Christmas Eve traditions

This was the first year we've spent at home with just our family since the year William had his first Christmas. Since he was too young to remember anything, this is the first year we've really had to think about what traditions we want to start. We spent the day around the house just playing with the boys & talking about Santa & Baby Jesus. We ate a very early dinner (3:30 PM) and then got dressed for Mass. Mass starts at 5, so we had a hard decision to make--get there early & have to entertain the kids for an hour PLUS Mass time, or get there on time & risk having to stand. We chose to risk it! It worked out well, because, although Mass was crowded, I've definitely seen worse & there was a bit of room in the cry room. The boys did amazingly well during Mass, but Colin was starting to meltdown towards the end, so we rushed home to put him to bed. Then, the big boys each got to open one gift:

From Christmas 2009

We then headed over to our neighbors to bring their girls a little something we'd gotten them and have some grown-up Christmas time! William's gift from Maddie & Allie was Spiderman roller skates & I think they might just win the contest for favorite gift this year! Daniel got a Buzz Lightyear & had to sleep with it, so I'd venture to say it was a success, too.

From Christmas 2009

Since William hadn't napped, we weren't sure how long we were going to be able to stay, but they both made it until 10! It was nice to spend the evening with good friends & let the kids have some crazy time! The girls even sent our boys home with a little something special that we had to sprinkle around the yard before we could go to bed:

From Christmas 2009

We couldn't take a chance on the reindeer not being able to find us!!

Then, it was into the house to put out cookies & milk for the big man (William didn't insist on any fruit this year!), then upstairs for the traditional reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas". Our boys definitely went to bed with visions of sugarplums dancing through their heads!