Christmas Eve

Christmas was about us being together as a little family of four this year.  I have to admit, I was not overly thrilled about not being with our larger families, but I tried really hard this year to change my attitude and embrace my time with Matt and our little ones.  It ended up being really nice!

Putting out the reindeer food...

Christmas Eve was an evening of Brown traditions--enjoying oyster stew (and chicken noodle soup for the kiddos) amongst our china.  Alex was very excited to be considered big enough to use the china and even drink out of a crystal goblet!

Before supper the kiddos enjoyed some Grinch Punch...

CHEERS!

After supper we put on our Christmas outfits and attempted some family pictures in front of our (now dead) beautiful tree!

Christmas Jammies!!

Brecke loved her Christmas Jammies!

Brecke got Alex a semi with "Bullwinkle" on the trailer!  Not sure which of them are more excited!! :) 

Aunt Kelli and Uncle Steve sent Brecke a guitar!

Great Uncle Larry and Great Aunt Virgene sent Alex a semi truck that he can take apart and put back together!!

Brecke got a Little Pony train!  Thanks UL and AV! 

A highlight of our holiday season was that our tree was FULL of presents.  Alex took up a
hobby of wrapping things this year!  You never know what you were going to get!
Here Daddy unwraps a 3 ring binder!  Alex was very proud of his wrapping! 

I had lots of help unwrapping!

We sent Daddy on a scavenger hunt to find his gift!

Daddy got a smoker!!!

Our church hosts a beautiful Christmas Eve candlelit service each year at 8PM, so after some great food, some yummy Christmas cookies, a couple of presents, we loaded up to celebrate Jesus' birth.

Alex was so excited to see that baby Jesus had arrived and was laying in the manager! I love singing the Christmas carols and having communion on such a special night!  Alex even got to hold the huge basket with the candles in it!  He was very proud!

On the way home we had two very tired kids.  The oldest of which decided by himself that Brecke could put out Santa's cookies and milk--he was going to bed.  He changed his clothes and marched upstairs and went straight to bed.  Too bad all nights aren't that easy! ;)  So, anyway...Brecke sat out the milk and cookies for the Big Man!

Before bed she wanted to play her guitar so Daddy tuned it a bit.  She looks just exhausted!!!

Christmas Eve was very nice and I know someday I will look back and be thankful to have had such a quiet night at home with just my family!  ...Off to bed in hopes Santa will find our home!