Christmas Eve

This year was a very different Christmas Eve for us. Usually we spend the whole day and night at my parents house, but because they just moved and finished construction and haven't had a chance to do much for Christmas, and the fact that we didn't want to leave all 3 dogs again, we decided to stay home. We had a really nice day together though. The kids and I spent the morning relaxing, baking our sugar cookies and decorating them, and making loaves of bread.
In the afternoon we went to the candlelight service at church. It was a wonderful service with great music, an amazing message, and beautiful candle lighting. I'm so glad we got to go and experience some of the true meaning of Christmas.

Afterwards we headed to Macaroni Grill for a nice Italian dinner. The kids loved their shirley temple drinks!
Once we got home it was time for the kids to open their presents that they bought for each other. They both saved up their money and were so excited to give each other something. Zoe gave Cooper a tiger Webkinz that he's been wanting.
Cooper gave Zoe a clock radio. She was so happy, she's been asking for one for months!
After baths and Christmas pajamas, we curled up on the couch with hot chocolate to watch "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Then it was time to put out cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa and to sprinkle the reindeer food on the grass that Cooper had made at school.
Can't wait to see what Santa brings in the morning!