'Tis the Season!

We can hardly believe that Christmas is here again. From day to day, it seems that the minutes can pass like hours, but the year has passed in no time at all. December is the best time of the year in the Winterton house. Not only do we celebrate our anniversary and Lucy's birth, but we also celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. How grateful we are for His life and His atoning sacrifice that makes life after death possible.

At the beginning of the month, we visited a creche display and watched a reenactment of the nativity, complete with live animals! Lucy was happy they served hot chocolate afterward! As we viewed scenes from the Savior's life, it reminded us of the reason for the season.

The next fun event was our ward Christmas party. Jay even had a part! He was a Nephite unbeliever who was too caught up in things of the world to believe the prophecies of the Savior's birth. Jay is the exact opposite of his character, but he played the part well.

Lucy wanted to participate!

After a yummy dinner of fajitas, fruit salad, chips and salsa, and fried ice cream, Santa Claus flew in from the North Pole. Angela tried to prep Lucy all week for a visit with Santa Claus, but when it was her turn to sit on his lap, she wouldn't do it. Not that we blame her-sitting on a strange man's lap is not
exactly something we want to do either.






But Lucy did enjoy the candy cane Santa gave her!

What Christmas Means to Me

What a wonderful time of year this is! Christmas is my favorite time of year. It is because we take the time to commemorate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Last year, as I was "great with child" I pondered on the birth of the Savior and gained a greater understanding for his mother, Mary. As I neared delivery, I didn't have to travel on a donkey. When the time came, I simply slid into the car and Jay drove me a few miles to the hospital. I gave birth in a clean, warm hospital with doctors, nurses, and an anesthesiologist. Mary gave birth to the Son of God in a cold, smelly stable with only the animals and her husband Joseph to attend her.

Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, was born in the most humble of circumstances, yet He is mightier than us all. Without Him, without his Atonement for our sins, we would be forever separated from our Heavenly Father and subject to Satan. Although I cannot fully comprehend the immense suffering and pain that Jesus endured, I do comprehend His love for me. I feel His love in my daughter's smile, as I kneel to pray, and when I read His holy words in the scriptures. We are so blessed to live on the earth today, to enjoy the blessings of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He bled and died on the cross, but that was not the end. He lives! He rose the third day, and we too will live again. Death is not the end. My Great Grandma Dorothy passed away on Christmas Day 1993. I remember her death not with sadness during this season, but with hope as I know that I will see her again someday.

This Christmas season, I plead with you to get down on your knees and express gratitude to your Heavenly Father for the many blessings that you enjoy, especially for the birth of His Son.

Decorating the Tree

For Family Home Evening, we decorated the Christmas tree. Lucy was very helpful at taking the ornaments OFF of the tree, but she didn't want to put her ornament ON.









Daddy was so sweet. He bought Lucy this ornament. It is a yellow chick. He knows how much she loves her "Chirpy Chick" book.









After we decorated the tree, we placed presents under it. Lucy crawled under the tree to make sure that she had some presents under there.

Lucy Sits on Santa's Lap

While we were in Utah for Thanksgiving, Lucy got to meet Santa Claus. He was at the Springville City Building the day after Thanksgiving. She was a good girl and didn't cry-she didn't act too excited either. Santa told us that Lucy asked for a brother. Santa should check with the parents before making any promises!


















Okay, I will pose for one photo.









If I could just get my shoe off...









"I'm outta here!"


















Afterwards, Lucy shared a donut with Grammy.









She liked the donut more than Santa.