Christmas Eve

This is hands down my favourite day of the year.  I love all the excitement and anticipation of Christmas throughout the month of December...the hectic rush to get cards into the mail, visiting Santa, kids updating Christmas lists regularly, Christmas carols on the radio, decorations in the stores, baking cookies, boxes arriving daily on the front porch (I love online shopping).  But Christmas Eve is the best because the craziness is all behind you, the cards are in the mail, the gifts are all bought, house is cleaned and ready for Santa's arrival.  Christmas Eve at church is always so nice and peaceful, and this year our new church had a fun surprise for the kids, it snowed in the sanctuary (they used foam to get the effect, but it sure looked like snow falling!).

Opening their Christmas Eve gift...a tradition from my own childhood.  The kids have already caught onto the pattern (it's always new Christmas Eve pjs + book).

Decorating cookies for Santa (and themselves...)

It has been a different holiday season this year as we find our way in this new home.  Normally we go to my Mom and Dad's house on Christmas Eve to celebrate with my aunts and uncles.  I was sad to miss the party this year, skyping was great as I got to see everyone but definitely not the same as being there.  And I did have some tears during the church service as I thought about us being so far away from family and friends this holiday season.  But Kyle put his arm around me, I looked at my amazing family and couldn't help but feel blessed, which helped to dry the tears.

my crazy kids under the tree

lists for Santa

Then it was time to go home, get the kids into their new pjs and they have to put up with Mommy wanting pictures under the Christmas tree (every year...you think they would learn the faster they cooperate, the quicker I'm done!), decorate some gingerbread cookies (some to eat, some for Santa) and head up to bed.  It's magical being in the house late that night, the Christmas tree lit and everything ready for the next morning.  Before I know it, the kids are waking me up for Christmas morning!

cookies, stockings and lists all ready for Santa's arrival