Christmas Eve

We had such a great Christmas Eve this year. We decided to stay home and do Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at our own house and travel to Mtn. Home on Christmas day.
This took so much stress off of me and we just had the best time together. 

Christmas Eve Day we spent some time ringing the Salvation Army bell.
The kids loved it and we raised a lot of money. Something about all those cute kids, it really draws people to the bell and makes them want to open their wallets. The kids were so thrilled when one man gave us a $100 bill. It made their day. 

It was seriously so fun. We sang some Christmas carols, the kids danced around ringing their bells and our short shift really flew by. 

So after kicking off our day by ringing the bell, we went home and decorated some cookies for Santa. I feel like we decorated about a million cookies this holiday season, but we had to leave some cookie for Santa, so this was very important to the kids. 

While we decorated, Dad prepared our Mexican food feast. We enjoyed tamales with rice and beans, bean burritos, chips with salsa and queso and taquitos. It was all so yummy! I love Mexican food for Christmas Eve dinner. Such a fun tradition. 

After dinner, we ran outside to sprinkle our reindeer food all over the yard. 

Benson wasn't really sure what was happening but he eventually caught on and poured his little bottle at his feet. 

Then we came back in and got ready to smash our Gingerbread houses.
This was such a funny event because Benson was very excited before we started. He loves to be included in all things, but his excitement changed to heartbreak very quickly. 

The smashing of the gingerbread houses begins

And Benson's tears begin to flow. He was completely heartbroken at the destruction of our gingerbread houses. It made him so sad. It was actually a little bit comical. 

The big kids were unfazed by Benson's tears and still enjoyed eating the pieces and scrambling to find all the best parts. 

Benson however, kept a close eye on his house and had absolutely no desire to smash his little gingerbread house. We kept trying to hand it to him so he could throw it down and smash it and he would just gently place it back on the ground and guard it. We were cracking up. 

Benson did eventually join in on the eating, but he never did smash his house. 

After the gingerbread house smash and following cleanup, there was a knock at the door.
The kids ran to get the door to find a package from our trusty and dependable "Pajama elves".

They opened to the package to find their Christmas pj's all set and ready for Christmas eve. 

Then the kids got dressed in their pj's, got ready for bed and we said our goodbyes to the elves. 

Then we snuggled up together so I could read them the "Pajama Elves" book before going to bed. 

Benson lasted about 2 pages before he was tired of listening. 

But the big kids and I finished the book and then we tucked the kids into bed and waited for the magic of Christmas Eve. 

It was such a great night. We had so much fun and I really loved not having to stress over anything. We did what we wanted, when we wanted and the kids were so great. It was awesome. 

Now its time for bed, because tomorrow is Christmas morning and all the fun that it entails. 

Merry Christmas!