Every year except for last year (we had moved the week before Christmas last year) we have spent Christmas Eve with church family.  This tradition started because our first church home had services at a school four doors down from our house.  We invited people over after church, specifically people who didn't have family in town.  Then we spent Christmas Day with relatives, always fun too!

This year we were blessed to have 5 seminary families and 2 families from our church come over for Christmas Eve.  Rather than trying to do something late after Christmas Eve service, we changed it this year to a Christmas Eve potluck.  Considering all the seminary families with children had an average of 4 kids, our house and backyard was quite full but so much fun!  I was blessed that lots of food was brought so the amount of cooking I had to do was pretty limited.  God was kind enough to make the wind die down just for the party so we were all able to enjoy the backyard.  We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and had special cupcakes.  For the second time, we had a donut eating contest where donuts are hung on a string and you have to eat it without using your hands.  After the kids had a turn, the seminary men had a competition.  The winner was the host (and probably the most experienced donut competitor in the field) was my dearly loved husband!  We were also serenaded by a dear 11 yo boy who is quite accomplished on the violin.   We had a great time.

Then we did some quick change into church clothes and headed off for Christmas Eve service.  At the last minute, BW being the children's pastor decided it would be fun for the kids who were there to sing Jingle Bells and Away in a Manger.  Well, our kids ended being the only children at the service.  We discovered that we will NOT be the Von Trapp family!  Boy2 took one look at the crowd and attempted to hide behind the Christmas Tree.  Girl4 wanted the microphone to HER mouth(see Christmas Program below) and when she didn't have it said she wasn't singing - what a Diva!  Then once the singing began, she went over and hugged the Worship Pastor's leg as he was playing guitar.  I'm sure it was quite humorous to everyone except their mother!  Maybe a little practice would be in order before we try this again...and each kid have their own microphone:) or maybe they'll just retire early...

Then we went home where the kids usual tradition is to open one present - pajamas, usually matching.  But unfortunately, this year I ordered them online and they didn't arrive.  One of those things I had to work really hard not to let bother me and spoil my Christmas.  Fortunately, though, I had finished wrapping the night before and because no one got anything that needed to be put together, we were able to go to bed early and I don't even remember my head hitting the pillow. 

-J