Christmas Eve

We enjoyed a delicious Christmas Eve feast at Matt's parents house.  Every year we read, "A Star in the Pasture."  It is tradition.  Matt's family read it when they were kids on Christmas Eve.  This year John put the pictures from the story on a big screen so everyone could see!

We also had a Slipper Exchange!  Everyone drew names and gave slippers!

Ella had a rough night, she was sick with a bad cold.  She cried all through dinner.  The only thing that made her happy was Carol's singing mouse decoration.  All the kids love it, the adults, not so much.  It sings, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in a high pitched mouse voice and her nose lights up.  We played it over and over again so Ella wouldn't cry.  Then, she finally fell asleep.

At home later, all ready for bed in their Christmas Jammies!

S A N T A

Kylie and Ella went to see Santa!  Kylie talked his ear off and told him she wanted "a mermaid bath castle" for Christmas.  Ella stared at Santa for a minute, then turned and looked at me for her picture.  No tears, but no big smiles either.

Kylie was all about Santa this year!  She told me she was going to kiss him when she went to see him.  I was afraid...we had several discussions about NOT kissing Santa.  I told her she could hug Santa.  Luckily, all she did was hug him - twice!

I took this picture later that day at home, I just could not resist the matching sweater photo.

Matt's Lights

Matt did an exceptional job putting up Christmas lights on our house!!  Kylie called it a gingerbread house.  The lights looked amazing and they added much Christmas cheer to our street.  The neighborhood committee voted our lights First Place again this year!!  Matt is two for two in the light decorating contest.  The neighborhood rewarded Matt's efforts with a giftcard, he considered buying MORE lights!

This last photo was some of our "competition."  I especially liked how they wound the extra rope light around the bench on their porch.  Why not?