Christmas Eve

I'm just now getting around to posting some Christmas pictures. We've actually been in Utah for the past 2 weeks and just got home a couple of days ago.

We spend a couple of afternoons with Cory's Dad, Mom, and sister Alyshia. The kids really love visiting them- especially Aunt Alyshia. They get to raid her purse for makeup! Cory's Dad, Allen, let the kids come visit him in his office on Christmas Eve. They have vending machines where all the treats and soda pops are just a quarter. Each kid got 2 quarters and got to pick ANYTHING they wanted. I really think they were in heaven! And Denise made the BEST snacks for us. I love Beef Stick!! Fun times. . .

Christmas Eve night was a fun traditional one for me. My mom and dad made ham, green beans, Swedish red cabbage, Swedish cucumbers, and funeral potatoes. Aunt Deb brought the rolls and appetizers. Cory and I did the punch and dessert. It was mom, dad, sister Katie, me, Cory, my 5 kids, Aunt Deb, Uncle Val, cousin Dane, and Grandma Donna (not mine- Aunt Deb's mom). Family missing: brother Scott, brother Steve, grandpa Gene, granny Betty, cousin Lance, cousin Andi, uncle Cole, cousin Kelly, and cousin Lindsey. Just like growing up- only without the naughty candles and kids table. . .

After dinner we did our traditional "program" where all the kids do a Christmassy talent. When I was a kid, me and my family did piano solos, piano duets, granny and grandpa singing and playing the harmonica, us singing- you get the picture.

Ashley played "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" on the piano

Ainslee sang "Rudolph"

Andi sang "Jingle Bells"

Spencer just stood there looking grumpy- go figure

And Lil' Missy-Avery- was wondering why we were all so loud

Then the bells were brought out! Holy Cow The Bells!

It takes massive amounts of concentration to hit YOUR bell at THE right time. What is supposed to sound like Away in a Manger turns into mush a lot of times but we all laugh as though that's never happened before!

We've been doing the bells for years and years- as long as I can remember. But if you ask my mom, her years get longer and longer ("I haven't brought these out in 10 years. . . I haven't brought these out in 25 years") when really it was just last year.