We never have anything to during Christmas Eve day. This year we saved all our cookie baking, gingerbread house making, and crafts until Christmas Eve. Next year, I hope to expand on the idea, and have some friends join us for brunch and a Christmas Eve playdate!
The kids and I were busy! We made chocolate chip cookies for Santa, peanut butter kiss cookies (our favorites!), cutout sugar cookies, a gingerbread house, reindeer food, and pinecone Christmas trees. While we worked, we talked about the TRUE meaning of Christmas and all the real gifts we were given this year.
Liam eventually fell asleep, Dylan grew bored, and Lily took a nap, but Lexie stayed by my side the entire time!
Dylan eventually rejoined us to decorate some cutout sugar cookies.
Before we knew it, Grant arrived home, and it was time to leave!
Our first stop was at my sister Andrea's house to celebrate with my family. There was food to eat, presents to open, a hockey game in the basement, cousins to play with, and lots of snuggles for Liam! One thing is certain: there is so much love in my family!!!
All too soon, it was time to head out. Our next and final stop was at Grant's Nannie's house to celebrate with his family. It is a lot quieter there with a much smaller crowd.
We keep the same traditions every year. First, we give the kids a little gift from Grant and I. They are always so excited and it keeps them occupied while we eat and talk!
Every year, Grant's mom buys the kids a special ornament to hang on our tree. Dylan and Lexie get just as excited to open their ornaments! This year Dylan got a Toy Story dinosaur, Lexie got a holiday barbie on a sled, Lily got a fairy that looks just like her, and Liam got a pair of Baby's First Christmas booties.
After all the other presents are exchanged with Grant's family, we give the kids their new Christmas pajamas. They excitedly open them, and promptly change into them!
Everybody quickly grew tired. Including Grant and I, thanks to my wrapping all nighter and Grant's long day at work.
We said our goodbyes, loaded the kids into the car, and drove home to the usual, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" banter in the backseat.
The kids switched gears as soon as we arrived home. They sprinkled reindeer food in the yard, put out milk and cookies for Santa, then climbed into bed, practically exploding with excitement for Santa's arrival!
It wasn't long before they were nestled all snug in their beds.
Sure enough, Santa arrived!
I felt so blessed this year. I was surrounded by my family and inlaws, Grant, Dylan, Lexie, Lily, and my precious new baby, Liam. Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the year!
You all do a lot on Christmas eve! The kids are all so cute.
ReplyDeleteI love your cooking baking idea on Christmas Eve! Also, how did you get Santa in your picture?! So cool!
ReplyDeletesounds perfect to me! that's usually how our kitchen things or they leave me!! ha!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful holiday recap and what an amazingly loving and beautiful and blessed family you have!!!
ReplyDeleteI love Dylan's look on his face when he got Sin Cara!! Eli was SOOO into WWE last year. He has moved onto Lego Batman now, but I boxed up all of his WWE stuff in case he gets back into it at a later date. You really should look into taking him to a live event. We went to Monday Night Raw and had GREAT tickets. It was about $50 a person and SO worth the money. Rick and I had just as much fun, if not more, than the kids. Great fun!!!
ReplyDeletelooks like a great day!
ReplyDeleteYou are always so cute with your kids' outfits! The girls look adorable, and so do the boys ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the shot with Liam's big grin!
~Sara
I'm not sure how you let them pop the bubble-wrap, I always take that stuff and run and hide with it so the kids can't touch it! Best stress relief ever! :0) Such a wonderful day for all of you!
ReplyDeletesounds like a great Christmas Eve!!! We made cookies this year at my parents!!!
ReplyDelete