Christmas activities/ Christmas Eve

The week leading up to Christmas we moved into our new house.  We were excited to get in before Christmas, but new it would be a little crazy.  We didn't want to put up a tree, so grandma let us borrow one of hers, and she also brought a little one for Brecken to have.  He pretty much couldn't keep his hands off of it.  We made a trip to the mall to see Santa, and to the temple to listen to the Nativity, and look at all the nativity scenes in the Visitors Center.  It was a really mild night so we walked around the temple and looked at all the lights as well.  We had time to make some holiday goodies.  We made our homemade turtles, chocolate covered pretzels, holiday m&m cookie, and Sugar Cookies.  The kids love to decorate them.  So I let them go to town on a few of their own, then we make the other's look nice and pretty.  We also decorated our annual Christmas trees.  We love these so much better.  The kids get there own, and they aren't to big to eat.  They are the perfect size and so fun to decorate.  We left Shaylee's tree out to show Santa this year, and he was really impressed.  Brecken loved all the Christmas books, and I would find him in all sorts of places with a book looking at it.  We went around to look at Christmas lights, as well the Sunday before Christmas.  We took our Trusty 3d glasses, that change the lights to objects.  We have a Santa one, a bell one, reindeer, ornaments, snowman, angels, candy canes, snowflakes, and many more I can't think of.  We love taking them with us, and looking at all the lights.

The day before Christmas Eve it was such a nice day.  We had a picnic outside with the beautiful weather as requested by the girls.  Brecken loved being with the big kids, but of course didn't eat so well.

Christmas Eve we watched a couple Christmas shows,waiting for Dean to get off from work.  He had to work a half day, and then headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Eves house.  We had a yummy Christmas dinner, and Chocolate fondue fountain.  Then we moved onto the festivities.  First, the annual Eves family musical chairs; which is always a hit, and so much fun to do.  Really everyone should try musical chairs when they are older.  It's a blast.  Then we did our white elephant gift stealing game.  This is a must every year, everyone LOVES this game.  Brecken got Elsa and Anna fruit snacks, Dean got cologne, I stole makeup brushes.  Preston got a slinky and yo-yo.  Shaylee received a couple bags on bubble gum, and Addison got some type of treat as well.  We went home with a load of good stuff.  We sang a few songs about Jesus, and read the nativity story.  Then watched a few shows about the gift and the true meaning of Christmas.  I love this time of year, and love remembering the reason we celebrate this season, and sharing that feeling with my kids.  When we were all getting ready to go Grandma gave all the kids their Christmas Eve PJ's.  What a wonderful day and a wonderful time being with family.