Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was wonderful and laid back.  We didn't have to be anywhere all day.  So we cleaned the house a little, put a roast in the crockpot, and baked some cookies.  Oh, and of course we watched some Christmas shows and listened to Christmas music.

These boys loved helping with the cookies.

Later in the evening Scarlett came over and they each built a mini gingerbread house.

We also had dinner, Amelia finished hers then crawled up on a chair and started eating her brother's.  She really is a human garbage disposal lately.

After dinner and gingerbread houses we went next door to The Gallaghers' house for homemade hot chocolate and cookies.  It was a lovely little evening.

When we got home the boys went outside and sprinkled the reindeer food they made at school on the lawn. 

It was so cold they did it as quickly as they could.

Here is what the note said that was attached to the reindeer food.

Afterwards we laid cookies out for Santa.  Liam purposely arranged the cookies so Santa knew these were for him.  Liam was worried he might eat his gingerbread house, ha!

Then it was time to open their new Christmas books.  Something we have done every Christmas Eve is let them open a brand new Christmas book to read.

Colin's "How to Catch Santa"

Liam's "The Jolly Christmas Postman"

and Amelia's "The Itsy Bitsy Snowman"

So we read all the books and put the kids to sleep so Santa could come visit.

Chris and I stayed up and watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and wrapped lots of presents.  Disneyland put me a little behind but it wasn't too bad.  Here is what Santa brought the kiddos...

...and the rest of the gifts including both sides of the family.  We even were in bed by midnight!  It was a lovely day and night.  I love the anticipation of Christmas Eve!