Little Christmas Eve

In our family, for the last few years, we have been celebrating Little Christmas Eve. (It is Christmas Eve's eve) Most of our kids go to the inlaws on Christmas Eve, and then Christmas day is so busy, that we have really enjoyed doing our Christmas a few days early. Tonight we had a delicious dinner of chicken rollups, rice, yummy salad, darling Santa rolls, (see picture below) green bean casserole, amazing caramel brownies and peppermint icecream.

 

Here's a shot of everyone who came to dinner

 

It was fun to have all the grandparents and Lani, besides our kids and grandkids.

 

It's so nice to fit so many people in our kitchen!

 

Look at the camera Katie,(I think she is trying to make bunny ears on Abbie.)

 

Our big 3 girls

 

I was surprised, they really ate pretty well for being so excited for the evening activities

 

Here's the girls right after opening the presents from mom and dad, I love how excited they were about everything, and I especially love the look on mom and dads faces. These tiny girls are so blessed to have so many grandparents who just adore them!!!

 

Abbie is so cute, as soon as the girls opened the outfits we gave them, she had to put hers right on. I hope the rest of the girls look as cute in theirs as Abbie does in hers!

 

Lani brought a fun white elephant game with enough presents for everyone all in paper bags. Everyone had a great time trying to decide if they should keep their gift or trade it for the one someone else got. Jamie got an awesome chocolate orange.

 

All the girls were so excited when we brought out their doll houses! I think they are going to really enjoy them!

 

It was so fun to listen to them as they played with their houses.

 

Here's Aida testing out her new car.

 

Grandma Cline gave all the girls Barbie dolls to play with in their doll houses

 

Lani gave all the girls the cutest red wool coats! They loved them and they LOVE her! Mom and Dad gave them Clifford the dog books and stuffed animals, sooooo cute!

 

Just before the girls left, I told them the story of Teach the Children. I had Santa's bag filled with all the Christmas things, a tree, wreath, candy cane, ornament, etc. We talked about what each of them symbolized and asked them to try to remember what they mean when they see them. I think their favorite was that a candy cane not only symbolizes the shephards hook, to bring back the lost sheep, but if you turn it upside down, it is a J for Jesus who is the reason for the season!!!!
Right before everyone left, Jordan called and was at the airport in SLC for a 20 minute layover. We were so wishing it would have been longer so we could have all gone to see him! He got to talk to all the kids, and it made it fun to have him join our celebration, even though it was just on the phone! We sure miss him and Jamie, but are happy for them to be spending Christmas in California with Jamie's family. I hope everyone has as wonderful a Christmas as we did!!!