Christmas Eve

Awe, Christmas Eve... Always built up in my head to be something that HAS to be spectacular. This year we were trying a new thing and having our own evening with just our little family. A little weird after years of lots of cousins, but still fun.

I think we spent $50 on food for the evening. We had shrimp, crackers and cheese ball, yummy sandwiches with all the fixings, eggnog, chex mix...I'm getting sick just thinking about it. Brent and I were stuffed--the kids didn't really touch anything. Note to self: Don't splurge on food for kids who are too excited to want to eat anything!

WHAT do you do to fill the time? We made gingerbread housesWe tried to have a movie and fire, but the kids were too anxious to get in bed to enjoy it. They kept getting up to check the Norad Santa Tracker to make sure they were still safe! Do you know how fast Santa can get from the tip of Europe across the ocean and down to the very tip of South America? Less than 20 minutes. The second the movie was over, my kids jumped up and were in bed and asleep before an elf had the chance to knock a warning on their windows! Brent and I were both amazed.

Here is the tree right after Santa left. Everyone had a wrapping present theme this year which worked out well. Lots of fun--but lots of pressure! We may opt for a few cousins next year! :)