Christmas Eve Traditions

We have always been full of tradition when it comes to Christmas.  I think it is one reason I love Christmas the way I do.  The night begins with some kind of family meal.  This has evolved over the years from desserts with the Wilcoxsin clan, to finger foods with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, to the big Christmas meal with family.  This is what we did this year - our full blown out Christmas dinner and it was wonderful as always!

Sweet LB is ready for dinner

Uncle Chuck is getting Carter ready for dinner.
Chuck made Carter this vest and it was a HUGE hit!!!

Games of all kinds are ALWAYS a part of the evening. 

After dinner and games, we headed back to our house to get ready for the jolly old man himself to come.  We had been tracking him all day and did one last look to see that he was getting closer and closer to us! So, the kids put out cake mix cookies they had made along with a Christmas Tree cake and a Dr. Thunder - for a little caffeine rush after all the milk!  The kids each wrote Santa something (which will be posted later) . . . .

hung up their stockings . . .

and read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas with Daddy.

Carter has been MOST enthusiastic about Christmas since Thanksgiving, so needless to say, he was a bit wound up Christmas Eve.  Santa obviously had gotten that message and called Carter that night.  He told Carter he better go to bed so he could come!  Whatever else was said, must have worked because Carter went straight to bed and was asleep in 10 minutes!!

Santa kept his word and came!  What loot he brought for Carter!  He wants everyone to see the Elvis Andrus jersey hanging! Santa's elves went to MUCH trouble to get this jersey!!! Thank you, Dallas, TX, elves for pulling through!!!

Laura Beth's loot . . . .  Mom and Dad want to say a special thank you to some secret elves who helped add to the kids' stash!  You helped make our Christmas especially bright this year and we will be forever grateful!

More proof that Santa did come . . . everything was gone from his plate and he left the sweetest note to the kids telling them how proud he was of them!  We really are beyond blessed with such amazing kids!

Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a

Good Night!