Christmas Eve 2008

Christmas Eve was a jam-packed, making list, so much to do, no room to breathe, go go go, kind of day. First the girls and I spent the morning together while Daddy ran out to do some last minute errand running/shopping. Then it was mom's turn. I had two gifts to return and a couple of items to get at the grocery store. When I got home a friend and his daughter dropped by and they all went up to the playground to run off some energy and get sand for our luminaries. That cleared the house for me to wrap stocking gifts and a few other items to check off my list. After lunch the girls napped and I laid down for what would be my last moment of peace for 48 hours. It only lasted about 10 minutes since I had so many things running through my head that I finally had to get up and make another list.
Gran, Pop, and Uncle B arrived and the girls were delighted to see them. We spent the rest of the afternoon making cookies, getting dressed for church, and setting up the luminaries (Our neighborhood does this every year. Each house lines their yard with luminaries and the whole neighborhood is lit up. It is so beautiful at night.)
Then we all went to church for the Eve service and came back to start our bon fire/hot dog roast/hay ride party. We had invited our friends the Weavers and our neighbors to join us in this festive occasion. Aunt Joni came just in time too. We had a great time sitting by the fire pit and eating our dogs. Then Jay got the trailer set up to ride us around the neighborhood. We loaded up and had the best time looking at the lights and singing carols.
After we got back Mr. Mark read the story to What God Wants for Christmas and the kids helped set up the nativity. When they left Katie Jo opened her Christmas Eve gift, PJ's (don't worry, Georgia got hers too before she went to bed)! Then Katie Jo went out and spread the reindeer sprinkle dust in the yard and we laid out Santa's cookies. All items were checked off the list! Off to bed with sugar plums dancing in their head.