Christmas Eve 2011

This year, my sister's Lori's family and Dave's brother Steve joined us for Christmas Eve.  We had a big ham dinner with green beans, cheesy potatoes, rolls and of course, LOTS of homemade treats.

Cal, Cody, Caden, Rachel, Dave, Carson, Jake,  Josh and Bubbs

 After dinner we had fun playing speed scrabble and hanging out.

Our family tradition is that on Christmas Eve, the kids all get to exchange their gifts they got each other.  Jake bought for Dan this year.  While we were at Target doing their shopping, Dave had Dan and I had Jake.  Dan saw this helmut and fell in love.  Dave texted me a photo of it and we snuck over and got it without Dan seeing.  He was super excited when he opened it.  Then after all the kids opened their presents, he came up to me crying.  He said, "this is a stupid helmut and I don't even have a bike to ride."  He was sad because he didn't get a toy like his cousins.

 However, he got over it pretty quick and he wore his helmut for 3 days straight.  He was pretty funny about it.  Dave and I thought it probably was a good idea for him to wear it as much as possible since he falls off chairs and crashes in to the walls DAILY.  

 Sarah had Rachel this year.  Me, being the brilliant and resourceful mother that I am, thought that the perfect gift for Rachel would be for Sarah to give her Sarah's old pink iPod nano.  Sarah has a iPhone now and didn't need it anymore and Rachel LOVES music - I knew she would love it.  The best part was that it would be FREE for Sarah.

So, Christmas Eve afternoon, Sarah went to her room to get the iPod and wrap it and . . . guess what?  She couldn't find it ANYWHERE!!!!  I about killed her.  I had given her this idea MONTHS ago and she waits until the LAST POSSIBLE SECOND to find it.  So, lucky for her, Dave and I were heading to the mall, any way and were able to pick up a NEW iPod for Rachel (something I would not have considered for a 6 year old).  This set US back over $100, but it was worth it for the reaction the we got from Rachel!

Rachel LOVED her gift.  And for days and days we have got to listen to her singing as she walks around with her ear phone on.

 Danny had Jake this year and he got an assortment of things.  He requested a case for his iTouch and he got an Xbox came and some of his favorite candies.

 Rachel had Josh and got him his own ukulele.  Dave and I have been encouraging Josh to learn the ukulele for awhile and he has started to take an interest.  All through the rest of the week, he practiced and was able to learn a couple songs.  Lucky for him, Uncle Steve was around and able to give him some one-on-one private lessons.

 Last, but not least, Josh had Sarah this year.  He got her some lotion, a belt and bracelets and a pair of grey skinny jeans.

 All in all, it was a great night and everyone had a great time giving and receiving their gifts.