And then it was Christmas....

Christmas Eve we always go out for Chinese food. It's a tradition that started when we lived in Japan. And just kinda stuck throughout the years.  And it helps that they do that in the movie "The Christmas Story." It's yummy every year! This time was just as good as ever.

We enjoyed our little mini Santa:

We always do a Christmas Eve talent show.  This has also morphed over the years as the kids have gotten older.  But it is always something I look forward to! My mom did some hula dancing and then taught a few volunteers. I wish I had a video of my Grandpa doing the hula.

Lots of talents were enjoyed by all!

Claire did her traditional wrapping paper dance.  You gotta see it to believe it. :)

Grandpa read the Night Before Christmas and did a game along with it.

 

Rosalyn shared her talent of sleeping....

I led the group in a live nativity...accompanied by the Mormon Tab. :) It was really fun!

We opened our homemade gifts for each other! Always a highlight.  Marie made me slippers! I made my brother a truck decal for his work truck.

And then it was time for bed for these two Christmas cuties...they had no idea what awaited them the next morning, and went to sleep easy.  I remember many a sleepless night looking out the window for Santa. We aren't at that stage yet. ha ha.

 
Christmas morning!! This candid pose with both girls on my lap is how I look all the time during the day. 

 Brielle loved helping everyone open their presents...

We got Brielle a little chair to sit in.  She loves having her own little chair. It plays songs when she sits.  The first day she had it she couldn't figure out how to sit in it! It was so funny, she kept putting her leg through the desk hole and getting stuck.

My family got an archery set....I've been hinting for this for years now. I love it! I'm so excited to go home and use it every time I go.  I don't know why, but ever since archery at Girl's Camp, I've loved shooting arrows. (not that I've done it all that often...until now!)

We stayed another day and went wedding dress shopping with Marie just for fun. And spent some Christmas money at the mall.  

And then it was time to go back home. We had a wonderful Christmas with the Bates. 

It was a special year with our two little babies in tow...reminding us of the importance of our Savior and giving us little glimpses of heaven.