Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve day we were surprised to wake to falling snow.  The kids could not wait to get outside to play.  Our morning started out by catching a snowflake or two.

It quickly turned into a little brother/sister love.

Daddy even bundled up and got in on the fun (I was still recouping from the flu so I did not venture out). 

They worked hard building "Olaf" to look at us through the window all day.  Unfortunately we were out of carrots, so they had to improvise.

Then it was time to warm up with some hot cocoa and a puzzle.  What was suppose to be 500 pieces was actually 501... if you think having one duplicate piece would not throw you off so much, I challenge you to try it.

We baked 4 different kinds of cookies, because you really can't tell which ones Santa will like unless you try them all :)

Chase's little girl friend came by and brought him a gift (He had a big teddy bear on his list for Santa), I guess she took care of that wish.  He was ecstatic!  Not sure yet where this bear as big as him is going to go.

We made a bunch of different appetizers for dinner (everyone got to pick their favorites).  We had lots of food left over due to a few of us still having upset tummies.  Then we started our traditional Christmas Eve games.

We played Sadi's game first.  She had us put a plate on our head, and described to us how to draw Santa's face.  We all got a good laugh when we saw our "artwork".

Next Chase had come up with a Christmas Say anything game.  He had cards with a Christmas word written on that everyone but one person could see.  We went around a circle and you had to say what yours was like.  Example:  The word was Christmas tree.  You could say "mine is green", or "mine is smelly".  The person who did not see the card then had to guess what the word was.  It was pretty funny.

Matt actually came up with a game that wasn't thought of 5 minutes before we played.  He made a Snowman cootie game.  You had to use the spinner to get all the parts to build your snowman. 

My game was Christmas Scatergories.  Kelsey had made up a Christmas pictionary game that we played in teams.  Matt and Sadi vs. Chase and I.

We really found out who has drawing skills (and who doesn't).  We laughed and laughed, here is our duel of drawing the Grinch.  (Matt's artwork on the left, Chase on the right).

The kids got to open one present from us, new jammie's and a traditional Christmas book.  This year we got Olaf's night before Christmas read by Olaf himself.

While in the middle of the book we had a surprise visitor (one the kids have now been expecting).  It was Santa!  We all got to sit on his lap, and tell him what we wanted for Christmas.  He also brought each of the kids a little something to tide them over till morning.

The elves had brought a letter back from the North Pole that morning telling them they were allowed to hug and tell them goodbye before they went to bed.  We will be sad not to wake to these cute little faces every morning....although exhausting, they are so much fun.

The night was winding down quickly, and we all snuggled up and watched a Christmas movie together.

Then we picked out the best cookies for Santa (tested an approved) and got him a nice big glass of milk to go with it.  And then the children were nestled all snug in their bed....

Unfortunately poor Chase was not quite over the flu we found out about 11 when he puked from his bed, down the hall, and into the bathroom.  Once were all nestled in our beds (again) we were hoping for a better feeling morning.