Here comes Santa Claus

Santa came again this year...looking as good as ever!

He always is so sweet and gentle to the ladies. He tells us how wonderful we are. What a man.The grandkids are always fun to watch because you never know how they will react. Ella is old enough that she was excited and didn't seem to be scared. Preston was willing to sit on his lap but wouldn't say a word and had a sort of stone face. It was so great having Will and Wendy and Annie back home. It made things feel right again. Wendy had two to sit on Santa's lap. We can't wait for May!Annie was sure to let Santa know just how she felt. She didn't want anything to do with him and when Will tried to put her on his lap, she held her legs as high as she could so they wouldn't touch him. Next year will be better. Sam wrestled as ususal and thought he won. No one will ever beat Santa!Amanda did the collect the pjs and run routine. It is always so fun to watch the first meeting with Santa. Dave, we're so glad you're here to stay!Anna, no laughing!

Kim the smart one in the family covered up with a huge bath robe to prevent shaving cream on any of her clothes.

(I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus...What a pair!)

Away in a Manger

Christmas Eve is always very special at the Richards home.

Mom makes a great dinner, and luckily Josh got to come for a little while before he had to go to work for the evening.

Dad always tries to help us remember the "true meaning of Christmas" by presenting a thought or creating a stable in the livingroom. This year we talked a lot about the new year and what it would bring to each person. He called it a "Gift from God". We really are blessed and although there are many trials that we deal with, this year is going to be just that, a gift.

So we had a nativity dramatization. Eric and Lindsay live in Portland and so since they weren't able to be here for Christmas, they were our audience via web cam. Abby, Sarah, Eric and Lindsay were all in attendance.

And it came to pass...Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem on the donkey, Small One, and Mary had her baby, Jesus.

Then the angel appeared to the shepherds and announced that the baby had been born and that they should go and tell everyone.

The wisemen came bearing gifts.

In the meantime, there were angels, wisemen, and shepherds all around the world that decided to come and see the baby. They all gathered together and sang beautiful carols celebrating His birth. What a wonderful event.