Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve festivities kicked off with 3pm service at our church...such a beautiful service. My favorite part was (as always!) the candlelit portion during Silent Night. I love how the candles serve to remind us of The light that came into the world over 2000 years ago. Instead of a candle, kids got a glow stick. Ava thought it was the best thing ever...she kept waving it around extremely ferociously in between (and despite) our efforts to remind her we were in church. She must have kept "forgetting"...just so excited (and it cracked me up!). I also had flashbacks to Christmas Eve service growing up...standing next to my Grandma Louise...while she sang along to Silent Night in German.

Then it was off to Grammy J's for Christmas Eve dinner with the Fighter family, the Hayhurst family and...Uncle Pat and Lindsay joined us this year. Mom F. made the BEST beef tenderloin with twice baked potatoes, fresh green beans, rolls and salad. I about licked the plate. At around 7:30, Ava began telling us "I want to go home". She never wants to leave Grammy's, but she's no dummy and knew Santa was coming that night...and wanted to make sure she was at our house so he wouldn't miss his stop. We kept reassuring her that we would be going home to our house...which I think relieved her a bit, but it did not stop the persistent reminders:-)
The girls in front of our tree...
Ava so excited (if you look closely...you can see Kate picking her nose...sorry Kate...but Doug and I were cracking up at this...her new found discovery!)...
Doug and Grammy... Uncle Pat & Lindsay...Kate (aka Rudoloph)...

Ava opening presents with Grammy...Ava with her new headphones...Stockings hung by the chimney with care....

Our 2008 tree...after Santa came....

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