Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a good day!  I started my day at physical therapy from recent knee surgery (a week ago) and then we went to John's moms' house for lunch.  Olivia had a ton of Christmas spirit this year.  I think this is the first year that she got it.  She knows the reason for the season, but also was able to embrace the Santa side of Christmas.  For her other 3 Christmas' home she has been timid, scared to open presents and even scared of the stuffed Santa we have at our house.  She has had an absolute BLAST this year!  She woke up asking where Skippy her elf was each day and searched quickly for him.  She was so excited to do our Christmas Eve traditions.  It seems like our church changes their service time each year and I honestly had no clue what time they were offering it this year.  We missed it, but we spent time with family.  That is something I want to do with my family as I can still see Mrs. B. Snell telling the story of Baby Jesus.
The Sunday before Christmas Eve we had Christmas at John's dads' house.  I didn't get to go since we had already done some Christmas things at his mom's and my knee was very swollen at that point. I did get periodic pictures!

Olivia got to help get the sweet potatoes ready for lunch at Nana's with all of John's extended family. 

Off to Daddy-Bud's

John's step-mom, Connie, knitted a beautiful cardigan and hat for Olivia as well as a hat for Easton!

I can only think of one thing when I see this picture.....my Granddad!  He sure would have loved all these great grandkids!

We had a big meal at Nana's house and then opened presents.  I somehow snuck in a quick nap after presents.

 Oscar is seriously distraught here.  Nana always gives him gifts, and he always finds them.  Somehow, they got lost in the shuffle of everything.  She looked for over an hour and couldn't find them.  I felt bad for my little fellow! 

We then headed to mom and dad's house.  My sister was suppose to be there by now, but due to the yucky stomach bug that I had the week before hit both nieces.  For Christmas Eve it had hit Adeline. She felt so bad.  She even had to be separated during cookie making.  But, we celebrated nonetheless.

He started out really well, then emptied three bottles of sugar on one cookie....and ate most of it unbaked.  Second child....need I say more?! 

(See above....just starting, and below....half eaten and covered in sugar!  Same cookie.)

Separated to the other side of the kitchen, but she still got to participate. 

After dinner and cookie making we headed to the den to open our annual pjs.  We use to get a nutcracker, but all 3 of our houses are full of nutcrackers, so mom gave the kids a book.

 Finally we headed home to get ready for Santa.  First we had to tell Skippy goodbye.  That didn't go so well.  John and I had to clean up upstairs for Santa to come and didn't make it to bed until 3:30.  Good grief!!  No worries, our kids slept til 9:30, but were ready for presents Christmas morning!!!