Christmas Eve

I'm going to break up our Christmas into days.  We have so many places to visit, I want to make sure I can cover each one, as each are so special to us in their own different ways.

Up first, Christmas Eve.

Nanas.  My dad's mom.

We always go to her Christmas Eve service at her church.  She plays the piano, has for years.  It's a quick 30 minute service in a church that's over 200 years old. Wood pews, wood floors, low lighting, small, cozy.  I love it.  To me, this is the start of Christmas.  I think I've only missed once in 29 years.  It's pretty important to me.

After church we head to Nana's for dinner and presents.  It's fun to have more children now.  Mine included. Littlest cousin wasn't there, but we still had a great time.

Papa, Easton, Aunt Sharon 

Granddaddy Baker

Grandmother (Great), Easton & Ali

Looks like he's quite fond of his Nana too...like his mommy

Opening first present!  

Brooke (Cousin)  Ansley, Trace & Jackson

The 3 men of my life

Ms. Haney, Grandmother, Nana

Bill, Sharon & Victor, Nana, David & Gena, Papa

Bill, Sharon, Nana, David, Papa, Ali
Brooke, Victor, Gena, Andrew, yours truly

On the way home, we carried on one of my fondest memories.  We searched for Rudolph up in the sky.  And...believe it or not folks, we spotted him....Looked to be in Memphis or thereabouts.  

We hurried home so we could...

Sample some of the yummy icing from our cookies...ahem...set out cookies for Santa.

And read 'Twas the night before Christmas'

My mom read this book to me every Christmas.

Multiple times.

We read it twice tonight.

Little boy wanted 'more'.

I was happy to do it.

Thanks Honey for our pj's!!!!!!

I love having the same book that my mom read to me.

It's tattered and worn but that makes it all the more special.

I got a little misty eyed reading it thinking back on all those Christmas Eve's she read it to me.

Me, misty eyed.  Say it ain't so.  

My child is all nestled all snug in his bed, 

While visions of sugarplums dance in our heads.

I'm still a bit giddy thinking about the Jolly ole man with the smoke that encircled his head like a wreath and his belly that shook like a bowl full of jelly.

Ahhhh, I love Christmas.

And traditions...how 'bout those Christmas Tradition Apples???

Here's to going to bed...and quick!

Happy Christmas to all...and to all a good night.