Christmas Eve 2014

My dad came! So did all of my step siblings! We had two separate gatherings.

The morning was relaxing. I thought I would go for a jog, but instead I held Julia most of the day. She took a nap in her crib for five seconds, and then I held her for the rest of her 15 minute nap. I tried to Sleep also but I heard the boys whining downstairs. So I did not nap or go for a jog, but I did prepare pink puff salad and green being casserole. 

We had planned I'm going to my moms earlier but we're actually late. We were supposed to be there at 3 PM. Don welcomed everyone and had a prayer on the turkey and ham dinner. He asked if anybody else wanted to say anything about Christmas and trace told us the real meaning about Christmas is the baby Jesus is born. He is so sweet.

The talent show was short because we had to go. Jonathan and Olivia sang a Christmas song and played the ukuleles. Bruce's family did that silent monk song. Steven and grandma told jokes.

We were an hour late to Julianne's house. My dad was already there. They had not started eating yet. Julia was so so so happy to see her cousin Clara. It was her happiest she had been all day.

We stayed a long time since we got there late. We let our kids play their wii. When we got home, we had to put the kids in bed and then I got to work. Well I found some Christmas PJ pants for Julia and took her photo in them.

Then I found some Christmas PJs and took more photos.

I had not wrapped anything and Julia did not even have a stocking. I feel like I have been in survival mode for a long time. So I wrapped, cleaned, put up all of the snowflakes I have had laminated, and so did Julia her first stocking. I will probably still order her one to match the boys but she needed something for new toothbrush from Santa.

I almost moved our Christmas tree into the living room, but that would be at least a two person job. It was kind of weird not having it in the living room. But it was so big that we had to put it where Julia wouldn't have acess to it 24/7. We had to cut the top off to get it to fit in under our ceiling. We also took a leaf out of our table. Our dining room table still barely fits in the room.

I went to sleep about 4:30 AM. It was so worth it. I love the magic of Christmas.