christmas eve

Began with our annual family photo with the Cederstrom and Yancey families. Last minute, slightly dark, but we had unheard of cooperation by everyone. Yeah!

We ate our traditional Mexican feast. Delicioso! as usual. The younger kids played endlessly in the backyard raking and playing in the leaves. As also per tradition, we exchanged and opened gifts. It was wonderful chaos, full of anticipation. Our group is growing in numbers and in noise levels, but I love when we all get together. Each of the kids has a playmate or two (or three) and always look forward to Grandma and Grandpa's. An added treat this year, was to have Great-Grandma Cederstrom with us as well.

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Once we called it a night at the Yancey's, we headed to my grandma's house to open jammies with her and my mom. Their pajama bottoms were craftily hand-made my their mother (that would be me). My very first sewing project. With the exception of Taylor's being about an inch too short (stop growing already!), they were quite darling (if I do say so myself).

They loved being there to show their Nana and Grandma and got to open gifts from Grandma, too.

The kids were anxious to get to sleep so Santa could come. Out went the cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer (which Gabriel found on the back porch and devoured Christmas morning - mmmm).