Our Christmas Eve Festivities......

 We started our Christmas Eve celebration with a delicious dinner. Dylan had discovered the Italian tradition of having a meatless dinner on Christmas Eve and had requested quiche. Mike found a great recipe and made the quiche. We also had sparkling cider and crescent rolls. Another Italian tradition that we incorporated this year is to read a letter that the kids wrote and placed under Mike's dinner plate. It brought on tears when Mike read the note. The boys had written a heartfelt message telling Mike and I how much they loved us and thanking us for being their parents. They also gave us a set of coupons to help around the house. We have been blessed with such great kids! This is a tradition we will continue and was my favorite part of Christmas. Dylan squinting with the flash of the camera. I loved his smile here.

 Tate is tired of photos and is ready to eat....                                    
                                             
 A few sweet hugs shared at the dinner. We are so blessed!

 After dinner, we picked up Grandma Orton from Uncle Kelly's house and went and visited our favorite Nativity Scene while Mike read the story of Christ's birth from the Bible.  It was special to share it with Grandma Orton and then we drove around looking at Christmas lights. I forgot the camera for this part of the evening. The boys were excited to get home and get to bed so that Bernie and Sparky could bring some of Santa's gifts. They opened their pajamas and this year they had asked for a blanket with their PJ's. I made each of them a fleece blanket and they loved them. They helped pick out the fleece material.

Bathed, in Christmas PJ's with warm blankets, and time to go to bed so Santa's Elves can arrive.