Christmas Eve

As we do every Christmas Eve (which happens to be one of my favorite days of the year!), we went to the Christmas Even service at our church followed by a party with my family.  This year, we celebrated at my parents' house, along with 57 other of my family members.  It's alway fun to have everyone together!  We enjoyed what I consider all the best foods served in one night!  Everyone brings one snack/appetizer type dish as well as a sweet treat.  Dips, little sandwiches, deviled eggs, fudge, cookies and chocolate carmel dipped pretzels... what's better than that?

 Chase, Hudson and Luke

 All of the boys and AnnaBelle

 AnnaBelle, Hudson, Chase and Josh

When we arrived home that evening, we sprinkled reindeer food out for Santa's nine furry friends.  Then the boys set out a plate full of goodies for Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Ever since the breakfast with Santa, Hudson loves Mrs. Claus.  He wasnted to make sure that she was coming to our house and that she had a glass of milk.  I told him that Mrs. Claus did plan to join Santa this year to help because he had lots of extra gifts to deliver (and she is much more organized)... There must have been lots of good little boys and girls this year!  I have to admit that this holiday has been extraordinarily busy!  I made those Cookies for Santa jars for all of our friends and then didn't have a chance to make them at our house this year.  Although we skipped it this year, baking cookies for Santa with the boys is definitely a tradition I want to continue! I will just have to make a conscious effort to set aside time for this in the future.  The boys didn't care at all, they put out various goodies for the Mr. and Mrs. to enjoy.  It was a good choice because they were a hit!  Many of the treats were eaten with only traces left, and Santa left the boys a nice note the next morning thanking them for being so kind to leave the cookies and reindeer food.