Christmas Eve

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Christmas Eve was a really lovely day and nice that we could be home together. Unlike some other years, the kids were in good moods and excited for all the festivities! These really are wonderful ages! They are mature enough to understand what is happening and young enough that they enjoy all the magic. 
We went to Christmas Eve mass twice! Once for the children's pageant and a second time for choir and handbells! The two services were actually very different since one was all about the kids and the afternoon went by pretty quick. 
Love these cute choir kids and how the kindergarteners in the front row are working so hard to look at their hymnal! The kids sang beautifully and brought so much joy to the service.

We had a sort of intermission between the two services and we decided to snap a few pictures.




Charlie and Olivia joined the children's pageant as angels. 


Sarah Graves was a hard working kid! She helped narrate the children's pageant (and did an outstanding job); she sang a solo of Once in Royal David's City (she sang out with a clear and beautiful voice); and she played handbells and sang with the choir. She was proud of the good job she did and our hearts were bursting with pride to see our little girl have so much courage to share her talents with so many. 

Sarah Graves is growing up so quick, but I love that she is still a sweet, little girl and I get to dress her that way.

After the services, everyone came to our house for dinner. 





Lovie had a great idea and helped the kids earn money to go to the dollar store and pick out gifts for everyone in the family. The kids took so much pride in giving their gifts and were truly delighted to watch each person open theirs. 


We ate our delicious spaghetti and meatballs for dinner!

Aaron made a chocolate mousse cake that was absolutely divine and looked so cute with mushrooms! We had visions of making a bouche de noel cake, but when we couldn't get the cake to roll, we punted and made it into a stump instead!

We left Santa his favorite cookies, snickerdoodles! I am so grateful that he shared that with us so we have a reason to always make my favorite cookie!

Then, the kids were ready to get to sleep to wait for Santa! 


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