Christmas Eve

It's time to get caught up on things.  Now that I'm not drugged up on painkillers and can't imagine a life that doesn't involve laying on the couch all day, I'm finding all sorts of things I can do while waiting for my leg to heal.

My gift wrap was Pinterest-worthy this year.  I even printed off cute tags which went completely unnoticed by the men in my life so pics are going on the blog.  Please feel free to comment :)

Christmas Eve feels like forever ago, but one glance at all the pictures, and I'm quickly reminded of the fun we had and the excitement that filled the air.  Chrsitmas Eve day was a busy one as I tried to wrap all the presents while Randy took some of the boys skiing, dropped off a few plates of homemade peppermint sugar cookies, watched the new movie Sing 2 with Marcus and Henry, and made a delicious Christmas Eve feast that we didn't have time to eat until after we returned from Christmas caroling at 7:30pm.  Was it an exhausting day?  Yes!  Yes it was.

Dinner and popping crackers is always fun.  You NEED this tradition in your life, trust me!  Each package comes with a crown, a tiny toy/game, and a paper with riddles and jokes.  It's so fun to eat our fancy dinner while we read our jokes and riddles to each other.  It prevents the usual arguing and boring discussions on Minecraft that we usually experience at meal time :)

The talents for our family talent show were better than usual.  

Marcus didn't have to work hard to look the part of the rapper Eminen as he performed some rap song that he knew every word to.  Yes, Marcus shaved and bleached his hair and yes he regrets it, and yes, he knows he looks like an ex-con.  It will grow back and we all make mistakes.

Ethan dusted off his unicycle and juggled as he rode across the driveway.  We all stood at the front door and cheered him on.  True talent!

Landon did a couple magic tricks that were pretty impressive but mostly it was just cute how into it he was.

Parker performed Jingle Bells on the piano (no picture of him) and as per tradition, Randy didn't do a talent.  I performed a magic trick that I actually prepared enough in advance for that I ordered something off Amazon for it, and no one bothered to take pictures.  Probably because they were too busy being impressed! Henry loved it the most.

We read the Nativity Story and quieted down enough for everyone to share their thoughts about Christ, and then it was time for the annual Christmas pajamas.  I LOATHE this tradition but my kids love it.  If anyone needs some holiday flannel pajama pants, let me know.  I have like ten of them.

Brothers Nights gift exchange was as fun as ever.  My boys love giving gifts to each other and almost always buys something for all their brothers even though we draw names.  Marcus was extra generous since this would be his last brothers night since he plans to leave on his mission this year.  Le Weep!  

Such a great Christmas Eve!  This was the first year in a long time we didn’t have any missionaries with us, but we actually didn’t mind.  It felt like a good year to just be our little family.

And here are a few pictures of the Christmas Eve ski trip.  It was a beautiful day on the mountain!