Christmas Eve is always spent with Matt's side of the family. We're blessed to have both families close by and I love the 'schedule' we've developed for making sure we get quality time with both of them.
We usually head to the 'hosting home' in the early evening for some time to hang out before dinner. This year we had a rip-roaring game of Bunko (curteosy of the hostess-with-the-mostess, my SIL, Julie) ...
Travis & Ethan ... do these two look comfy or what. We were so happy to have Travis home with us for Christmas.
See what I mean ... this game was cah-razy wild. Just look at these guys? I'm not sure who looks more excited?!?! At least Great Grandpa can say it's because he's 90 and so over games like this. I don't know what my nephew's excuse was (maybe he was deep in thought about how to break the 'BIG NEWS' to us later in the evening).
After dinner (baked potato & chili bar this year) the kiddos (all two of them) get to open their presents. So spoiled these two ...
This picture is hilarious to me because E opened up his present from Uncle Mike & Aunt Julie and was SO EXCITED it was a pillow pet. He then exclaimed, 'It's a YAK!' Bwahahahaha ... or a monkey, but we all liked yak a lot better!
Look how coordinated we were? It's as if we planned it ... nope not at all. We don't share a lick of DNA, but our bond is just the same as if we did! And guess what? The BIG NEWS? Julie found out she was going to be a Grandma and I found out I was going to be a GREAT Aunt. I think we might still be in shock in this picture (future mama included), but we're all so very excited.
Our only Christmas family picture ... good thing I love it!
After dinner and kids presents we headed to church for a candlelight service and then back to the hosting house for our awesome (4th) annual holiday exchange. Everyone brings a gift priced around $20 and then we exchange 'white elephant' style. The presents get more and more clever each year.
This year I made a set of 'days of the week' dishclothes and ruffled kitchen towels. I packaged them up in a pie plate and included a jar of canned apple pie filling and a recipe for apple crisp. I came home with (2) candle trays and a candleabra. Love.
Matt made a pizza peel and included a $20 GC to Starbucks.
He came home with a different $20 GC to Starbucks. Love.
Then home to put out cookies and milk for Santa, carrots for the reindeer and a sprinkling of reindeer food to help them find our house (in our cute new Christmas Eve jammies).
Reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" (as I have done every year as long as I can remember) and then nestling into bed to await Christmas morning ...
Happy Sunday!
4 comments:
LOVE. And seriously, do you know how beautiful you are??! Those Christmas pictures are gorgeous of you.
xoxo
That is such a great family picture! I love it!
I'm glad you're recapping Christmas still. It sounds like it was wonderful and deserves a good recapping! I hope that means there's more to come soon! :)
I don't think you're behind at all! I have yet to post anything about our wedding, and it was nearly 6 months ago! I love hearing about your traditions, and the yak is killing me. Maybe it's distantly related to the dino-horse?
I almost didn't read it - as you fooled me with the title. I was thinking, wow - it has been a long time since you or Summer has posted. And of course - since I won't do facebook - I start getting withdrawal if I don't see something new at least once a week! Love the pictures, and the stories! Our E is one of a kind!
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