Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve this year was all about time together. Mom, Kristie and I went out early to grab a few last minute things for dinner, but the rest of the day was spent getting everything ready and hanging out at home.

One of my favorite parts was working in the kitchen all together. It's fun having all the girls together talking and laughing while we get the food ready. Our family has had a tradition for as long as I can remember of doing a special candle-lit dinner with mom's china on Christmas Eve. We haven't been home for Christmas for a few years, so we were especially excited about it this year.

The boys were pretty excited about having their own table with Christmas china and their very own candle.

After dinner, the kids had a quick bath while we cleaned up. Then Tom and Jeff had some fun with the girls- patty-cake with feet.

Emily also provided some entertainment by showing off her tricks. She loves doing flips and standing on Jeff's hands. This girl has no fear. Whenever she was up doing her tricks, she would call out to me or anyone else around, "Look!" It was so cute to watch. The hard part was convincing her it was time to stop, she would do it forever.

Emily has also discovered the thrill of riding the rip stick with Grandpa. She loved chasing the boys around the kitchen.

After everything was cleaned up. We had our special Christmas Eve program. We sang Christmas songs, and read the nativity story. The kids had fun acting it out, although it probably wasn't the regular story. First no one wanted to be the donkey, then Matthew & Caleb both wanted to be the donkey, then Emily-who was supposed to be a shepherd-decided she wanted to ride the donkey, meanwhile Lilah tossed the doll out of the manger and hopped in herself, then Emily decided that looked like fun and hoped in the manger too. Anyway, although it wasn't a typical reenactment of the nativity, it was definitely an entertaining one- much to the amusement of siblings who don't have children yet. And it was still very much a sweet, and spirit filled evening.
We got the kids to bed soon after, and turned on "It's a Wonderful Life" while we finished up everything for Christmas. Everyone finished their wrapping, Becca helped me wrap some last gifts, and Mom, Lacey and I set up all the stockings and arranged the living room. Jeff & Travis were very helpful...
We probably got to bed a little late considering we had church at 9am the next morning, but it was a wonderful Christmas Eve, and it sure looked great after Santa came and visited.