Christmas Eve Eve

      Growing up, we always celebrated Christmas Eve with the D family.  As us grandkids have grown older and married and with so many different holiday schedules, we have moved this celebration to the 23rd, which we know refer to as Christmas Eve Eve.  Basically, we get three days of Christmas.  And I am more than okay with that.  

      After our traditional chili (yes, chili) dinner, we always have a program where each family can share a song, skit, story, etc.  Our kids sang the primary song, "Christmas Bells are Ringing."  They were the first to perform and than sat down to watch everyone else.  Well, two of them sat down anyways.  It was Mason's first taste of performing and apparently he was hooked.  

Here he is taking part in our family song (look at that look on his face).  

Next, he stood up there with Jer and Miriam family's.  Uncle Doug tried to gently redirect him, but he insisted on staying in the spotlight.

And when there was no one performing, he simply stood center stage smiling and clapping for himself.

And when the keyboard was brought in for some of cousins to play their piano pieces guess who wanted a part of that too?  

After the program, we opened a couple of presents, had dessert and visited while the kids played.  It was a wonderful night and I am so glad that we have continued this tradition.  It's such a full circle moment watching my children experience and participate in the same traditions that I did as a child.  

My cute little reindeer and elf (we started the evening with Little Man wearing a Santa hat saying he was Santa, Kiwi was his reindeer and Mason was deemed an elf because he wouldn't leave anything on his head).

With these two it can go from smiles to this in .2 seconds.  And it takes about another .2 seconds for Mason to progress to screaming.  Sometimes Big Sister just loves him a little bit too much.

Kiwi and Auntie Paula.

Little Man and Great Grandpa D.