by some good spell
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Emmanuel
The gift he gave Emmanuel

Grandkids opening gifts from each other and from Grampa and Gramma

One of the gifts for the grandkids was rice bag warmers that kept Gramma busy in her workshop before Christmas 

Luke, Lisa, Kaden, Simon, Karl

Mark. Melody, Kyla, Ray

Terry. Ian, Karen, Cole

Levi, Ella, Lauren, Shelley, Avery

Trudy and Wally

We ended the evening at Ray and Mel's home with dessert, movies for the children and our annual adult gift game which this year had to start with the letter R

What a full, memorable and happy day.