CHRISTMAS EVE 2013

We always go to breakfast on Christmas Eve morning, this year it was just our little family and we went to Kneaders.

After breakfast we come home to get ready for some family fun on Christmas Eve night.

We go to Chad's parents house where we eat breakfast for dinner. It is a family tradition and we have done it for several years. However, this year I HATED every minute of it. They made eggs and everyone was really good to watch their kids & Prescott. But Prescott eating an egg by accident was on my mind all night. He had to stay in the highchair all night which one: he is too big for and two: he didn't want to stay in. But it was the only way to make sure we could keep track of where and what Prescott was eating. I cannot wait until the day that Prescott either outgrows this egg allergy or when he gets old enough to understand what he can and cannot eat. But once we ate dinner for breakfast and got it cleaned up I could relax and enjoy myself.

We have a red balloon tradition we do on Christmas Eve each year. We talk about Jesus and how he is the reason for Christmas and we are celebrating his birth. So we send a red balloon to Jesus and sing Happy Birthday to him. We also each get a red balloon to send to someone who is already in Heaven that we might be missing.

 I LOVE this tradition!

During the red balloon tradition Mafa, our nephew who has been in jail for the past year walked in and surprised everyone. He wasn't supposed to get out for another couple of weeks, so it was our Christmas miracle. Mafa went to jail right after he got married and during his sentence Cali his wife had their baby boy. It was a very emotional reunion and the perfect Christmas gift for the entire family. Now we all pray he will take a look at his life, his wife and his adorable baby boy and start making better choices for them.

After the red balloon release we exchange and open gifts. Prescott LOVES to open presents and was super excited until he realized the presents weren't cars. Thank goodness Brooklyn had his name and bought him a plane and car. But more importantly thanks to Uncle Dylan who gave it to him early because he cried at every other gift he opened. Uncle Dylan saved the day!

After G&G Bawden's activities we head over to Aunt Kelly for finger foods and visiting. Then we head home to get ready for Santa and do our own Christmas Eve traditions.

Paislee and Prescott got a letter from Santa (Grandma Huntsman) that had reindeer food inside. They were so excited to throw the reindeer food on the snow for the reindeer. Then they got to open a present from dad and mom.

Then they got Santa's treat ready for him. A cinnamon wreath with egg nog and carrots for his reindeer. They also put the special Santa key on the door that Mr. Peeps gave them. Santa was having a hard time getting in our house and so we needed to leave him a special key to get in our house.

After getting Santa's treat ready and out, we sit down together and read our favorite Christmas book. I Believe In Santa Claus, it compares Jesus and Santa with a special message to remind us why we are celebrating. I cry every time we read it!

Then mom and dad sign their good girl/boy certificate and they leave that with their stocking on their couch.

And then it is time for bed so Santa can come!