Another traditional picture by the tree! Unfortunately it took some outtakes before Shannon got it right. All blurry…
#picturefail
Our tree before the presents get dispersed. Love it!
Once our mini photo session was completed, we headed down to my Nana’s and Tata’s for our traditional Christmas Eve celebration.
Nana made her traditional holiday punch while the nieces watched and waited for their cups.
The nieces then posed by the tree. I told them to hug each other, but it doesn’t look like Brooklyn was into it.
Nana entertained the girls with a story.
Once everyone arrived, it got busy!! Our family is loud and crazy when we are all together!
Shannon and I are always trying to get a “sisters” picture…this one is just okay…
Mousie entertained us by pretending to be a bee. She kept saying “buzz, buzz” and then Chad would pick her up and make her fly.
Mouse kept waiving her hands and making everyone laugh. But whenever I tried to take a picture of her, she put her hands down and just stared at the camera.
Finally, I got her!!
Love this picture with the nieces!!
Since we like to try to open presents as close to midnight as possible, Vanessa always brings some crafts or games to entertain the younger nieces and cousins.
They first started off making Christmas frames.
Kalea’s finished project. She’s still learning how to spell her name…
Then it was Christmas bingo…played with marshmallows.
And then finally time for presents. We have tried doing presents different ways in the past. On occasion we had each younger cousin open up 1 gift at a time, youngest to oldest or oldest to youngest. However, that takes forever and the kids generally get antsy after the 4th person opening their gift.
This year we just passed out the younger kids’ gifts and let them open it at their leisure. It was wild and I definitely missed out on what some of them got, but it saved a ton of time.
With the adults we do our yearly Secret Santa. Jeff picked Danny this year and insisted on buying him a bright pink t-shirt, 2 sizes too small. Danny tried it on for sport and then was given his real gift…a Best Buy gift card.
Although it can get CRAZY at my Nana’s and Tata’s with the whole family there, I know these are memories that will last a lifetime. I love it!
Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Don’t forget to put out some cookies and milk for Sandy Claus!
