Are We There Yet???: Christmas Eve '09

This Christmas Eve was like many others we have done, which I like. I like a sense of tradition and normalcy. I'm not big on change, so when things are exactly the same as the year before, that's a good year for me! Last year was the different year, where Dustin read the Christmas story (and freaked out my kids.. hehehhe), but this year we were back at UBC (wonder why?? j/k Dustin...). I enjoy the "kid-friendly" service and the kids seem to like it. Although, I know visions of tearing open gifts are in their heads the entire time. It was kind of funny because it had rained for a couple of days before and on Christmas eve. The grounds were all muddy and just basically mush, so I guess they couldn't put out the nativity set. So, when we all get to church Noah looks at me and says, "Hey, Mom!? Where's that baby Jesus set up??" (I promise he goes to church.. and fairly regularly!!) For some reason, that made me laugh. Set up?? really?? Anyways, so we went to the Christmas Eve service and then came back to our house this year (in the midst of all that my mom managed to lose her purse.. but she also lost her voice... she isn't good at keeping up with things apparently! They eventually found her purse at the church). Anyways, I made potato soup, and Meg brought over Chili and we enjoyed a "relaxed" dinner (if you consider a 3 year old and 6 year old running around the house and begging to open up presents relaxed.. meanwhile a 7 week old is crying and an 18 month old just wants to go to bed.... you get the picture). We finally got to the presents and of course, all got spoiled. My parents got Chris and me a wii! It's been a blast to play with..... not sure who is getting more use out of it! ha! The kids big gift this year from both aunts and uncles and sets of grandparents was a playground for the backyard. They LOVE it. Mom loves it, too!! They have already spent countless hours on it outside, and I am hesitant to say, I might have a bit of sanity back.. only a bit though. Again, I will post pics of it soon. Thanks guys, really. The kids LOVE it!

The coolest part about Christmas eve was the way MY present was wrapped. Nobody else got pretty wrapped presents from my mom this year (just ask her.. she was a bit "grinchafied"), but I DID!!! WAHOOOOO!! WHO IS THE FAVORITE THIS YEAR.. MEGAN??? WHO??? if you will recall last years post... you will see that everybody had pretty presents wrapped by my mother, except her own daughter. well, she made up for it this year!!!

Isn't she beautiful???? the lights.. the name.. gorgeous!!!

I love how Chris's name was really small at the bottom of the lighted present

and my name was HUGE!! heh heh heh heh

so, that's Christmas Eve in a nutshell. We are grateful to my parents and brother and sister-in-law. Not only for the gifts (o.k.. i'm not going to lie.. we all know that Lindsay loves her presents.. ha), but for being such a great family. I love hanging out with my family. It's so relaxed and we all have fun. We are loud and crazy when we get together, but there is never a dull moment! Thanks for wonderful memories! Love you all ... (even the family members who aren't in Houston.. ya'll are always missed!!)