Christmas Eve

We thought we would share some of our family Christmas Eve traditions with everyone. We have had a great holiday season and hope it has been the same for all of you. We actually kicked off the festivities on Monday the 17th with Christmas chimes (I'm sorry I forgot to take pictures, but my head is still ringing). On Friday we continued with our annual family Christmas sleepover. As you can see below, this is basically us pulling the mattresses out into the family room, watching Christmas movies, staying up into the wee hours, and eating lots of treats.

Alexandria catching some air
after jumping off the piano bench

The Littlest decided she's into it too

The ladies getting ready to watch
some Christmas flicks

For Christmas Eve we relaxed for most of the day. At around 4:30 we had our big feast and then we watched the Nativity DVD. The girls opened up their new Christmas pajamas and then we danced to the Nutcracker (if anyone ever brings this up in public I have no recollection :-)). After the dancing we were ready to eat again, so we decorated our gingerbread houses. All in all it was a great day. The girls are very excited for Santa's visit. It's a good thing that they have to be asleep for him to come. Speaking of which, I'd better sign off so the big man himself can get his work done. Merry Christmas!

Getting ready to eat some food

The candle is on "twenty fourteen" tonight

Some dancing with our two
sugarplum fairies

Alexandria pulling off some
gnarly aerials

All of this sugar just for me?!

How many pounds of candy
can my house support?

Betsy is a fan of the gingerbread
sans candy

There's mine, less the gummy bears
I had to relinquish to Alexandria
(I guess I shouldn't have taken the last couple)

This is a little snippet of the after-bath scenario
with Elizabeth. Let go of her at your
own risk.