Christmas At Home and Happy 2009

Lisa, Rich and the girls( two of their three)missed you Morgan, had Christmas with us and we could not have enjoyed anything more. Watching the girls open their gifts was a real treat for us. My daughters are opting to enjoy Christmas mornings with their families at home and that is as it should be.We were glad to have Lisa's family here with us this year.
It took me back years, memories of when they were small, how much fun they were and how Richard and I had to plan carefully and budget to get the three of them things we so wanted for them to have each Christmas. I think I worried way too much about what they would get, especially if they had a wish list.
Think about this as a possibility,do NO WANT LIST. Provide special time for your children by planning activites that they will share with you or a special family member. This, they will never forget. Here is an example;One year our budget was much shorter than usual, we made paper train tunnels that covered the entire table.We cherish that memory to this day and we all received a very important lesson in giving. The gift of time shared with one another is priceless. The gift of time shared far outlast the material possession that you may have gone in debt to purchase.
We had a great meal with all the girls and their families with the exception of Jeri Lynn's,they were home taking it easy and trying to fully recover from sickness. We missed them very much.
Christmas Eve we had turkey and the fixins,Christmas day we had ham with all the goodies that is included; baked beans ,max/cheese,rolls,Rich's pies and Shelby's carrot cake. Good times and good food. We also played the "Nasty Santa Game".You know ,draw numbers and take away the gift of your choice from someone else.It is fun and not too mean.Plus everyone ends up with a gift and let's face it we only need one gift, The Baby Jesus. We all sang Happy Birthday to Him and enjoyed our time together as a family
The Needler Family was at home and happy just the way we have been for many years now. We all know that a wonderful God deserves our thanks for all the wonderful things we have and remember to share.
Praying your New Year is full of shared times with the people you love. That alone will make all the other things that come your way this year 2010 happier.
Love to you all from:
Rich and Nell