Christmas 2014 continues - Christmas Eve

We started Christmas Eve in our traditional way - with breakfast at Bob Evans!  Dave and I started this tradition years ago as a nice, quiet, relaxing, calm-before-the-storm.  Two kids later and there is never really any "calm" but it's been fun continuing this ritual with our growing family.  Lucy ordered pancakes and sausage and got a kick out of having her own little syrup dispenser.  Maxy boy scarfed down the cereal with fruit and puffs I packed for him.

We went to church at St. Anthony before party time at my Uncle Steve and Aunt Debbie's house. 
I got Max's sweater from Old Navy and GranJan picked up his fancy bow-tie shirt and pants at Macy's.  We stumbled upon Lucy's outfit on clearance at Gymboree just a couple of days earlier...how cute are these two?!?

(Lucy had not been on her best behaviour throughout the day and refused to take a nap (instead, she screamed and carried on like a person possessed) but she sure cleaned up nicely).



Dinner partners at their own table, once again

Lucy and Max were in the gift exchange.  Alex had Max's name and he loved the wallet and giraffe ball-sorting toy he received!  He thought the wrapping paper Alex chose was especially delicious.  Lucy got a Cabbage Patch doll with a lollipop from Aunt Debbie...happy kids!


Team work!

The wallet was mighty tasty, too!

After dinner and the gift exchange, it was time to head over to Granny & Great Grandpa's house.  Lucy got a Sophia the First talking amulet and the game Hungry, Hungry Hippos!  Max got a Simba ball sorter - fun stuff!

Luke lent a hand

Lucy got her godfather a special gift and he got one for her - she gave him a calender filled with lots and lots Lucy pictures...every month with be Lucy month in Uncle Jason's new house!

Uncle Jason got her a special Frozen big wheel!  After initially appearing super happy and excited, Lucy got quiet and shy and backed away from the bike.  Very strange.  I might have forgotten how happy she'd seemed at first if I hadn't managed to snap these photos. 
There were several people that had gathered around to watch her open the gift so maybe she suddenly didn't like being the center of attention - or maybe that no-nap thing was catching up to her...she's been a bit moody lately a little tough to figure out.  But she loves her bike and she loves her Uncle Jason, even if she had trouble showing it at gift-giving time!

And this little dude?
Well he loves just about everything!

Once home, it was time to snuggle into their Christmas pajamas and get a good night's sleep in preparation for the big day ahead of them!  Lucy set out her one cookie for Santa and it was even her idea to add a glass of milk.