Christmas Eve and Day

So, we were at a bit of a loss on what to do on Christmas Eve. With our usual holiday plans canceled, Sydney having strep, and I managed to get the stomach virus, we weren't exactly in peak condition! We had thought we go to our favorite Japanese restaurant but even that seemed like too much effort! Instead, we made a trip to see the Lights on the Bay. It was beautiful and a perfect Christmas Eve trip. Katelyn was so excited to see the lights and Sydney always thinks it is a great event, since she gets to get out of her booster seat. When we finished, we were all hungry and there wasn't much open at 7 pm on Christmas Eve. So, we wound up eating dinner at Denny's. Not exactly a tradition we think we'll continue but Kevin and I both agreed that it we fun. And, it really isn't about where we ate as much as that we were together and that we had fun. The girls were a hit at Denny's!

We we got home, the girls quickly got their baths and put on their special Christmas pj's. Then, we set off to make our reindeer food. It consists of oatmeal, carrots, raisins, and colored sprinkles (so the reindeer can see it). Then, we sprinkled in on the lawn - thankfully, it was a warm evening! We went back inside to put out the cookies and milk for Santa. You'll notice Santa used Daddy's new Ravens glass that he received from a co-worker. We decided Santa could be a Ravens fan! Then, we hung our stockings, sang Christmas carols around the tree (that was Sydney's idea - does it get any more Norman Rockwell???), read our stories by the tree, and went off to bed so Santa could come. It took Sydney quite some time to fall asleep but she did drift off before Santa arrived.

On Christmas morning, the girls awoke to find Santa had delivered some wonderful things. You'll see in the picture that Sydney is playing with Pop and Swap Polly Pockets, which were definitely the thing she asked for most often. Katelyn got lots of fun things for her play kitchen and her baby dolls, which are her absolute favorite toys right now.

We visited with family on Christmas day. The picture below shows the girls and their cousins - Carter (our token male in the middle), Madison (top right) and Reagan (bottom right). The girls are always thrilled to spend the day with everyone. Being with family really is the best part of the day so we were thankful that everyone was well enough and had been on antibiotics long enough to be in the clear for the visit!

Christmas was wonderful this year. And, while we'd like to be healthier next year, we have so much to be grateful for that complaining about the minor stuff seems almost silly. Every Christmas reminds me how fortunate we are to have each other and that all I really want for Christmas is to be together again next year!

Merry Christmas to All!