Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a wonderful day! We spent the day lounging around the house with nowhere to go until evening. I read some Christmas stories to the kids and we tracked where Santa was in the world on the NORAD Santa site. The kids LOVE that!! That night I got all the kiddos dressed up in their Christmas outfits one more time and we went to the candlelight service at church. I think it's my favorite service of the year. I just love singing "Silent Night" in the candlelight - I cry every time. When we got home the kids got to open one present before they went to bed. This year they all got brand new bathrobes - and surprisingly they all absolutely loved them! They wear them all the time!! I was really lucky. I couldn't find a robe in Emma's size so finally I gave up and bought one off of eBay and it was delivered that afternoon!! Wow - that was cutting it close! Once the kids FINALLY went to sleep Mark & I opened our gifts to each other. It saves some time & chaos on Christmas morning when all we have to worry about is the kids and their presents. It really does work out really well.

All dressed up for church.

Mark and the kids. Emma was totally "done" by this point in the evening.
This picture was taken after church. She's not much of a night owl.

Patrick took this one of Mark & I. Strange angle...makes us look huge in comparison to the 7 foot tree behind us...

The kids in their new robes.

Cookies & milk for Santa. Nine carrots for the reindeer :)

Mark opening something exciting!

Yay! ER season 4 on DVD!! Now I need Seasons 1-3!!

I think he likes it!

Mark got me this wall fan in China. It's very nice - I'm not real sure where I'm going to put it though. I'm sure I'll find a place somewhere!