Last year we started the traditions of providing St. Nicholas for a family in our ward. We use the story "The Wooden Shoes" and secretly leave Candles on Day 1 (Dec. 2), Wood and Kindling on Day 2 (Dec. 3), Bread and Rolls with the story "The Wooden Shoes on Day 3 (Dec. 4). We tell the family to put out their shoes for St. Nicholas the night of Dec. 4 and then we fill them with Lebekuchen, Speculautis, German Chocolate, and toys from the Dollar Store. This year the family lives in the country and we could not secretly ring and run so James got a 5 gallon bucket that we attached to their mailbox. It is a lot of fun and one of my favorite things to do at Christmas. Here is the note the family posted on Facebook.
To the kind souls who were our secret St. Nicholas last week, Thank You! You brought much joy and excitement to our home, and especially the spirit of kindness and service. It is a pretty neat thing to hear my son talk about how great it would be to play Secret Santa for someone else! Plus, we love learning new traditions, we may be putting our shoes out every year for St. Nicholas Day! Thank you for your kindness!
Oma and Opa Leonard came to visit us from Dec.4-Dec.11 so they were part of the St. Nicholas too. The morning of Dec. 5 we put our shoes outside and then open the door for Harper to see. She immediately saw the car Oma and Oma got her and went to it and brought inside. It was as if nothing else was in her shoes; she was so excited about the car. We enjoyed the Festival of Lights with Oma and Oma and the different activities that took place in town.
Oma, Opa, and Harper. Walking in wooden shoes with Oma.
We went caroling with ward members in a neighborhood on Dec. 10 and then at the Monte Rehab on Dec. 17. This is our third year caroling at the Rehab. I enjoy watching the residents faces light up when they see Harper. She usually gives them a smile which adds to their joy.
Making sugar cookies with Daddy
Christmas Eve we had a party with James's family. A white elephant gift exchange is the tradition for the Edwards clan. I made a frame with seashells around it and James made shadow boxes. It is not required that gifts be homemade but many do make their gifts. Santa Claus came to the party too but Harper was not about to sit on his lap. When Aunt Leann tried to put her on Santa's lap she cried. Harper's only cousin on the Edwards side, Shelby, surprised everyone and flew in from California.
Christmas morning we got up and looked to see what Santa had brought us in our stockings. Harper was so excited; she would pull something out and then go show Daddy.
After opening our stockings and having breakfast we headed down to Vancouver to James's Uncle Gerry's house. He and his wife, Faye, through a Christmas party. There were three dogs at the party and Harper kept saying "Puppy" (although she has not said it since). Gerry is the last living Edwards from James's dad's family. He only had daughters and so Fory and James are like sons to him.
We got home about 4pm from Gerry's and opened our presents. Again it was fun to see Harper's excitement.
Taking a present to Daddy. Helping Daddy unwrap his presents.
Harper got a broom set, duster, wagon, and Rocking Chair from Santa. Harper sweeping the couch.
After opening up gifts we headed over to Fory's shop for a leftover dinner with Uncle Fory, Aunt Leann, Grandma Edwards, and Uncle Joel. It was a busy Christmas but a nice Christmas.
For New Year's Eve we went to Brad and Juliana Wallaces's house to play games and have fun with friends.
Headed out to Party
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