{christmas eve}

This is by far my favorite time of year. I love the whole excitement of the season. Whether it's for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ or the anticipation of giving someone you love a special gift. Jake and I had talked about how we really want to make our kids understand the importance of the season. We also want them to be more excited about GIVING than RECEIVING.
I don't know about you but I do love to get a nice gift. But there is something very special about giving something to someone.

Some years I am better at this than others. (I felt like this year was my off year) I really do love thinking of just the right thing to give someone.
On that note, we were able to finally get Jake with us for Christmas Eve. Each Christmas we have been home we always spend Christmas Eve with the Rabe's and Christmas morning with my family. It works out perfectly!
Jake's mom always has her tree decorated so beautifully. And each family has their presents wrapped up in matching paper. Her wrapping paper is always so pretty. It must be the bows she does.





This year everyone was able to be there. All the siblings are married now and there are five grandchildren now too! That makes it much more fun.
Nolan really understood it this year. (the whole presents thing, probably not about our Saviors birth, we will be working on that) He would grab each present thinking it was all for him. It made us laugh when he opened his pajamas because he was so disappointed. He only wanted everything to be a toy or a car.

Nolan and Sophie were going back and forth helping each other open all the presents. They were really in to it.
Nolan was spoiled with a talking dump truck named Rocky. He does all these cool tricks and even dances. It was a hit! Lukie was given the tickle me Elmo. He loved hearing Elmo sing. He would even shake is tiny little bootie when the music played.
The night was fun and crazy all at the same time. Poor Lukie was so tired so we hurried and put him in his new jammies and got him off to bed. Thus, the final picture of the night without our little Lukie. Maybe next year he won't have such a hard time with being sick.
Thanks for the wonderful tradition Brad and Ann!!! We truly love Christmas Eve at your place.