Christmas Eve

I'm all about tradition and Christmas Eve traditions are the best!



Before heading out to all the families we...


light the luminaries for Santa to find our house...







leave a plate of cookies by the fireplace for Santa...

and hang our stockings...

Next, it's off to "Grandma Puppy's" (Keith's parents) for dinner and presents with the whole Bielozer clan.


Carter and Samantha are getting to be little buddies, it's so cute.

By far the hit presents of the night: remote control cars!

and of course the train slippers...

The boys helped Grandpa open the "big one" from all the kids.

Why do we buy kids expensive toys when they are completely happy with an empty box?

Next it's off to my parents (thank goodness for Christmas Eve naps!) for a white elephant gift exchange and other Christmas Eve traditions.

Ty loved my white elephant gift: orange goo that makes fart noises. Thanks Travis!

Mom always gives us Christmas p.j's. Love the flannel pants from Old Navy!

We ended the night with a puppet show of the nativity story and then we always sing Silent Night and Away in a Manger. Carter helped on the piano this year.

Had to add this cute side-note: Ty wanted to say the family prayer this night and in his prayer he thanked Heavenly Father for the real Christmas long ago when Jesus was born and the "fake" Christmas we celebrate now. So cute! Not sure where he got the "fake" Christmas part, but I'll give myself a pat on the back for the real Christmas part! They really do listen!