Merry Christmas!

Like every other Christmas season, Josh and I spent Christmas Eve with my family, then visit his family for Christmas.

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun. We ate an early dinner, including the traditional German dishes like bratwurst and red cabbage. Then, we opened presents. Josh got a "Super Mario Galaxy" game for his Wii, restaurant gift certificate, T-shirt, Wrath of Khan DVD and more. My gifts included cookbooks and clothing.



My mom gave the doggies each one Dingo bone as a Christmas present before we started opening gifts - a great idea! Hopefully we will remember it for next year, as it kept them calm.



Like last year, Josh gave me a pair of flannel pajamas to wear on our Christmas Eve night drive. We arrived in San Antonio to see the other three dogs (including ours - five are in the house) and let them all out. Once they calmed down, we unloaded our car and got settled. Soon after, everyone returned from the Christmas Eve service and we caught up.



The next morning was Christmas morning, so we all sat around the tree and opened presents. Like the night before, Josh and I were very surprised and grateful for all of the gifts. Dean and Glenda gave us a DVD camcorder and also a cookbook with family recipes (something I had been thinking of doing separately, so it really could not have been better timing!). Josh gave me some wine glasses, a "watching a girly movie package" (including dog bones, a candy bar, hot chocolate mix and a very soft blanket for two), and a comfortable "lounge set" of a jacket and pants.



I got Josh the last of the Sopranos DVD sets and the Mac OS Leopard for his laptop.



Josh's siblings got Guitar Hero - so we were both able to play that... and our skills could definitely be improved!



Later that day, we enjoyed a huge Christmas lunch with turkey, lots of sides and pies. After that, I tried to relax and read through cookbooks - but I continually attracted the canines!



At night, some more of Josh's family came over for dinner. The puppies were very excited, and it was nice to see everyone.



I'm thankful for... spending Christmas with our families.


Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel
Translated: John Neal, 1818-66

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times gave holy law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem,
From ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow'r to save;
Bring them in vict'ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Hymn # 31 from Lutheran Worship
Author: French Processional
Tune: Veni Emmanuel
1st Published in: 1854