'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Christmas eve was filled with all of the excitement and anticipation that comes with knowing that Santa is readying his last few bundles of toys and will soon be on his way. London was dutifully watching the clock to make sure we stayed on schedule for the evening. She was concerned that if we ran late Santa would pass us by. Poppy and Myrt arrived and our Christmas eve celebration themed "A Night of Remembering' officially began. We remembered our heritage with a Cajun Christmas Dinner (turducken, shrimp gumbo, maux choux and southern pecan pie).

Brandon and I had gumbo duty...Yummy! Our menu was obviously in honor of Poppy and Myrt's Louisiana roots.

Our 'remembering' continued as we gathered around a cozy fire and the warm glow of the Christmas tree.





We remembered the beautiful miracle of the Savior's humble birth as Larry read the Christmas story from Luke.

And we remembered that the Savior continues to bless our lives-especially when we look for His hand in our life everyday. Click here to see the short video clip that reminded us of the importance of doing so. Leather bound journals were given as a Christmas eve gift along with a challenge to look for (and record) one way each day that we had seen the Lord's hand in our life. We're almost finished with what was a one month challenge...how are we doing guys?

And it wouldn't be Christmas eve without Christmas jammies! When London put her new cheetah pj's on, Drew immediately ran over to her, softly touched them and sweetly said, "London a cute giraffe!" He liked Jace's guitar pj's because they were "rock and roll" and wanted to wear his own "blue skiing santas" for most of the remaining holiday!

The stocking's were hung and most settled in for a long winter's nap.


Notice-no jammies for Larry and I just yet...we still have a bit to do before our winter nap!

Cookies and milk for Santa, celery and carrots for the reindeer...

...and old fashioned soda's for the rest of us!




And although we did miss them we didn't forget Dallen and ShaLyse. As you can see, earlier in the day, they bundled up for their ride "over the river and through the woods to (ShaLyse's) grandmother's house." Willing to share with Sally, Rollie and Grandma Dot!