Christmas Eve

For the past several years we have spent Christmas Eve with just our little family. We've thrown in a couple of trips to California, but it is quite difficult to get out there every year for Christmas.  It's taken some adjusting and creativity to make it still as special as it is when we are with our extended family. But it's given Aaron and I an opportunity to think of traditions we wanted to start with just us. This year, however, we got to include my parents and sister Susan. I must say, it's always just a little more fun when more are involved.

I slaved away all day preparing a nice turkey dinner. Ha! just kidding, I didn't really slave making the meal as much as I did cleaning my house. And it was just the main level that got cleaned. Upstairs looked like a bomb went off! Plus, Aaron prepared the turkey, so really my job was pretty easy as far as the food was concerned. It was delicious! Aaron makes a killer turkey! And moms potatoes are to die for! Yum!!

After a quick clean up of dinner, we bundled up to go caroling to our ward bishop who wasn't home. I love caroling. It's one of my favorite childhood Christmas memories and I LOVED having my parents with us this year so my kids could get a taste of how fun it was for me when I was a little girl. Alas, no one got to hear our angelic voices. (Another big Ha!) So back to the house we came to sugar up the kids as they made their own gingerbread houses. 

I think they each turned out pretty darn cute! 

Holland continues to be our Angel Baby. I don't think I heard a single peep out of her this whole night! She was perfectly content in Grandma's arms. 

And grandpa thinks she's pretty sweet too!

But who wouldn't in those adorable pj's?

The kids each opened Christmas jammies and donned them adorably. And then we read a sweet Christmas book. 

Then it was kisses and hugs and threats of going straight to bed to sleep so Santa could come. And sure enough, right before we went to bed, we quickly went downstairs and he indeed had come!

So we grabbed our angel baby and put her under the tree because she is the sweetest gift of all this year!

And to our GREAT surprise, quite by accident our ipad was left out and it accidently caught a picture of Santa leaving his gifts. 

I think the kids just might die in roughly 6 hours when they awake to see this! Merry Christmas!