Christmas Eve

We have had a wonderful Christmas season. Our Christmas present was part of our airfare out here, and we feel so blessed to be able to be here with family. Last year we both felt a little sad that we were alone, even though it was still a nice little Christmas. This year was so much more about the boys and helping them to feel excited about Christmas. Asher definitely understands a little better what's going on with all the presents and Santa, but not so much about why we celebrate Christmas. That's our own fault though... all the times we spent talking about that as a family, the kids were in bed already. Next year, we need to make more of an effort to do a nativity and help him understand about the baby Jesus, and what a blessing he is in our lives.

Christmas Eve was filled with...

~Last minute train buying... Asher has been saying over and over that he wants a big train for Christmas, and it didn't dawn on me until Christmas Eve morning that maybe we should get him one, since we didn't really get him anything because they were getting a lot from grandmas. But I got super excited about it once I decided to do it, and found an awesome deal on a great train at Toys r us, that just happened to be in stock in our local store. We were basically meant to buy this train! ;)

~Lots of food preparation and cleaning,

~delicious food (ham, scalloped potatoes, salad and homemade rolls),

~extended family,

~and of course, our annual trip over to Aunt Jeanie's where we continue to eat and talk with cousins we don't get to see very much.


~We ended the night with the opening of new pajamas, the reading of the Christmas story in Luke, wrapping stocking stuffers and setting out all the presents in an aesthetically pleasing manner.


~The Christmas tree surrounded by gifts with the house lights all off, always one of my favorite sights.