Christmas with the Wiltbank's

Christmas was super this year! We spent the 23rd at Rusty and Amie's house. Every year we celebrate a different countries traditions. We have done this from the time we were little kids in the Bigelow home. We started with Italy and have gone pretty much around the World. If anyone is going some where special we usually host that as the country or place. We have done the States also. This year we did Italy again. I'm sure we have done that a few times. It was delicious. We ate and ate. It was too good!! We had fun choosing gift from a basket. We played lots of silly games. We missed a few family members but were glad that Shaelyn and Brian could make it all the way from South Carolina, they live a couple of hours from where Landon is right now in N.C. It is also my Dad's birthday so it is one big Celebration. I love getting together with my family. It's big, loud and fun! Just one thing is missing, Mom. Things will never be the same without her. We sure do miss her especially this time of the year. She made Christmas special.
Christmas Eve was spent with the Wiltbank's at Kami and Erick's home. They have a nice big home and we can spread out. Kami always is willing to share her home. We enjoyed eating Hawaiian haystacks and Root beer floats. We had fun with our White Elephant exchange. We've found out how to help the kids not have hurt feelings with the gift exchange...give bonafide JUNK! No out of pocket money, true junk from the house. It was fun to see what people were willing to get rid of. We decided to give stuff that wasn't even worthy of a yard sale and no one walks away wanting anything. It was great fun. Grandpa Bill shared a spiritual thought of Christ which set the Christmas mood right.
The kids had a hard time getting in bed. Excitement was to much. We woke to Santa coming. He did a good job and I think everyone was pleased. Macie and Jaxten both got guitars, I think we will now have a Wiltbank band. Brayden was happy with his own T.V. to play new Xbox games on and so are we if you know what I mean! The noise stays in his bedroom.
The greatest and best Christmas gift came at 8:00 am. We got our phone call from our missionary. It is the most wonderful thing a parent can experience, hearing your child's voice. We tried to talk and hold back tears. Landon sounded so good and happy. He said that he is having one of the best Christmas' ever. He said that the members have been so kind. He had to make 3 trips to his car on the Sunday before Christmas, just to load his presents from the members. He said that he now has his 2 year supply of toothpaste and deodorant. We were able to talk to his companion. They both sounded so good. That was the best gift of all!!