Christmas Eve 2016

Christmas Eve is one of my favorite days of the year,

because it is full of family traditions!

We always bake & decorate cookies for Santa in the morning....

Don't mind Nate's 2 sets of pjs! I'm not sure why he's wearing that when it's 70 degrees.

Then, we have the Children's Mass at church at 4:30 pm. This year, Abby chose to be an angel (again) and Nate volunteered to be Joseph!

Abby & her buddy Ella

Mary, Joseph, and the donkey

Nate was told to be "solemn" and he played that part well!

Proud of both my kiddos!

 After a loooooooong mass, we headed home for a pizza picnic in front of the tree. This is my most favorite tradition of all, probably because I remember doing it as a kid with my family! We usually have a fire going too, but since it was 70 degrees, we decided it wasn't necessary :)

 We've never spread "reindeer food" outside before, but we made some at Abby's class party and she was thrilled to sprinkle it in the driveway for the reindeer. There may have been a little dancing involved too!

 The kids left a note for Santa, along with some cookies, milk, and a carrot for Rudolph.

 Then, it was time for Daddy to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.....

They are gonna outgrow that chair soon :(

One last look before we head to bed!

Sleepover time!!

(Wonder if they'll actually sleep or just giggle & whisper all night!?)