Merry Christmas 2014

This is the picture we used for our Christmas card this year. It is so pretty with the poinsettia that dad gave me. And we even coordinated our clothes!!! Everyone came over to our house for Christmas Eve- about 20 of us! We followed the tradition of having kids and grandkids open their presents from us.

We did a fun thing before we opened presents on Christmas Eve. I had asked the girls in the family to wear a white shirt and a skirt. I told everyone about Santa Lucia which was a custom from our Swedish heritage. In Sweden, Santa Lucia’s Day commemorates a young Christian girl who was martyred for her faith in 304 AD. According to the story, Lucia secretly and illegally gave food to the poor. She wore a crown of candles to light her way as both her hands were filled with her offering. Lucia means light, and Santa Lucia’s Day falls on December 13, near the winter solstice or the shortest day of the year. Lucia’s coming signals the beginning of longer light-filled days ahead. The Christmas season commences in Sweden when the oldest daughter in the family, representing Lucia, wears a white dress, red sash, and crown of candles, and leads a procession of her younger sisters each holding a single candle. Lucia carries a tray of saffron buns and sings the “Santa Lucia” song as she offers food to her family, and then to friends and neighbors. This was fun to talk about since I remembered how my mother (Alice Olson Dochkus) told me she got to be St. Lucia one time and how special that was to her. I gave each of the girls a red sash and a candle and since Miriam was the oldest girl, she got to wear the headpiece and lead the girls. Even the little girls had lit candles!!! We were living dangerously!!!

Mark and Mandy and girls were staying with us. On Christmas morning Carole came over also, and we had fun watching Caroline and Hannah open their presents. Here are the two princesses with crowns, necklaces, rings and earrings.

Caroline's favorite present was the Barbie shopping register that included a scanner. Caroline kept reminding us that the store was closing in 6 minutes.

Caroline and Hannah also got ballerina outfits!

Carole gave the family a music box with instruments and special kids music that she recorded. What a fun present.

And Mark felt very "manly" with his wrench set. Plus you can see how attractive a manly man with wrenches can be!