Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Surprises!

 

Around noon we drove up to Virginia to visit Bryans dad. Papa P was coming in from a trip later that night and was coming to our house to spend the night so he could see the boys Christmas morning.

 

Papa P normally gives me money to buy for the boys what I think they want. Each of them was getting one thing with that money. Those gifts were really the only ones for the boys under the tree the entire month. We explain to them that Santa bills us after Christmas and that we do have to pay Santa back.

 

Once we arrived home Bryan put a ham in the oven and had dinner going. Papa P arrived at about the time dinner was ready. The boys talked him into allowing them to open his gifts that had been under the tree.

 

 

Carson got to go first and he knew exactly which box was his!



 

Cool! A tablet just for toddlers!

 

Peyton's box was the largest because I double boxed it to totally confuse him. He was so excited!

Peyton LOVES to play airsoft and was really excited that Papa P gave him the one he had been wanting!



 

Landon is a lot like me, he loves Christmas and cant wait to see what surprises are in store, but he wants to savor every moment and make it last as long as possible. He wanted to go last to open his gift. I had to double box his gift as well or else he would have known exactly what the gift was.



 So he has pretty much figured it out after seeing the small box.

 

An IPhone 5s!! It is of total benefit to start your child off with a phone during Christmas, because when its time for upgrades its perfect timing!

 

Each boy loved their Christmas Eve Surprises from Papa P!!

Christmas Eve Eve

 

Our Church has a Christmas Eve Eve Candlelight Service. They do this so that members can share Christmas Eve with their families and so they have a full choir.

 

 

Our Family "self timer" Photo

 

Carson saying "Cheese"

 

This is Carson just chewing gum and no one telling him to say "Cheese"! I love my boys so much, the big boys are growing up on me!!

 

A little role playing before we head out - Carson as a dog!

 

Carson knows this is Landon's gift from Papa P.....he knows it drives Landon nuts when he pulls out his gift!

 

We told Carson all day that at Church that night he got to sit with us and he was able to hold a candle. He was so excited!! Finally at the end of the service it was time for the candle part. Bryan "misplaced" his (how did that happen?) Second when the usher lit my candle, 2 seconds later guess who blew it out? Yep Carson ~ so Landon lit my candle with his.....the whole time Carson wanted to blow them out.....finally I handed my candle off to Bryan (since he lost his) and handed Carson to him....2 seconds later poof the candle was again blew out. Myself and the big boys could not stop laughing!! Bryan says when baby number 4 arrives that we are not going anywhere!! I am beginning to think that may be a good idea.

 

We still enjoyed Christmas Eve Eve service even though the ending we totally were not focused on why we were there! Afterward we went to grab a bite and then headed home. The boys are so excited for Christmas Eve and for Christmas Day! 

Gingerbread Houses & Cookies!

Gingerbread Houses

 

When Landon was in Kindergarten his class had a gingerbread party......it was so much fun!!! We have tried to each year since to do our own little houses at our home! We have tried using graham crackers, kits, and the milk/juice containers. The boys like using the containers the best, we just had to buy juice ahead of time and sip away.

 

I have the teachers icing recipe and it covers great and hardens very quickly!

 

Look at all those toppings!!

As usual Carson is shirtless--and he had the best time snacking on candy and eating the icing!

 

Here are the boys gingerbread creations on display for Santa to see!

 

I love seeing what they each decide to do, Carson had some help from mom but also did plenty himself!

 

 

 

Cookie Time!!!

 

I feel like my cookies never turn out right. Not because of what the boys do, but the recipe that I use. Each year I change it up trying to find the perfect "easy" sugar cookie recipe.

 

This year the one I found done pretty well. As long as the boys get to make the cookies, they really don't care its all in the fun of it!!

 

Oh boy I see a Mess!!!

 

Looks like Peyton needs an apron like Carsons:)

 

Carson and big big brother!

 

Roll it Out!!

 

Ooh this is like painting!!

 

Deep Concentration!

 

Wow Carson dumped almost an entire container of sprinklers!!

 

The cookies and gingerbread houses make quite the mess, but the boys love doing it and that makes cleaning the mess worth it!!