Christmas Eve is always a busy time around out house. There is a lot to be done before the big man arrives.
First we need to get the cookies baked and decorated for the party and also a couple for Santa.
After the cookies were artfully decorated by Talan we set up the table for our Hot Chocolate bar.
Jason and the boys eagerly awaiting the Christmas Eve Party.
The boys are so excited for the party tonight Talan keeps asking if it is time to leave yet.
Two of my favorite people in the whole world.
Grandma Christensen's birthday is just a couple of days before Christmas and Talan made her this cheerful card for her birthday.
There is never a shortage of food at the party.
Can you tell how excited Talan is?
After dinner we always play the dice game which is always the highlight of the night.
We had tons of white elephant gifts to win. Sometimes if you are lucky there is some cash taped on to the gift.
Lincoln just wanted to open the gift. Who cares about the dice.
Talan is the proud new owner of these awesome glasses.
I think we just found a couple of Santa's reindeer.
We final had to go and find Linx some of his own dice because he wanted to roll for everyone.
We were even lucky enough to get to hear some harmonica Christmas Carols thanks to Linx.
Last year Talan won some pink socks, this year it was a mermaid. Which got the thumbs down.
Everyone tried out the funny glasses
and I do mean EVERYONE!
I think that the funny glasses and the antlers were everyones favorite prize.
Even when Daddy looks silly Linx will still give him kisses.
Jason and Lincoln playing with the dice. Everytime Jason would roll them Lincoln would just laugh.
Talan and grandma were the camera crew for the evening.
The later the night got the sillier things became.
This is the photo that comes up on my phone every time Jason calls me. It always makes me laugh.
This just might be next years Christmas card family photo.
Before the night was over we headed down to the game room for a few games of pool.
Playing pool is one of the boys' favorite things to do at grandma Christensens'.
It was getting late so we headed home to make some hot chocolate and call it a night.
The boys enjoyed the hot chocolate. The chocolate dipped spoons made it even better.
Lincoln decided that he needed a little snack. We have to hide the crutons because if we don't he will eat the whole bag.
Lincoln
After consuming so much sugar it was a miracle that the boys went to bed.
Before going to bed we had to put out the reindeer food. We sure don't want poor Rudolph to go hunger.
Talan out front sprinkling the oats around the lawn for the reindeer to snack on while waiting for Santa to deliver the gifts.
Talan got a plate of cookies and a cup of hot chocolate ready for Santa.
Every Christmas Eve the boys get to open one present.
Surprise! It was PJs.
Doesn't Talan look so excited about the PJs.
Talan was so disappointed in the PJs he actually started crying. I actually think it was extreme exhustion.
Before the boys were tucked in for the night we had to check to see where Santa was at.
All day we kept checking to see how close Santa was to our house.
After a nice warm bath and putting on their new comfy pjs it was time for bed.
We read a couple of Christmas stories.
Lincoln wanted to sleep in Talan's bed.
Finally the boys were in bed.
I love Christmas Eve, almost more than Christmas Day. The excitement in thick enough to cut through. Talan can't wait to see what the big guy will bring him. He has been excitedly cutting down his Christmas chain. Christmas Eve is always busy with baking cookies, decorating the table and the Christensen Family Party. I love all the traditions that our family has. All the traditions make for a busy day but the smiles I receive make it all worth it. My favorite part of the day is just getting to spend it with the family.
