We went to a Christmas Eve church service at Gold Creek Church (where Hailey's preschool is at) this year. When we walked into the church a little before 4pm it was just starting to snow. We enjoyed a really nice service where the message really geared towards the whole family. Each person got a little gift box and as the story of Christmas was told we took a new item out of the box each time that went along with the story (animal crackers for the animals in the stable, a piece of fabric for the swaddle baby Jesus was in, a tea light candle for the bright star, etc). The kids really enjoyed being involved in the message with the present opening. When we walked out to our car after the service the snow was sticking and coming down even harder!! This just got us really excited.
We drove to my parents' condo in Lake Stevens for a Christmas Eve dinner. It wasn't really snowing there until after dinner when it started to lightly come down and stick.
Christmas Eve dinner in Lake Stevens
Somehow we managed to coordinate colors
When we got back home we set out our cookies, milk and carrots for Santa and his reindeer and got the kids off to bed. Knowing Santa couldn't come if they were awake was a nice fast forward of the bedtime routine tonight.
Snow on the deck when we got home
Treats for Santa and the reindeer are all set out
Santa and reindeer treats
The next morning was Christmas and no surprise here, Cammy was the first one up a little before 6am!! Brielle followed with a 6:15am wake up and I told the girls that they couldn't wake up Hailey or their dad until 7am. So we sat in bed and watched tv until then. Pure torture for a 6 year old who just wants to dig through her stocking and shake all her presents. I was nice though and let her go downstairs on her own and see what Santa left by only using her eyes.
Santa came!
Stockings are filled!
At 7am everyone else was woken up and the snow had fallen about an inch and a half overnight. We came downstairs to a WHITE CHRISTMAS MORNING and let the kids go through their stockings and each open their present from Santa. After that we put on our snow clothes and out we went to play in it before it all melted away. Grams and Gramps arrived just as we were heading outside with our sled, so that was fun. We had a good time sledding, making a mini snowman and just playing in the snow.
Santa brought the girls a stand up microphone to share
Stockings!!!
Santa presents
Santa brought Cammy the amusement park lego set she asked for
Hailey got the Elena of Avalor scepter and accessory pack that she asked for
Brielle got a "neigh" that she asked for
A look out our front door
Brielle likes the snow!
Swinging in the snow
Snow!!!!
Sledding in the front yard
That's one full sled!
Building a mini snowman
Family pic in the snow
After a bit of snow fun we came in for breakfast and to finish up opening presents. It was a low key day of just hanging at home this year with nowhere to be. We had a nice little ham dinner with just the 5 of us and my parents. I enjoyed a little less craziness this year!
Dinner time!
So thankful for such amazing grandparents to our kids!
Our little family on Christmas
Merry Christmas 2017!!
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