We have had such a blessed Christmas. I'm so thankful that the kids have kept the right perspective. I keep hearing the words, "It's not about presents...it's all about Jesus." Just like any other American kids, our children have certainly enjoyed giving and receiving gifts. I thank the Heavenly Father, though, that they have maintained the stance that the gifts aren't what it's all about.
This is Dad and me at the Providence Love Feast.
Jacob and Josh at the Nutcracker
Jacob and Josh- best bud cousins enjoying their new Spy Gear from Gran and Papa!
All of the cousins together for Tate Christmas- our 6 with Josh and Emily. They were trying to wait patiently for "present time" after the big Christmas Eve dinner!
Aunt Angela is from England. Way back when she was new to the family, maybe before Brian had even proposed to her, she started an English tradition in our Tate Christmases. We open Christmas crackers before the meal. She always brings them, and the kids are thrilled. Mary Liz and Angela are wearing their paper crowns from their crackers. Jacob got a whistle, and Mary Liz got jewelry.
Christmas morning we always have the kids wait at the top of the stairs for all 8 of us to be ready to walk down together. These 4 are currently the most anxious to get to the tree, so they hovered at the top while the rest of us prepared.
One of our favorite parts of Christmas is when the kids earn money to buy one another things. Here Jacob is proud of his pirate set that Victoria gave him. 
Comer family gift exchange is always fun, and a little hectic. Mark is the 4th of 5 boys, and our kids are 6 of 17 grandchildren. That can mean a lot of unwrapping, and very little leftover floor space! Mimi and Granddaddy are always so thoughtful and generous.
This is Dad and me at the Providence Love Feast.
On December 23 we went to see The Nutcracker performed by Carolina Ballet as a field trip with our homeschool group. An added bonus was getting to take my nephew Josh with us!
Jacob and Josh at the NutcrackerJacob and Josh- best bud cousins enjoying their new Spy Gear from Gran and Papa!
All of the cousins together for Tate Christmas- our 6 with Josh and Emily. They were trying to wait patiently for "present time" after the big Christmas Eve dinner!
Aunt Angela is from England. Way back when she was new to the family, maybe before Brian had even proposed to her, she started an English tradition in our Tate Christmases. We open Christmas crackers before the meal. She always brings them, and the kids are thrilled. Mary Liz and Angela are wearing their paper crowns from their crackers. Jacob got a whistle, and Mary Liz got jewelry.
All of us from my side of the family- the Tates. We took this picture with a timer right before heading to church for the Christmas Eve Love Feast Service.
Christmas morning we always have the kids wait at the top of the stairs for all 8 of us to be ready to walk down together. These 4 are currently the most anxious to get to the tree, so they hovered at the top while the rest of us prepared.One of our favorite parts of Christmas is when the kids earn money to buy one another things. Here Jacob is proud of his pirate set that Victoria gave him. 
Mom and Dad (Gran and Papa) always come by Christmas morning to see what Santa brought! Here they're holding Samuel, who's shooting with the gun set that Mary Liz gave him!
On the afternoon of Christmas Day we headed to
Mark's parents' house for Comer Christmas. Here Uncle Chris is holding Victoria and Samuel. They love Uncle Chris, and it was so good having him here with us!
Comer family gift exchange is always fun, and a little hectic. Mark is the 4th of 5 boys, and our kids are 6 of 17 grandchildren. That can mean a lot of unwrapping, and very little leftover floor space! Mimi and Granddaddy are always so thoughtful and generous. Christmas isn't about the gifts, it's about the greatest gift of all- Jesus. The gifts did make us feel so loved by family, though. What joy our memories of the holiday will bring us for years to come. I trust the same is true for your family!
Happy New Year from the Comers!
