~Christmas Eve Dinner and Program~

There was only one more sleep til' Christmas and the celebration was about to begin!  Time to get gussied up!  Elyssa loved the hot curlers and the beautiful ruby red slippers Erin and Ryan gave her for an early birthday present.  It matched her Christmas dress perfectly!

The table was set, the place cards placed, and my helpers were working hard, dutifully in the kitchen.  A big shout out to Robert who helped assemble and cook all that meat.  It was a greasy job and someone had to do it!

All the guests had arrived and we were ready to begin, but first a picture of all our awesome party guests.  Yay that the Welchs were able to join in with the family again this year!  Then their were toasts all around before we started in on our delicious meal.

Cordy was dressed up as well, though she has no hair for curlers. :-)  Erin was kind to get a picture of me with my handsome co-host. 

 On the menu for Christmas Eve: Roladin, caprese salad, green salad, egg noodles, roasted butternut squash, sparkling grape juice and peppermint hot fudge brownie sundaes.  All the food was amazing.

These two handsome guys make me smile.  Notice our elf, Buzz, in the background?  The kids were sad to say goodbye to him that night, but happy to know it was because Santa was coming.  :-)

Then it was time for our Christmas Eve program of scripture reading, carols, primary songs, and lots of picture holding by the little ones.  

As our program drew to a close, we continued our merry making with songs and a few special performances.  The kids each got up and did a little number of their choosing, Robert and Liz sang a lovely duet, and Nick even pulled out his saxophone for the first time in over 6 months.  He played really well and I was impressed with how easily he was able to pick it right back up. 

I love Christmas Eve with my family.  I love the excitment of the season, the spirit that can be felt, the peace and joy of knowing that the Savior is real.  He lives.  He loves us.  He came to earth and lived a perfect life and was the perfect example.   He died for us so that we can live with Him again.  Our family can be together forever.  

What a wonderful, beautiful thing.