Traditions - Christmas Eve

Every year after Christmas, I think that the next one wont be able to top it, and every year I am wrong. With Brianna almost 5 and Brice 2 they are the perfect age for all that Christmas has to offer. We started off the Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve with Brian's immediate family. We had a wonderful night and I think everyone got just what they wanted!

I baked a Ham and had all the works with it. Brice and Brianna got in their Christmas best and anticipated the arrival of Grams, Papa and Aunt Angie. They were so excited when they arrived, as you can see from the picture above, we all got spoiled!

Brice had to wear his baseball cap, then wanted Brian to put one of his hats on too. I am so glad that the kids tolerate all of the pictures I want to take of them. These turned out so great!

As tradition goes, the youngest gets to open the first gift then next youngest and so on until the oldest goes. Both Brice and Brianna were patient & grateful for everything they got. They were excited to watch everyone else open gifts and were even more excited to give the gifts they participated in making, buying, etc. I was so proud every time I heard, "Thank you!"

The boys really got spoiled and both were surprised and very happy with their gifts. Papa opened a bag with pictures of Coal in it and Brian opened a box with reindeer the kids had made and put clues on the back. Brianna thought both gifts that they actually opened were SOOO funny!

Love the towels that Great Grandma and Great Grandpa got for them!

Once all the gift wrap was picked up and the presents put together, it was time for jammies and getting ready for Santa. We read Roudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer while Brian was tracking where Santa was. After we heard that he was in Mexico, we hurried to get the cookies on the plate for Santa and Carrots for the Reindeer. We put the plate in the perfect place, brushed teeth and went to bed. The kids were so excited. I remember being a kid and feeling the anticipation, not being able to sleep, thinking I heard the reindeer hoofs on the roof & waking up early. It is a wonderful feeling to provide that same thing for our children.