Christmas Eve! 2007!
Well, after all the waiting, Christmas Eve arrived! We had 13 people at our house and it was a little crowded, but it was nice too! Carl's uncle, whose brother died this past October joined us as well as Carl's great Aunt who lives behind the family home in an apartment cottage. They usually spend Christmas Eve together (the 3 of them) but since the one uncle passed away, they weren't quite sure what they wanted to do. So they came to our house. I think they had a nice time celebrating Christmas Eve with us! Below (I never know where these photos end up!), I think, are some photos of the highlights. Cole getting his latest Webkinz, a black lab, Kaleigh getting her Lego house (started right in building on Christmas morning, Kaleigh and Cole with their Spongebob Lego's from Omi and Opa (lots of squealing on opening), Carl and his new office chair from his family (thank goodness his knees fit under the desk!) Then at he end, Cole and I with him in his new soft robe! It was a wonderful evening. Our traditions we began since the kids were born was to have dinner (Abelskeevers and sausage and applesauce), then the dad's take the kids in the car to go see the neat Christmas lights in one of the super crazy lighted neighborhoods, then while they are gone, the Kristkind comes and does His thing, and then the cars come home and we have our "Bescherung" or Sharing time. The kids each have a gift to give to the Kristkind, Kaleigh's gift was getting her room clean so the ladies could put their purses and coats in her room, and Cole read the Christmas Story. The candles were all lit and it was very cozy. Everyone enjoyed watching Cole and Kaleigh opening their gifts and we all got to watch each other open. Carl's parents were given the same thing from each couple (of which one of their children belonged). We decided to give them a nice restaurant gift card, so we each wrapped a box with a small gift and then put a $25.00 gift card in the box. So first they were all like, "oh, wow, thank you we will have to try this restaurant". Then the next one, "Oh, ok, now we can both go!" Then with the third, "oh well, now we can have dessert", and the last, "Oh and an appetizer too! " It was cute. I did keep one present for Kaleigh and Cole for Christmas Day, because I knew they would be looking at others opening and feel left out. They had a lot to open this year, so I may set aside more than one next year!