C*K*J: Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has long been one of most most favorite nights of the whole year! I love the magic that's in the air, the anticipation and excitement, the food and the traditions that I hold dear.

It's true what I've always heard... it's even better with little ones. Although Leah didn't really understand the whole premise of Christmas this year, she was still fascinated with the lights and tinsel and ribbon and presents and so much time with family and loved ones. I truly loved discovering the holidays again through the eyes of a child but even more so, through the eyes of a mother who desires so strongly to make things special and memorable for her little family.

Christmas Eve is the night that we spend with my family so we donned our cheesiest holiday sweaters for the annual party at my parents.

Leah loved getting to open presents...

and swing with Grandpa...

and play the organ

I told him he opened Pandora's box with that one, but he doesn't seem to mind. :)

and snuggle and play games with all of her favorite people

We enjoyed a delicious dinner, reminisced about Christmas' past, played the traditional white elephant gift exchange and of course, we finished the evening watching the story of the nativity and remembering the real reason that we celebrate the holidays. It was a near perfect evening with loved ones and I'm so thankful to my parents for hosting what has now become a huge and sometimes raucous crowd!

It's nearly impossible to get everyone in one picture anymore, but we came pretty close. We're just missing a few stragglers that we couldn't seem to round up.

Is my mom not adorable in her new apron?

I assure you that Mrs Claus has nothing on this woman!She's as amazing as they come!

Grandma & Grandpa with their two youngest grandkids (excluding greats), Leah and her sweet cousin Trey:

***

After the last of the snuggles and loves from Grandma and Grandpa, we were off for home to prepare for an anticipated visit from Old Saint Nick.

We helped Leah write a note and color a picture and then we prepared a late night snack for Santa... a mug of nice cold eggnog and 2 yummy cookies (just in case he wanted to take one back to Mrs Claus. Let's not forget her.... since I'm pretty sure she does most of the work anyway, right?)

Leah didn't quite understand the process and just saw it as 2 available cookies while I was trying to get a picture. She was pretty mad when Daddy took it away from her and her freshly brushed teeth.