~Christmas Eve 2012~

We are blessed that Nick has a job where they automatically give you Christmas Eve off and we were happy to have him home!  We made crepes for breakfast before heading out to Monkey Joes (an inflatable bounce house gym) for some energy burning fun.  After lunch and naps we went to the Welch's house for a delightful Christmas Eve dinner.  While Greg read the Christmas story the kids acted out the Nativity.  Some of them were much more into than others.  Elyssa took her role as Mary very seriously.  Then we watched The Grinch before wishing our dear friends a Merry Christmas and heading home.  

As soon as we got home the kids got to open their new Christmas Jammies from Grandma Lael and Grandpa Stuart.  They were so excited!

They were more than willing to model their new pajamas for us.

Afterwards we had the kids give each other their sibling gifts.  It is always so much fun helping the kids pick out something special for each other and see how excited they are to give their gifts.  Alec was particularly excited to give Cordy the little Chewbacca (or as Cordy lovingly calls him "Chewy") for Christmas.  It was actually the only thing she asked for and she was over the moon! 

After all the excitement of a few new presents, we settled in and read the Christmas story and "The Night Before Christmas" before putting out Santa's cookies and carrots.  

We let all three kids sleep together in the girls room, knowing their excitement would need to be contained to one area.  They snuggled up and fell asleep.  As Nick and I turned down the lights and stared at the beautiful Christmas tree with the children's nativity set up I couldn't help but feel so warm and happy and blessed to have my family, to have the gospel, and to know that my Savior lives and loves me.