Christmas Eve

Christmas seemed to sneak upon us pretty quick this year. We got a Christmas tree and decorated, which the boys LOVED! Our tree looked a little silly because the top half was covered with ornaments while the bottom half only had lights. I am assuming that is how it will be for at least the next five years so we are just getting use to that.

Christmas Eve we had Jeff, Jessica, the kids and the missionaries over for dinner and fun. I was still fighting the "flu bug" I got at the beginning of the month and was not feeling well. For dinner we made a yummy roast, rolls, veggies, salad and a sprite/sherbet drink. I think everyone enjoyed it. I on the other hand did not. The smell of the meat cooking made me sick and shortly after eating carrots and having some drink, ran upstairs to throw up!

One thing I do love about the holiday season is baking. This year we seemed to be too busy so the only time I got to make sugar cookies was Christmas Eve. I thought it would be something fun for the kids to do after dinner. They seemed to enjoy decorating cookies for Santa, the missionaries even joined in on the fun and made some cute cookies.

The Missionaries showing off their fancy cookies.

Jake wanted to make sure the cookies were safe for Santa to eat. Good job decorating!

Jace was concentrating very hard on getting that frosting on just right!
Looks like Sebastien liked decorating too.
Sebastien and Jake eating frosting and having lots of fun.

After the cookie fun, the missionaries shared a very special message with us. They talked about the birth of our Savior and the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I know my boys didn't understand the whole thing but they laid on the floor with their cousins at least pretending to understand. It was another great night with the missionaries and after their message they had to leave.

Jadyn, Sebastien, Jake and Jace listening very carefully to the missionaries talk about Jesus.

I really wanted to continue with the Christmas Eve tradition of playing the dollar game. Jeff and Jessica brought the gifts and we all sat around in a circle to play. I never thought that game could be a quick one. Growing up it always lasted for at least 30 minutes and I think we were done this year in 8. Everyone still had a lot of fun, maybe next year we will have more family around to celebrate with. Jeff, Jessica and the kids had to head home shortly after our game because it was late and they still had about a two hour drive home.

We did our own little family thing before going to bed and let the boys open up their Christmas jammies. They were so cute and very excited for Santa to come. Sebastien had a hard time staying in his bed because he wanted to see Santa and we ending up having to put the baby gate up in his doorway.

Sebastien was too excited about opening his present to look at the camera. I think you can still see how excited he really was.

Manti had no problem smiling at the camera.

Here are the boys showing off their jammies. So cute boys, now time for BED!

Once the boys were asleep some friends came over to hang out and help wrap the final presents. We had such a great time visiting with them and are very thankful for the friends they have become.