Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve. We started our day with some baking and cleaning. Then that afternoon we went over to Scott and Jamie's house to let the kids have some Christmas fun with some of their Bishop cousins.

They made graham cracker gingerbread houses.

They played games.

Tye was broken hearted because he didn't "win" (middle picture), but in the end everyone got to open a present and all was well. We were only there for a couple hours and headed back to our own home. I think it was a great idea. It gave me a break from stressing out and it gave the kids something fun to do.

For the last two Christmas Eve's we have stayed home to start our own traditions with our children. This year being our third year you'd think we'd have it all figured out-- Nope! We are still trying to fine tune things, but we have a few things that we have decided on... a turkey dinner, act out the nativity and open a couple gifts. We'll see what the years to come bring as they get older and can stay up later!! Really, it's all about being together as a little family, enjoying each others company and remembering Christ. I just HAVE to stop procrastinating!! Let's see... last year was the first year we baked our own turkey... actually, first time EVER baking a turkey. We were running around town and set our oven to start at a certain time. Ha, ha! It didn't. We ate around 8:00 p.m.! So this year turned out a lot better. The only thing that didn't turn out as well as I would have liked was my pecan pie. Oh well. I didn't need all those calories anyway!! {If you have any fun Christmas traditions, I would love to hear about them.}

I didn't get pictures of the kids acting out the nativity, but they are on video. Rachel was the director and producer. Don't mess with her ideas! She gets the honor of being Mary every year. Tye was a shepherd and Kaden was Joseph. Haley was a wiseman along with me and then Tye switched roles to join us. Nate was our fine narrator and a lovely doll was our baby Jesus. It was a great night and the kids went to bed really well. Nate and I had some wrapping to finish up, but it didn't take long.

Christmas Eve is my very favorite. As a child it was so magical for me and I hope I can make it feel as magical to my children as my parents did for me.