Christmastime in New Jersey

Christmas time is a time when families come together and wonderful memories are made.  It can also be a little stressful, noisy, cold, and crazy.  We had little pieces of all of the above this year, but I have to say that it was just heavenly to me.  Most everything we planned and the activities we chose to participate in were so wonderful.  Looking back over these photos, I can hardly believe it is all behind us and we have moved on to January.  Crazy!! 

In early December, I was released from my church calling as stake relief society president.  It was a big change for me, but one that I was ready for.  I have to say that I have loved every minute of the time I was able to serve both as a counselor and then as president.  The people with whom I had the opportunity to serve have taught me lifelong lessons and enriched me so much.  I learned so much and also realized how important it is to rely on Heavenly Father in all that we do.  Without Him, we cannot do the things that need to be done and by the same token.....with Him, there is nothing we cannot do.  It has simply been a great honor.  I now get to serve in my own ward in the Primary presidency and am LOVING it.  God has been very good to me. 

This year, for Christmas, we got Megan, Geoffrey, Janelle, Scott, Alan, James, and Lucy !!  Emily and Stephanie and their families stayed in Utah and Washington, respectively, for the holiday.  We missed having them with us, but because of work commitments, it was not possible for them to be here.  That's just the way it is, sometimes, and I think they enjoyed their own home Christmas's very much.  Thank heaven for Skype which let us be with them for a little bit over the miles.

Here are a few of the photos we took during the Christmas season.  Enjoy!!

A new decoration idea this year for the kitchen window.  I thought it turned out fun!!

Apparently all that Christmas prep can be very exhausting!!  Good night, Nate.....

But it's all worth it when the grand kids arrive.  He looks pretty happy considering he just finished a six-hour car ride, don't you think?  Merry Christmas, Alan!!

And.....there are those stockings....that's a pretty full fireplace  :)

Here is our nativity cast....Kaci, Evan, Alan, James, Nathan, Megan, and Nikki.

Lucy was a little bit unsure about her role as baby Jesus.  :)

So much excitement in those two faces in the middle.....  :)

Opening up some family gifts while Tracey's girls were there Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning....the great line-up on the stairs

Alan, with some of his gifts from Santa

James, checking out his new trucks

Down come the stockings....

Mommy helping Lucy with some of her new things

Grandma even came up on Christmas morning.  So thankful to have her here to share in the fun!

And Aunt Megan is always ready to get in on the toy action.

Nathan and Grandma

Oh, what fun it is.....

Megan and Lucy.... I think Lucy is trying out Meg's phone

More present opening

Passing out the gifts

Evan and Dad

OK....so here's a funny story.  I know, it's hard to believe that James would be involved in it.  :)  James opened his Ninja Turtle slippers and could not wait one minute to put them on.  Over the top of his footie pajamas was not acceptable.  Off came the PJ's, right on the spot, and those slippers went on his feet.  We just laughed and laughed.  What a crack up!!

Geoffrey and Nate opening some gifts

Janelle with her new chopper

James with his new "look and find"  book

Lucy, with binky in mouth, showing grandma her new baby's bink....so cute!!

The traditional Caramel Bundt Roll...one with nuts and one without

It just wouldn't be Christmas at the Foulk house without it!!

Two tired girls

Alan checking out Uncle Evan's Hess truck

We usually go to Christmas dinner at Grandma's house.  As usual, it was absolutely delicious.  This year, she decided to do one dessert that Aunt Mabel used to do each year.  Along with the other delicious desserts like a chocolate yule log, peanut brittle, delicious turtles and other candy, she pre-scooped and individually froze red and green ice cream balls and served them in a big serving bowl.  Very festive, and we learned about a long ago family tradition.  Very fun!!

So pretty and so good

A little technology, anyone?

We have had this train for years in the basement be never remember to get it out.  This year, several days after all the packages and paper were out of the way, we decided to get it out for the kids to see and play with.

Everyone helped in the assembly....

....and after finding enough batteries.......we had so much fun.  The kids made tunnels out of boxes and even became tunnels themselves.  We moved it over around the tree and kept it up for the rest of the season.  Hopefully we'll remember it next year!!

Lucy started putting the Lincoln Logs back in the package......

...but was especially pleased to dump them back out.   What a sweetie!!!

Saturday was Janelle and Scott's anniversary, so they headed up to Manhattan to the temple for the day.  We decided to take advantage of Tracey's invitation to bring the kids to the farm.  Janelle and Scott actually met us there on the way home from New York.  Everyone had a BALL!!  Thanks so much, Tracey, Chuck, Kaci, and Nikki!!

Lucy saying hello

James got in on the meet and greet session, too!!

Just a little excited for the adventure!

Kaci - doin' her thing

James giving it a try

Yes, I think I like this!!!

Now there's a happy boy!!

See ya later, guys

Lucy even got up in the saddle

Evan on Smokey

Janelle and Lucy on Smokey

Going for a little ride with Uncle Chuck's help

And here is our gentleman horseman....Scott decided he'd ride even though he was still in his suit from the temple trip.  Keepin' it classy, Scott.  Nice!!

Nikki showing us how it's done

Evan riding all by himself

Nice job, buddy.  If we could just get a helmet that would fit your big head...  :)

Can I just stay here a little longer, please???

Grandma Robertson had made gingerbread cookies with Janelle's kids while they were still in Massachusetts.  They had a few unfrosted ones that Janelle brought down with her.  The kids had fun decorating them one day.  Thanks, Grandma Robertson!!

This photo is one of my favorites....look at those smiles!!!

A game of Password, anyone?

Uh...the girls won....with Alan's help.  Thanks Alan!!

And where did that amazing Olaf hat come from, Meg?

Could it be....Frozen on Ice?

We decided to take everyone to the production like Grandma and Grandpa Foulk used to do every year when our kids were young.  We had taken Janelle's family to see the movie when if first came out so we thought it only appropriate that we go to see it on ice over Christmas vacation.

The kids loved it, I think.

So much fun!!

One of the boy's favorite things to do at Great-Grandma Foulk's house is play Donkey Kong.  It is an ancient system that Tracey found left in her town house when she moved there years ago.  Now it's at Grandma's house and had become a tradition whenever the kids come from Massachusetts.  They love it!!

Our picture board was taken over by Christmas cards and pictures....we couldn't even fit them all.

It is one of the things I love most about this time of year....hearing from those we don't normally keep in touch with.  Such great friends and family!!

And here is our New Year's tree with streamers from our traditional celebration, complete with fondue dinner and treats.  

One of my gifts to Steve.   We bought this native needlework piece when we were in Peru several years ago and it has been in our closet since.   I finally got it out and blocked it so that it could be framed.  We found a great place for it, too.  Yay!!

And here is the gift we got from our kids.  We love it!!  It was taken this summer at the Tucker Family Reunion in upstate New York.  One of the few times when we were able to be with all of our kids...it's a great picture and a wonderful memory.  Thanks everyone!!

Having family home for Christmas is always such a treat.  It is hard to get back into the regular schedule.  On the morning that everyone left it started to rain and I looked out and saw the little green tractor sitting out on the patio in the rain.  OK....it's a little sad, but it perfectly described the way my heart felt right then, so I took the picture.  

I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and His wonderful, unselfish atonement.  Life is not always smiles, and family, and warm fireplaces, and plenty.  Sometimes we have cold rain and even feel alone.  But because of Christ's love for us, we always have the knowledge that we are never really alone and that we can all be together again someday.  

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!