My Christmas story

I have a story to tell, a story about me. Who am I? I am Ashley, I am 14 years old and I love Christmas! Last Christmas Eve I spent with my dad and stepmom and Christmas Day I spent with my mom and stepdad. I have two sisters, three stepbrothers, two stepsisters and one half sister. A very big family!

I love Christmas, especially the time off from school. We always have time to bake cookies at Christmas. It's one of my favorite things to do. We cut out all different shapes of cookies -- reindeer, bells, stars, snowmen and angels. As the cookies bake, it seems like years until we finally get the chance to put them to the test. M-m-m-m, delicious! What I love most about making cookies, though, is to make them together as a family.

I also love the snow and playing outside with my sisters, brothers and friends. We'll play outside all day, building igloos, snowmen and having snowball fights. We all have fun together and it's nice when we get along. When we finally get too cold to stay outside any longer, we go inside for hot cocoa and a movie.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, my two sisters and I get ready for an exciting day with my dad and stepmom. We arrive in time for brunch. After we eat, we get dressed to go to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The church is decorated with a Christmas tree and candles. I pray that church will go quickly. I'm excited for what I know is waiting at home, gifts to share.

Once we get home, my stepsister and her husband arrive, my dad gets the camera ready for family pictures and then, finally, the waiting is over. We take turns picking a gift for another member of the family to open. There are many presents under the Christmas tree, but we take our time and enjoy each gift. The ones with nice wrapping paper I unwrap slowly and carefully and put the bows in a box.

After opening our presents, we sit down and enjoy a big supper. I fill myself to the limit. Later, I rush downstairs to look at all my gifts. I feel so lucky to be able to share this time with my family and that I have so much. I stay up a little too late, but eventually, I fall asleep. Did I hear Santa?

Christmas Day, we wake up early to see if Santa has put little surprises in our stockings. They're always packed full with tiny presents and candy. I must have been a good girl this year!

Later in the morning, we go back to my mom and stepdad's house. We open gifts, enjoy a big lunch and spend the day together. It is so fun spending Christmas with my whole family. I love Christmas and so does my family. It's full of fun, laughter and lots of love. This is my Christmas story.