christmas eve love

So......this is going to be a fairly lengthy post. If I'm too wordy, you can just skim through the pictures..they're the best part anyway! Christmas Eve is my most favorite part of Christmas... all the good stuff is still a few hours away, and the kids can hardly stand the waiting! I always take a picture of each of the kids on Christmas Eve..this year Tim and I even jumped in for a couple.

After all those serious shots, we needed a few silly ones in the mix. I think these are my favorites!

We all went over to Grandma and Papa's around 6:00. Dad made his famous lasagne (thanks for the request Damon). While we were getting dinner together, grandma took pictures of each family in front of her tree (decorated by Dad!).

With dinner done, we got down to business. The Argyle Christmas Program... we've been doing it every year since...well, always! Each of the grandkids does something...sing, tell a story, play a song... Someone usually tapes the show and it makes for great entertainment in coming years. We recently watched the video of the Christmas story from 1998. Kenzie wouldn't give her gift to the baby Jesus. Kelly (dressed as Joseph) tried to negociate a trade... give Morgan (playing Mary) the gift and Kenzie could hold the baby. The baby ended up being thrown to the ground, Mary was pouting in the corner, and Kenzie was throwing a tantrum on the floor. It was a lovely program!

Carter played "Silent Night" with me. He just started lessons this past summer, and was oh so proud of his performance.

Lady sang "He's too Fat for the Chimney"...complete with the actions she learned at school.

Maddy played "Christmas Chopsticks"....and happily made it through with no mistakes.

Jace sang "Jingle Bells" and rang the bells so loud, we could barely hear his singing. He told me later "I was awesome mom!"

Kenzie played "Sleigh Ride"... if only she would practice her regular songs as much as she practiced this one!

This year's Christmas story used scriptures and prophecies from the Book of Mormon. Kenzie was in charge (power!!!). She assigned parts, helped get them in costume, and told them when to come out. Morgan was the narrator...she is a little old to dress up like a shepherd.

After the program, we all piled into the basement for a slideshow of the family. I put together almost 200 pictures of everyone from the past year. Not to brag...but it was awesome!! Everyone opened up their new pj's and squished onto the couch for the "jammie pics!" We have never had a picture yet with all the grandkids looking at the camera...maybe next year...but I doubt it. Grandma and Papa handed out presents to everyone..yippee! Tim Dunkley surprised my Dad with a "Quest for Perfection" t-shirt (in red of course)...but we all had that coming after putting the big play (...4th and 18, Collie's by himself down the field.. Max Hall throws and it is caught by Collie!!!!) from last year's Utah/BYU game into the slideshow last Christmas Eve. All in all, it was a wonderful night that went way too fast.