Christmas Eve

I managed to finish all my shopping/grocery shopping on Christmas Eve Eve so that I wouldn't have to get out in the craziness on Christmas Eve. We had alot of cooking to do to prepare for Christmas Day lunch so we began cooking at 8:00 a.m. On the menu was sweet potato casserole, cranberry salad, green bean casserole, dressing, Jay smoked a turkey, homemade fudge, mint pretzel snacks, sausage balls, and pigs in a blanket. We finally finished at 4:30 and then cleaned the kitchen (it was a nightmare!). We then bathed the kids and cuddled up on the couch with the kids and watched The Christmas Shoes. Then we read the Christmas story and The Legend of the Candy Cane before we snuggled the kids in the bed. Oh and we realized that the little girl in that book's name is LUCY! I had forgotten that! The kids were very excited to go to bed that night and since we don't do Santa, the conversation as they were going to sleep was interesting. They were looking out the window and Karis said, "Mom is Santa real???" I replied, "What do you think?" She said, "I don't think he is real. He is just dressed up. I guess the reindeer drive the sleigh!" Jay and I just grinned. We have never really discussed Santa at our house, we just don't do the whole Santa thing on Christmas Eve. It seems as if Karis has just figured it out on her own...well kinda.

We are so thankful to have Lucy with us this year although she is too young to remember it. We look forward to Christmas Day to celebrate the Lord's birth and being with family.

Merry Christmas to all!