We had a nice quiet Christmas. The boys didn't wake up
until about 7:40, so we got to sleep in a bit. Everyone had
fun checking out their stockings and opening presents.
Then we enjoyed a big breakfast of cinnamon rolls,
scrambled eggs, suasages, and orange juice. Yum! It
was so nice just to be home and relax while the kids
played with their new toys. A very enjoyable day indeed!

. Traditions

Most Christmas Eve's since we have lived in Boise
have been spent with my brother-in-law and his
in-laws. His wife is from Mexico, so we get to
enjoy some authentic Mexican food. This year we
decided to stay home and do our own thing.
In my family, Christmas day dinner was always
Turkey Tostado's(Mexican food), which are really
yummy, but my husband hates them. Needless to
say I rarely get them on Christmas unless we go
home for Christmas! We decided to keep the
Mexican food theme as a Christmas Eve tradition,
but have lots of choices so everyone is happy.
We've also made brownie's and peppermint ice
cream a tradition.
Another tradition for us on Christmas Eve is to talk
about Jesus and read Christmas stories and sing
Christmas songs!
One last tradition I'll share is opening a new pair of
pajamas on Christmas Eve!

Gavin is an old pro at opening
presents now, since he just had
his birthday. He really loves
his Mickey Mouse pajamas!

I love Brogan's reaction when
he realized his pajamas were
Power Ranger ones.

Tressie, my sister, is in an institute choir.
The choir did a Christmas program and we were
able to go to it. They asked that any little kids in the
choir members families who wanted to dress up
in nativity costumes could participate in one of
their numbers. Brogan wanted to be a shepherd.
He looked so cute and was so brave to walk up on
stage by himself.
It was a really neat program. They did some
spiritual songs and some funny ones. We had
a good time. Thanks, Tressie, for inviting us!

.

For Christmas a few years ago, my mom gave us these
cute "Count the Days 'til Christmas" bags. Each bag is
filled with a slip of paper with a scripture and a family
activity written on it, and a small surprise-like a piece
of candy or a little toy or sticker. It has become a fun
tradition for me and my family. My kids can hardly
wait to open a Christmas Bag each night!

This was one of the family activities-Make funny
faces and take a picture!

We had a great (early) birthday party for Gavin
with his cousins, but we had to celebrate on his
real birthday too. He had lots of fun opening
presents. Brogan was trying very hard to be
happy for his little brother and not be jealous.
We have a birthday tradition in our family;
Whoever's birthday it is gets to pick what they
want for their special birthday dinner. Gavin
picked Mac &Cheese (surprise, surprise), jello,
cheesy bread, and green beans. For dessert he
chose lemon cake! YUM YUM!
Anyway, I think he had a fun day!