Christmas Eve

Gregg had to work on Christmas Eve day, so he couldn't come up from Seattle until after work.  However, Kayla had the day off and wanted to spend the day with us.  So, Ben, Hosanna, and I headed down to Seattle on Thursday night and picked Kayla up after work.  We then stopped at Wal-Mart for a quick shopping trip on our way home, at midnight, and could. not. believe. how long the lines were.  Crazy!

Us late nighters slept in on Saturday morning, while Papa and the little guys got up at 6:15 to head to Wal-Mart for an early morning trip.  (The boys wanted to exchange gifts, and we hadn't been able to really find anything they wanted in our little town.  So, Papa agreed to an early morning trip, complete with hot chocolate and donuts after their gift buying was complete.)

The rest of us got up about 10, so that we could get busy with our day.

The younger girls worked on a puzzle,

while Mama and the big girls worked in the kitchen.

Sarah really enjoys the challenge of a good puzzle.

Mama made hot mochas for the big girls,

and flavored hot chocolates for the young ones.

Mama, Kayla, and Hosanna worked on one of our

Favorite Family Christmas Traditions ...

Candy Cane Sweetbread

Kayla hasn't done much baking,

so she was excited to learn from us.

Hosanna hasn't been too involved in the past,

when all 3 of the Big Girls were home,

so she was excited to make Candy Canes this year.

The finished project.

Wrapped up and ready for delivery to close friends.

Papa & Mama spent 3 hours driving around the county,

making deliveries and wishing our friends a

Merry Christmas!

We got home just in time to make 

Waffles w/ Strawberries & Whipped Cream

(a Christmas Eve Tradition).

Gregg arrived from Seattle 

just as we were gathering to eat.

After a yummy dinner, 
we opened our Christmas Eve Presents ...
New Pajamas for Everyone.

Then, we put the young ones to bed,

and played a game of Hand & Foot

(Kayla's first card game w/ the family).

It's always fun to have 

some of the Big Kids home.