Christmas Eve

We left my parent's house on Sunday late afternoon and got back home that evening.  We unpacked and did laundry on Sunday night so that we could have all day on Christmas Eve to just relax as a family.  We spent the day in our pjs and decorated gingerbread houses.  We went to our church's candlelight service at 4:00.  It was the perfect way to spend Christmas Eve.  :)

Our church has three Christmas Eve services.  The first one is geared towards families with small children.  It is always such a sweet little service and my kids really enjoy it.  The kids got to go up front to listen to a lesson from Mr. Jim about not covering up Jesus with presents.

The highlight is singing Silent Night as a congregation by candlelight.  It is always so moving to see the sanctuary full of flickering candles and hear hundreds of voices singing about the birth of Christ.

This sweet little girl has been Clayton's friend since we joined the church when he was a brand new 3 year old.  Clayton adores her.  He asked me to take a picture of him with S.  :)

When we got home, the boys were kind enough to pose for pictures by the tree.  :)

I think my Clay-boy is so handsome.

My little Mini Wade is pretty good lookin' too.  ;)

I couldn't get enough of my Baby in his Christmas jon jon.  So stinkin' cute!  I wonder if I will be able to get by with a jon jon next year...

While our cookies were baking, the boys went outside to spread their reindeer food on the lawn.

Then it was time to open their Christmas pjs...

Christmas pajamas are one of my favorite traditions from my childhood.

Clayton read the story of The First Christmas and Wade read The Night Before Christmas.

The boys said farewell to Nick.

We set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots and water for the reindeer.

Then we all nestled snug in our beds while visions of sugar plums danced in our heads...