Christmas "Eves" part #2

Christmas Eves evening started with a yummy dinner of Smoked bbq meats sides, dips, and all the food.  After dinner we all waited patiently for Steph to give us the okay to head downstairs.  We were all so excited to see what we would be doing for the games this year. When we got downstairs we soon learned that this year we would be leaving teams up to chance.  We would have to draw a colored gumball and whatever color we drew that was our team.  Blue gumball team was Lisa, Devin, Chloe, Dean and Preston. Red Team was Jaden, Mckall, Addison, Brecken, Jessica. Green Team was Laiklyn, Me, Tynlee Kendyll, Grandma and Emily. Purple team was Sam, Tanner, Matt, Landon, and Grandpa.  We all had a blast and it was pretty close on most games.  The first game was a giant search and find.  We were all blind folded until our turn and then we would grab a card and run up and find what was on the card. I was fast on this one, but a few of ours couldn't find it fast enough.  We took 2nd in that one.  Second game was a taboo, or pictionary game depended on what you rolled.  You either had to  explain the passage without using key words or you had to draw it.  We actually did really good on this one and everyone on my team got their point on this one.  We got all of our cards.  After that we did a streamer wrap.  We were not good at this one.  We had to weave in and around in a figure eight crate paper around each team player in a line.  We tied for last on this one. lol. The next game was bank with giant dice.  We did not so good on this one.  We did not bank when we should have and we rolled all the gosh darn 7's when we were the only ones left in.  We took 3rd on this one.  My team (green)  came in 3rd overall so we received 40$ each.  First team was Red and they got amazon gift cards as well as 60$ each.  Next team was Green and they won 50$ each and then 4th place got 30$.  We all had so much fun and love our aunt Stephanie for doing this every year.  It truly is a labor of love that she does for us.  The time and effort and execution for each year to plan this is overwhelming and every year she does it. We all just adore her and recognize all her hard work and love she puts into this.  After Eves games was white elephant gift.  There were some key gifts that got stolen quite a bit and we had quite a few stolen in our family, but think we ended up with some good things.  Landon opened pickleball paddles and of course he was in heaven always wanting to use mine and Deans even though he has his own.  Brecken ended up with the coveted money jar he won 20$ money jar.  Dean ended up with a camera that prints stickers, Preston got the 20$ durango card, Addison got scratch off lottery tickets, and I got a bar drop game and walmart gift card.  Over all we left with some good things.  We then went upstairs and watched some nativity things and videos about our savior.  Grandpa then bore his testimony and did a great job talking about our savior, forgiveness, and loving others.  I  sure do love my parents and their example of love.  I  don't write about this stuff in here but many of my family members have chosen to leave the church as well as their kids.  My parents have had to learn to navigate relationships and learn to not judge and love.  We might not always understand each other, but we will always fight for one another, love one another, and be there for each other.  We are all good people doing the best we can while we're here on earth.  Everyone's path is different and that's what we chose when we came to earth to have that agency.  I  know our savior loves each of us.  We are all his children and he wants us all to return to him and live with him.  I  know for me that this gospel makes me want to be a better person, it helps me to take time to learn, understand, and turn to my savior.  It helps me to serve and to teach my kids gospel principles and skills to help them in their life.  I love Christmas and that we get to celebrate the life and birth of our savior. We headed home and found our sibling gifts to exchange that night.  Preston had Addison and got her a wicked album and lipgloss.  Addison had Brecken and got him a crystal tree growing kit with his favorite treats.  Landon had Preston and got him a hoodie.  Brecken had landon and got him his favorite color (Pink) golf things.  Pink golf balls, pink tees, a golf glove, and some pink treats.  They were all so grateful and loved what they received.   We then jumped in bed and covered our head because santa was coming tonight.