Christmas Eve

Growing up I remember loving Christmas Eve almost, if not just as much as Christmas Day. It was that final day of preparation and anticipation for what was to come. Once our mom instituted the rule that no one was allowed to wrap presents on Christmas Eve (which is now a rule in our house too), the day was centered around simply family time and togetherness before the focus shifted to the chaos of opening gifts the next morning. 

We did a lot more baking this year. I have really stepped up my sugar cookie game from two years ago. We made 4 different kinds of cookies (not all on Christmas Eve), and I made my first homemade pizzas, which was also a tradition of ours growing up. It helps that I have a girl who loves being in the kitchen and is constantly encouraging me and asking if she can help.

Bonnie was excited to make reindeer food to sprinkle outside.

Is it even Christmas without matching jammies?

We had been cooped up in the house for a few days given the frigid temperatures the week leading into Christmas. We decided to get everyone bundled and try to go for a little walk for some fresh air. It took about 30 minutes to get everyone layered, snapped in, and ready to ride.

The walk lasted 9 minutes before the littlest one just couldn't take it anymore. We didn't even make it to the end of the street before we turned back around. 

At least birdy got to put her reindeer food out.

My pizza dough rose and turned out much better than I anticipated. I completely forgot to get a picture of the finished pizzas. 

We went to the Christmas Eve service, which was beautiful as always. 

We came home to eat our pizza and watched the Grinch.

We got in our matching jammies and set out cookies for Santa. 

Benny read The Night Before Christmas to the kids before bedtime. 

Then it was time for these munchkins to go down for a long winter's nap while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.