Christmas Eve Traditions

For the past three years we have slept in our own beds on Christmas Eve.  It's going to take a lot of persuading to make me sleep any other place this magical night.  I love how we have been able to establish our own family traditions for this night.

(For the blog record- rainy, 50's, dreary weather day)

Tradition #1: Pretty basic, go to Christmas Eve service
We mixed it up a little this year by going to the Hettinger's church.  a) we wanted to be with our family  and b) they had nursery workers unlike the church we normally attend.   This is the event where the "party" dress comes out for Evie and some slightly hideous cute Christmas vest is put on Braylen.

Fancy party dress and sweater vest

We need a close up of slightly hideous cute Christmas vest

All of us thoroughly enjoyed the carol dominated service.  Evie stood on her chair to get a better view of the choir and the strings when they played

Evie standing is still probably shorter than
one of us sitting.

I was pretty sure this firecracker wouldn't last all service...

He made it about 1/2 way through before moved him to the play area

... but had higher hopes this duo would keep Evie in the service

Wrong!  We went from 4 kids in our row to 1 within 5 minutes.  Hey, that's reason (b) I went to this church.  I was disappointed Evie couldn't hear "Silent Night" since she likes to sing it with me at bed.  I'm sure it will be sung every year of her life at church...

And of course I attempted some cousin shots in their fancy clothes

work it girls

Who knows where Cole Bug is.  Probably searching for cookies or running down route 216.  Love that kid.

Tradition #2 Penny leaves us Christmas pajamas

We say good-bye to Penny before we leave for church knowing she will be gone when we return.  She leaves the kids a note and a gift, which is a new pair of Christmas pajamas.

Penny brought Christmas DVDs this year too

Opening up the pj box

Church clothes off, sleepwear on

Tradition #3 Watch a Christmas movie in our new pajamas.
Since we had dinner so early, we made a big batch of popcorn and had some other snacks.

Kiki joined the party too.
(No, Daddio did not wear his tacky Christmas sweater to bed)

I love having a two year old this year that can participate
in our fun!

Oh Daddio, that outfit!

Tradition #4: Prepare a snack for Santa and his reindeer

Evie arranges the apples for the reindeer

Admiring their work

A nice assortment.  Evie wanted me to
count the number of reindeer to make sure
there would be enough for them

With Parker already at G and Poppop's house, someone
else needs to fill the role of snack snatcher

Evie guards the snacks

Tradition #5 Read The Polar Express as a family before bed.

And to all, a good night!