Christmas Eve 2013

I think I enjoy Christmas Eve more so than the actual Christmas Day.  The anticipation that builds this day is so fun, and I love going to church for Christmas Eve service with my family.  It seems to be a day that everyone gets along, and the true spirit fo Christmas can be seen and felt within.  Our girls both took part in Holy Angels children's program for church again this year.  I think my girls were type cast for their roles.  Olivia was proud to be the angel of the Lord and carry the north star, while Mia was the black sheep of the herd.  That's what she wanted to be and she did a great job.  She knew when to go up and when to move.  She sat up there quiet and was perfect.  I laughed at her and the other sheep pretty much being the youngest in the show, but the best behaved as a group.


Mia smiling at me.  She was on the complete opposite side of the church so snapping photos was a challenge.

Olivia in a trance as she holds the illuminated star.  She was smiling brightly most of the time, but never when I tried to get a picture.

All the angels rejoicing and declaring Jesus' birth.

The shepherds tending to their flock of sheep.  Yes, there is a fairly old sheep in the midst.  Alex, the little sheep on the far left, got a little stage fright so his dad stepped in to be a sheep with him.  I thought it was adorable.

Mia cuddling with Aunt Christy for the remainder of church.

After church we had our annual dinner with dad and Patty.  They have always hosted it at their home.  Well, this year their home is a tiny apartment, but since this will be the last year they are here, they didn't want to change.  So Andy, the girls, and I enjoyed a nice cozy dinner in their apartment. 

A photo of the girls in their Christmas dresses.  I had ordered a coordinating skirt and top for Olivia that would go with Mia's dress, but of course got an email later informing me it couldn't be fufilled.

We all opened our usual gift early that is always pajamas.  Mia wanted me to get a picture of her reindeer feet.

She crashed early at grandma and grandpa's house.  It didn't take long for the girls to get to sleep this Christmas Eve.  Unfortunately, I've never been able to sleep on Christmas Eve and this year wasn't any different.  I thoroughly enjoyed the day.  The music is beautiful, the meaning of Christmas comes through so much more, and there's not the over excitement of opening gifts that takes away from the true meaning of the season.  Don't get me wrong we enjoy the gifts, but Christmas Eve is a day I can truly reflect on Christmas and the gift God gave us, his son.  I hope everyone else had a blessed Christmas.