We had actually planned on attending the 4:00 "family" service at church (or as one of our ministers called it, "the zoo.") :) We didn't make this decision lightly. For as long as I can remember, we have attended the 11:00 candlelight service, but with P, we decided that there were (sadly) just too many details that would make that more difficult than it was worth to us. We also decided that it would be weird for J and I to put P in the nursery while we attended the zoo service with no little animal up there to call our own and videotape :), so we made the decision to bring P with us to the 4:00 service, even if it meant spending the entire time trying to keep him entertained. However, the stars didn't align for us, and we made the executive decision (after advice from a smart lady to "be flexible" :)), to forgo the church service for quality time with family. It was a good choice, and we know that next year, we'll be at the zoo service with bells on...and a 2 year old in tow. :)
At 6:00 we went over to my parents' house for the traditional family get-together. Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the year because of this tradition. :) It was so fun to bring Peanut into the mix this time around!
P was in a great mood and had fun playing with his family.
Here he is with his Aunt Debby and one of his go-to toys...the rings.
Here he is with his Aunt Debby and one of his go-to toys...the rings.
I love this picture! I wish I knew what they were both responding to! :) (Obviously something startling!)
More attention...this little man can't get enough. His cousin Kaitlyn was home from A&M and his Aunt Martha was in town from Washington D.C. The joke is - trying to find the baby? Just look to the center of the circle. :)
Cousin Kaitlyn and Uncle Brent
Sister, Mom, and me...they were the cooks with the mostest! I just showed up with the entertainment. :)
3 of my favorite people...Sister, Cousin Blake, and Cousin Kaitlyn
Gpa Jim (aka "Gramps" to Peanut) and J's dad, John (aka "Pops")
"Whoa there! I promise, Santa...I've been good...really, really good. OK, so maybe not so good in the sleep department, but no man is perfect..."
Having fun with his Aunt Sandy and Aunt Debby
Hanging around before dinner...
Uncle Brent, Cousin Kaitlyn, Aunt Becky, and Cousin Blake about to participate in the yearly viewing of "A Claymation Christmas" (circa 1987).
If you have never seen this...I must insist that you do next Christmas season. I'm pretty sure I first saw this when I was 7...and we've watched it every Christmas Eve since. In fact, up until a few years ago, we were still viewing this on the VHS that we had recorded off of the TV years ago when it aired. Sister and I found it on DVD a few years back...thank goodness! We didn't know how many more views that little VHS had left in it!
It should be noted that the family all-time favorite is "The Carol of the Bells," and our favorite line from this segment that can be used throughout the year whenever you misplace something is, " I lost mine." Really...I insist...you must get your hands on a copy of this thing. :)
If you have never seen this...I must insist that you do next Christmas season. I'm pretty sure I first saw this when I was 7...and we've watched it every Christmas Eve since. In fact, up until a few years ago, we were still viewing this on the VHS that we had recorded off of the TV years ago when it aired. Sister and I found it on DVD a few years back...thank goodness! We didn't know how many more views that little VHS had left in it!
It should be noted that the family all-time favorite is "The Carol of the Bells," and our favorite line from this segment that can be used throughout the year whenever you misplace something is, " I lost mine." Really...I insist...you must get your hands on a copy of this thing. :)
Our little family. :)
After dinner and the "Claymation Christmas" viewing, we all just hung around until it was time to leave for the 11 o'clock service. J was kind enough to offer to let me go to church while he stayed with the Peanut. I took him up on the offer and was able to go and enjoy the beautiful service while J stayed at my parents' and assembled a Christmas present for the nut that needed 42 screws. :) We left right after my parents (who sing in the choir), and as the photograph below shows, we need to be remember that we don't need to show up before 10:30 next year. :)
I texted J this pict with the caption, "Whew! Glad we got here when we did!" :)
The service was beautiful, and we got back home around 12:45 to find Peanut asleep on J on the couch downstairs. Poor little guy had woken up and wouldn't go back into his pack 'n play, so his dad just had to snuggle him. :)
My sweet boys.
By the time we got home and got ready for bed, we probably went to sleep around 1:45 or so...sigh...at least our little guy didn't wake up until 8:30 on Christmas morning...but that's another post... ;)
We thought about going to the 4:00 too, but thought that we'd be parents with an infant who wouldn't know what was going on anyway! We took Jay to the 8:00 and he slept the entire time! With a few snorts in his sleep! :)
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