Christmas Eve

     Christmas Eve turned out to be a busier day that I had anticipated, but it was a good day and we were able to get everything done we needed to and enjoy being together as a family. 

Carson and Mike went to play basketball in the morning and the younger kids and I made cookies for Santa.  This picture of helpful little Elliot was taken just before he threw flour at Mason (and then was told "no, no" and taken off the chair which he climbed back on and threw flour at Mason again and this process was repeated several times).

These two were great helpers and enjoyed cutting out different shapes.  We decorated them later in the afternoon with Carson.


    As soon as the boys got home, he headed over to see my Grandpa E. and Grandma Billye.  Grandpa wasn't feeling up to going to Christmas gatherings this year, so they invited families to come one at a time to visit so that Grandpa could be in his own home and with smaller groups.  When we got there, they had a whole spread of food out and we had a nice time visiting with them.  It was special to have time with just my family and Grandpa and Grandma Billye and I was really glad that we went (so was Carson despite the look on his face in this picture).
     After leaving their house, we headed straight to the dollar store for the siblings to do their buying for each other.  Every year they have a chance to use their own money (they can do extra chores to earn it) to buy each other and Mike and I gifts.  This year, Carson had won a gift card at school (which is a whole other story) and had bought his siblings presents with that, but Mason and Abby had their money and wanted to pick things out.  This is a fun family tradition and the kids love sneaking around the store trying not to let each other see what they have in their baskets and carts.
      When we got home, Mike had to go do some last minute Christmas shopping.  I laid Elliot down, the kids decorated the Santa cookies, and I started straightening up and getting things ready for our Christmas dinner and program.  When Mike got home, I took the three big kids to do some Christmas deliveries while Mike started making dinner.
       In the end, we managed to get everything done and we enjoyed a delicious dinner (cooked mostly by Mike) with my parents and brother.  Afterwards, we acted out the nativity, had a little Christmas devotional, and exchanged gifts with my parents.

The wise man and a shepherd waiting for their turn.

Mary and Joseph and the camel coming into Bethlehem.

Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, a wiseman, and two shepherds.

Our wiggly wise man.

 Abby and Rebbecca in their matching outfits from Grandma and Grandpa.

     After my parents and Mat left, the kids watched a video sent in an email from Santa, checked again where he was online, sprinkled the reindeer food outside, listened to Mike read "Twas the Night Before Christmas," and then Elliot went to bed and the big kids had a sleepover in the bonus room where very little sleep took place for a long time (I had to go in their numerous times to get them calmed down).   Mike and I were up until a little past midnight wrapping the kids gifts and watching "A Christmas Story" ("You'll shoot your eye out!") which has become our tradition. 

 The four greatest gifts I have ever received.

Elliot wasn't that interested in doing a hugging picture. 

Each of the three older kids chose their favorite cookie they had decorated and put it on the plate for Santa.  Mason and Abby had taken a long time on theirs and were very concerned about making a good one for the big guy. 

Abby made reindeer food at her class party in school and was kind enough to let all her brothers have a chance to shake it out onto the walkway also. 

Elliot was pretty excited to be allowed to stay with the big kids in the bonus room for the story.  Maybe next year he will be big enough for the sleepover.

Santa came! (I think it's funny that both Mason and Abby asked for a tent, but Abby wanted one for her dolls and Mason wanted one for himself) 

I love the way the house feels right before we finally go to bed Christmas Eve.  It's all cleaned up, the Christmas lights on, everything is ready to go for the next day.  It just feels magic.