Christmas Eve

We switched it up a little this year.  Tanner wanted to go bowling at Dixie Bowl, because it was cheaper and you could reserve lanes.  The only thing though was that they didn't open till 11:00.  So we didn't have to eat at kneaders tell 9:30 this year instead of 8:30.  Well that is were they trouble started.  The line was out the door.  We get to the front of the line, and they tell us they do not accept credit cards.  So we scramble to order everything on one bill and get our cash...between mom and I  we think we have enough, but then as she gives us a total she says they don't take anything over 20$.  What?  our total was almost 200$ and we had some 50$ and 100$'s lucky she told us we could use some 50's so we were able to make it we also helped the little family behind us as well because they only had 100$ bill as well.  We then waited almost a hour to get our food.  Once it came we all ate and had to hurry over to the bowling alley.  Once there they got us right on.  It was so much fun to play with everyone.  Landon and Brecken had the bumper pads, and they did awesome.  Brecken, Dean, and Lisa all won free bowling passes because they hit a special pin when it was up,  We ended up bowling 2 rounds so by the time we left it was 1:30.  We got home and I  started making my eat a wreath, and pretzel rolo bites, as well as a veggie tray and dip.  We left for our Eve's Christmas Eve party around 5:30.  We had soup, Jimmy Johns, chips, fruit, veggies, and rolls.  Tons of deserts.  lol.  After dinner we played our annual Reindeer games.  Steph puts this on every year and does such a fun and great job.  We were put into Teams.  My team was team reindeer Devin, Jaden, Me and Brecken.  Deans team was team Santa's. Dean Lisa Kendyll, Amy, and Laike. Shaylee's team was team wreath.  Grandpa, Shaylee, Marci, Tanner, and Landon.  Team Christmas tree was Addison, tynlee, Matt, Grandma, and Nate. We played Marshmallow toss, Matt's team dominated My team came in 2nd, we had to unscramble a picture and roll 6's to grab a letter and try and spell out our picture.  2nd on that one as well. Next we had to stuff nylons on our head with balloons we had to blow up and stuff to make antlers and yell out reindeer names. My team came in  first on that one.  AFter that we played Deal or no deal.  With No whammies also included in the suitcases.  My team had to answer a question and if we got it right we were able to choose a suitcase.  Then it went to the next team, so on.  After we all choose our suitcases we then had to answer a question right to remove a suitcase from the wall.  We were hoping we kept all the big money up on the wall and that ultimately our suitcase we chose at the first had a good amount.  I  think my team ended up with 50$.  Landon's team got 100$ Deans team got 25$, and so did Shaylee's team.  Addison's team got a wammy.lol.  After games we ended with the present stealing game.  I ended up with a bag of popcorn and a target gift card.  Dean got a 20$ bigshot gift card and treats, Landon got Salt and Vinegar chips with a big bag of rainbow airhead sores.  Brecken got pokemon, Shaylee ended up with kinetic sand, and Addison a little hand massager and money.  We then went upstairs for the nativity part of the night.  We read the story of the nativity from Luke, and the little kids helped Put together a nativity scene. We also watched the birth of our savior with a music video.  It was beautiful.  Mom then bore her testimony and told us how much she loved the lord. That was ultimately my favorite part of the night.  The calm, quiet,  nativity part.  When we left and came home we then opened our sibling presents.  At this time I  was missing Preston quite a bit and couldn't stop getting teary eyed thinking of him.   Landon went first and gave his gift to Addison, Brecken gave his gift to shaylee, Addison then gave to Brecken, and then Shaylee gave Lnadon his gift.  The boys both got art kits they had been wanting as well as some takis.  Addison and Shaylee got makeup wipes, mascara, lip stuff and a work our shirt.  We then talked the kids into going to bed at 9:30.  That was the best!! The boys slept in Shaylee's room and swore they heard santa on our roof a few times.  Shaylee said not a lot of sleeping happened that night.  We were all excited for Christmas and couldn't wait till it was morning.