Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve out in Newton with my parents & siblings (minus JM, he was in California with some friends). We have a big dinner then we play Bingo, we all bring a few prizes & it's almost as fun as Christmas morning! There are usually some silly gifts, but there are also really good ones that everyone wants too. We have alot of fun, Branden has become the official bingo caller. The kids are always dying to open a gift, although they are usually not real thrilled about their pajama's & slippers that they get every year. We had a really nice night. Grandma Coombs was able to stay with my mom, which is nice, she has spent many Christmas' with us, it just wouldn't be the same without her!

Christmas Eve can become a very long day, especially if you're a kid. I well remember the days when the day took forever & there were too many things to be done to get ready for the big party that night! Maddie & Allie in their matching Christmas PJ's.


Whitney finally gave in & let the little kids open their gifts from her... what a nice auntie! Maddie loved her Gabriella (High School Musical) Barbie.

Allie is such a funny girl. I don't think she really understood the whole Christmas thing until she started getting presents to open. She was alot of fun, so excited about every little thing she got.

My sweet little Eli, his PJ's fit him to the T. He has recently developed a little streak of pure naughtiness ... everyone passes it off as "oh, he's such a boy!" I'm not too sure what I'm going to do with him. It's a good thing he's cute!

Val & Ella were at mom's for Christmas, so the kids had a lot of fun. They truly love each other & they get along (most of the time) so good. At only 5 months apart Ella & Allie are good little friends. Whitney gave them little dolls, they were thrilled.

Ella had an obsession with the camera, so whenver someone wanted to take her picture, she thought it was her turn to take pictures too...

They could hardly wait when they were finally allowed to open up Whitney's presents to them, the PJ's just didn't cut it!

Heather was able to come home on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so we were all together except JM. I love being able to spend Christmas with my family, to reminisce & laugh & play games. We are so blessed & have alot to be thankful for this year.