Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve this year we were invited to John's brother's house for a "Hughes traditional Christmas Eve."  We made pizza, played games, visited, drove around and looked at the lights,and the kids got to open Christmas Eve Jammies.  Always a fun highlight.  John had Ian convinced that we didn't buy them pajamas this year.  We got them to Shlisa beforehand and she put them under their tree with their kid's gifts.  When they were handed out and opened, Ian went over to Aunt Shlisa and said "Thanks!"  She said, "I didn't do that--your mom and dad did!" It was pretty funny. LOL

Here is our traditional in front of the tree in their new jammies picture. (Taken after we came home--notice Micah is sleeping--he fell asleep looking at lights.)

I guess I'd better throw in at least one picture of our Christmas tree this year.  Notice how it is decorated on the top half only?  That is thanks to Eli who wouldn't leave the ornaments alone, us taking them from him and placing them out of his reach.  I think the bottom half was decorated for about 2 days before it began looking like this. LOL

We started a fun thing last year with the kids.  We started drawing names for the kids instead of having them get something for everyone.  They each get a nicer gift that way. (We give them a $10.00 limit.)  Last year we let them open their gifts from eachother on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning.  We found that it let them be excited about what they gave/got from each other and gave them a chance to play with it instead of it being just another gift thrown on the pile, not remembering who it was from.  We decided to continue with that new tradition this year.  Eli had Ian's name and got hime football.  It came with a pump and a stand.

Zander had Morgan and got her a "Fur Real" puppy that wags it's tail and moves it's head. Morgan named him Oreo.  She also got a new Littlest Pet Shop.

Morgan drew out Zander and found him this nerf gun.  He was so excited.  He was even more excited when we put batteries in it and he found out that it has a laser target. (It does not make noise much to Mom and Dad's relief!)  She also got him a lego farm set that has a pig and a dog in it.

No amount of coaxing could wake up Micah to open his present so we just waited until the next morning. (Ian had his name and got him a Trio Blocks Farm set with a Tractor and Trailer.  Grandma & Grandpa Millett gave him some Trio Blocks for his birthday and he has had a lot of fun building with them so it should be a fun addition.)

Micah had Eli's name and bought him this little car track.  The cars flip over and over as they go down the track and come out a different color than when they went in.  He thought it was pretty great!

Well, that was Christmas Eve in our family. :) It was a good night with lots of fun, laughter, and smiles.