Christmas Eve 2008

We had a pretty relaxing Christmas this year. My mom always did a Christmas Eve dinner so that she could relax on Christmas day and just enjoy the family and do leftovers. I think it is a fabulous idea, mom's need to enjoy it too. So we had Christmas Eve dinner finished up and eaten by 3pm with our little family. We had WAY too much food and we will have leftovers for forever too. :)

After we finished dinner, Christian just really wanted to open a Christmas present right then. Another Christmas tradition that we have is that the kids can open the present to each other the night before Christmas. We made an executive decision to do it in the afternoon so that the kids could enjoy them before going to sleep. Christian smiled so well for the pictures so that he could open it up...as you will see later...he knows how to perform at the time to get what he wants.

Katie got a new reversible apron that she really wanted at a little boutique that we went too. I told her it had been sold to someone else...and she bought (wink, wink) the excuse. She was so excited about it that, if you pay attention in the pictures, she wore it the rest of the night. Christian got these noodle swords which were used immediately and carried in the car to the different locations we went too.

After that excitement, we went to the Mesa Temple Visitor's Center, to remember the true reason for the season. They have beautiful lights and usually tons of people there. We went before it was dark, got great parking and there were no lines for the beautiful displays there. Christian always loves to go and hear Jesus Christ's short but beautiful message (I know, you can't tell from this picture). The sister missionary apparently was talking to long and Christian said "Can you please push the button?" so that the message could begin. Got to work on those manners. I think he has a little ADD.

There weren't many people when we first went outside, so to kill time and to run off some Christmas Eve energy, we had a few skipping races...

Katie got a good picture of Christian, still cooperating with the camera beautifully.

We ran into one of our old friends from Oregon while there, the Barnwells! They moved to Arizona a few years ago. They were only there for a few minutes and we just happened to be in the right spot. He took a family picture for us! Look at that gorgeous sky!

Here are the lights at dusk around the temple. It was really pretty. They have them up until Dec 31st at least, so go if you haven't already.

Here is the manger scene, the reason for the celebration we call Christmas. Katie took this one for us. She really loves that camera. (I think I have an idea for a present for next year!)

The Three Wise Men...the reason we started the gift giving tradition...

A sea of lights. It is so peaceful and beautiful there.

We ended our night by going by our friends the Moore's house for hot chocolate in front of their lit up house (see previous post). We got to see many loved friends before we turned in for the night, waited for Santa to come and wrap all the presents...