Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve "day" was very busy for us. We had to make Santa's cookies, give both Nathan and Charlotte a bath, get both of us showered and ready, put Nathan's gift from Santa together (a new big boy bike), lay Nathan down for an early nap, get diaper bags packed, presents loaded, and have an early gift exchange with Wayne's mom...all before 2:30! Before going to my parents' house for Christmas Eve dinner, we were going to the candlelight service at our church. Plus we had to have time to take pictures before! Whew! I'm exhausted just remembering back to that day! Since I have TONS of pictures, I'm not going to write a lot of captions.

The first few pictures are of Wayne and Uncle Chris putting together Nathan's big boy bike while Nathan took his nap. When he woke up, Auntie Carrie helped me get both kids dressed and then we exchanged presents with Grandmother before going to church. Nathan got to open presents from Wayne's brother's family that Helen brought back after a visit with them. And he LOVED getting piggy bank money from Grandmother and a box full of balloons! Those have given him hours of fun!















Nathan and Charlotte both went to the service with us and were SO good! Luckily it was only about 45 minutes long...they both reached the end of their attention span just as we were lighting our candles and singin Silent Night :) The service was beautiful. The music was amazing, and I felt so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Afterwards, we headed to Mama and Papa's house for a chili dinner and to open presents. My sister Jennifer and her children, Alexandra and Robert, were there along with Carrie and Chris, Grandma, us, mom and dad, and Helen. It was a full house and full of fun! The kids started the night by playing "Hide the Pickle." This is a game we've played for years! Mom hides a pickle ornament and whoever finds it gets a money reward. Mom was very fair and let all of the kids get a chance to find it :)

Charlotte was awake for the first half, fell asleep on Papa, and then woke up in time for presents. After dinner, Nathan surprised everyone by putting on his Santa outfit to help pass out presents. He really played the part! He came out saying "HO, HO, HO!" And then had everyone take turns sitting on his lap while he asked what they wanted for Christmas. It was the cutest thing!

























Here is Nathan giving Charlotte her presents, a new flower bow, a pink poodle, and a snowman


This is the necklace we gave Carrie, don't you love it!


And Carrie and Chris gave me this makeup set...now I don't have an excuse not to look my best!








After we got home, Nathan got his cookies and milk ready for Santa...At first he wanted to put them under the tree and then was worried Santa would knock them over, so he and Daddy put them on the table. Good thinking Nathan!






And here is Daddy sampling the stocking stuffers after everyone went to bed :)