Christmas

We had a busy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day filled with family, food, and giving service. On Christmas Eve, we spent the morning and afternoon with Mum and Al who got to come down for two days to spend the holiday with us. Grandma and Zander took a long nap on the love sac. Mum was exhausted since she worked the night shift and drove down to the valley on the same day. 

In the evening, we went to Aunt Julie and Uncle Brent's for dinner and then headed to Coolidge to open gifts as a family. Santa was very kind to us this year! Zander loves all his new toys and books. 

On Christmas morning, we all woke up early to feed the homeless in downtown Phoenix. Two families started this tradition a couple years ago to teach their kids about giving service and we were lucky enough to participate with them last year. They take everything with them - tables, chairs, stoves, food - and set up underneath the 7th Avenue bridge near a couple of homeless shelters. This year, Mum & Al and Kylie & Stevan and the kids joined us. Last year we just cooked and served breakfast. This year we came with coats, clothes, socks, hygiene kits, scarfs, hats, and a lot more volunteers. It was a great way to spend Christmas morning!

The food line. All the teenagers were up front serving breakfast. 

Tristen and Ashlen passed out hygiene kits and $5 Walmart gift cards. The kids saved $65 in change and had the choice of using the money to buy gifts for each other or buy gift cards to pass out. They choose to pass out gift cards. 

All the coats & sweaters that were donated. 

Devin hanging out with the people. 

Merrill clan minus Megan, Eddie, Jayden, and Tage

Gotta love Ashlen's pose. 

We spent the afternoon at Kylie & Stevan's house. We opened gifts, ate a yummy lunch, and enjoyed each others company. Christmas night we went to the Merrills. We ate dinner, played with the Wii, and went to the movies to see True Grit. 

We really enjoyed our first Christmas with Zander. Can't wait until next year when he can open his own gifts.